How Can I Maintain My Automatic Door?
Automatic doors provide visitors with their first impression of your business. They enhance accessibility, which is a vital aspect for providing a smooth customer journey. That’s why automatic doors need to consistently operate efficiently. Otherwise, it can result in complications ranging from safety hazards and costly repairs to downtime and legal compliance. Automatic door maintenance is a proactive solution to preventing issues with swing, sliding and revolving doors.
Why Automatic Door Maintenance is Important
Maintenance is vital for automatic doors as they keep them operating seamlessly, keeping your business accessible and legally compliant with BS EN 16005 standards. When automatic doors are working like they should, it can be easy to ignore maintenance. The problem with this is that over time, automatic doors can stick, drag or just not provide reliable access to your premises.
This is more than a minor annoyance, it can come with serious consequences such as fines, legal penalties and can be harmful to the reputation of your business. All it takes is one unpleasant experience to deter customers. The occasional maintenance and servicing go a long way in keeping automatic doors working smoothly.

Benefits of Regular Maintenance
For any business, making sure customers, clients and visitors can enter your premises easily is essential. Automatic doors play a key role in accessibility, helping people of all abilities move in and out of a building safely and comfortably.
Regular maintenance also helps reduce the risk of faults, breakdowns or unexpected malfunctions. A poorly maintained door may struggle to open or close correctly, which can inconvenience visitors, restrict access or leave doors stuck open. This can lead to unnecessary heat loss, higher energy costs and potential security concerns.
By scheduling routine maintenance, potential issues can be identified and resolved early. This helps keep doors operating smoothly, maintains energy efficiency and supports a safe, reliable entrance for everyone using the building.
Risks of Neglecting Maintenance
Your automatic doors might be functioning seamlessly right now, but daily use inevitably leads to gradual wear and tear. Small issues such as debris in the track, sensor obstructions or minor alignment problems can easily go unnoticed. Over time, however, these seemingly minor faults can escalate into more serious problems that affect motors, sensors and other mechanical components.
Without regular maintenance, the risk of system failure increases significantly. Misaligned doors, unreliable sensors or excessive strain on the motor can lead to sudden breakdowns and unexpected disruption. In many cases, these are problems that could’ve been avoided with some basic servicing, and instead can result in costly emergency repairs and downtime.
Key Components to Check During Automatic Door Maintenance
When carrying out basic checks on automatic doors, start with the most visible components. Tracks, hinges, motion sensors and rollers are often the easiest areas to inspect. In many cases, issues are caused by a simple build up of dirt or debris within the track or around moving parts. Keeping these areas clean can help prevent unnecessary strain on the system.

It can also be helpful to approach the doors from different angles to see how the sensors respond. The doors should open smoothly and consistently without hesitation. While doing this, pay attention to how the doors move along the tracks and check if they’re gliding as smoothly as expected.
Motors and drive mechanisms should also be assessed. Unusual noises such as grinding, knocking or excessive vibration can indicate wear within mechanical components. It is also important to be aware of any signs of overheating. Identifying these early can help prevent more serious faults and avoid the need for costly repairs or component replacement.
How Often Should I Get My Automatic Door Serviced
Automatic doors should be serviced at least once a year in buildings with average levels of foot traffic. In high traffic environments such as hospitals, supermarkets and retail stores, maintenance is recommended every three to six months. This will help keep businesses compliant with BS EN 16005 standards, PUWER 1998 regulations and the Health and Safety at Work etc Act.
Northern Doors Solutions (NDS) has over 40 years of experience in helping businesses by providing tailored automatic door servicing and maintenance. Each service plan is designed around the specific needs of the site, taking into account factors such as door type, usage and operational requirements.
Our experts work closely with customers to create a structured service and maintenance schedule to provide peace of mind. This bespoke plan helps ensure automatic doors of all types remain safe, compliant and operating seamlessly.
Tips to Maximise the Lifespan of Your Automatic Doors
Along with occasional maintenance, we’ve provided some additional helpful tips to assist you with extending the longevity of your automatic doors. Let’s begin with the most common and easiest: regular cleaning. Keeping your premises clean is important and that should extend to your automatic doors. Simple daily tasks such as removing dust, dirt and debris from tracks is not only important for cleanliness, it’s a proactive step in preserving your automatic doors.
Small maintenance practices can also make a big difference. Lubrication of hinges, rollers and moving parts helps maintain them and keep your doors operating smoothly. There’s still no replacement for professional support, so make sure to schedule routine inspections with experts to ensure your doors are gliding effortlessly.
Keep Your Automatic Door Safe and Efficient with Northern Doors
Northern Door Solutions (NDS) is a trusted provider of automatic door services for businesses across the UK. With four decades of experience, our team specialises in delivering reliable installations, professional repairs and tailored servicing. NDS also offers responsive 24/7 maintenance support, helping businesses minimise disruption, maintain compliance and ensure their automatic doors remain dependable.
Reach out to our helpful team by filling out our simple contact form, calling us on 0330 133 3795 or emailing us at service@northerndoorsolutions.co.uk.
