Commercial garage doors work harder than almost any other moving system in a business. They open dozens — sometimes hundreds — of times per day, carry heavier loads, and are expected to perform without fail.
Yet many businesses only think about service after a door stops working.
The Short Answer: At Least Twice a Year
For most commercial doors, professional service is recommended every 6 months. High-traffic environments may need quarterly inspections.
That schedule isn’t about upselling — it’s about wear patterns that occur long before visible failure.
Why Commercial Doors Need More Frequent Service Than Residential
Commercial garage doors face challenges residential doors don’t:
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Heavier steel panels
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Stronger springs under extreme tension
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Continuous daily cycling
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Exposure to forklifts, pallets, trucks, and equipment
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Temperature swings inside warehouses and loading bays
These conditions accelerate wear even when doors appear to be “working fine.”
What Happens When Service Is Skipped
Skipping regular service doesn’t save money — it delays costs until they’re bigger and more disruptive.
Common consequences include:
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Springs breaking during business hours
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Doors getting stuck halfway open
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Openers burning out from excessive strain
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Tracks pulling loose from walls
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Safety sensors failing when they’re needed most
For businesses, downtime often costs far more than the repair itself.
High-Traffic Doors Need Special Attention
Doors used for shipping, receiving, or fleet access wear out faster than storefront or storage doors.
If a door opens more than 20–30 times per day, it should be inspected more frequently. Rollers, cables, hinges, and drums experience fatigue that isn’t obvious until failure occurs.
Safety Isn’t Optional for Commercial Properties
Commercial garage doors are subject to safety expectations that go beyond convenience.
Poorly maintained doors can:
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Drop unexpectedly
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Fail to reverse
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Close unevenly
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Create pinch-point hazards
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Put employees and customers at risk
Regular servicing ensures safety systems function correctly and reduces liability exposure.
Preventive Maintenance Protects Expensive Components
Openers, springs, and door sections are expensive to replace. Preventive service keeps smaller components from damaging major ones.
A worn roller can destroy a track. A misaligned door can burn out an opener. A frayed cable can snap without warning.
Servicing stops small issues before they escalate.
What a Proper Commercial Service Includes
A professional commercial garage door service typically covers:
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Spring tension checks
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Cable and drum inspection
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Roller and bearing evaluation
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Track alignment and mounting inspection
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Hardware tightening
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Opener stress testing
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Safety system verification
This isn’t a quick spray-and-go — it’s a system-wide inspection.
Planned Maintenance vs. Emergency Repairs
Emergency commercial repairs almost always happen at the worst possible time — during peak business hours or after-hours when access is critical.
Scheduled maintenance allows repairs to be planned, budgeted, and completed without disrupting operations.
The Smart Approach for Business Owners
Commercial garage doors aren’t just entry points — they’re part of your operational backbone.
Regular service keeps doors reliable, protects employees, prevents costly downtime, and extends the life of your investment.
At State Line Garage Doors, commercial service is built around keeping businesses moving — not reacting after things break.