The protection that roller shutters offer when closed gives business owners peace of mind that their premises are safe and secure. They’re essential to deter thieves, shield properties against the elements, and improve energy efficiency.
However, for roller shutters to be effective, they must be well-maintained to ensure they stay functional. All mechanical systems can stop working correctly if they’re damaged – and nobody wants to suddenly discover a broken shutter that won’t open.
In a situation like this, you’ll need to call for emergency roller shutter repairs if you want to get things up and running ASAP.
At Roller Shutter UK, we’re no stranger to 24/7 repairs for faulty mechanical doors. Always available to fix roller doors across the North West, our comprehensive experience means we’re ready to repair common problems quickly.
Here are some situations that often require emergency shutter repairs – which you can call us on 0800 328 9356 for help with.
1) Daily wear and tear
When roller shutters are used almost every single day, they’re often taken for granted. This is especially true for commercial properties, where a shutter might be rolled up and down multiple days a day without a second thought.
The friction between frequently moving parts or abrasion where the curtain connects with the guide channels can cause wear and tear over time, leading to surface damage, alignment issues, and eventual operational difficulties.
This decline in effectiveness can be made worse by improper handling, as regularly being too forceful can cause impact damage and premature wear. Environmental factors, such as pollutants, chemicals, and debris, can also contribute.
Cumulative wear and tear can lead to a sudden breakdown if you don’t stay on top of operational rules and maintenance.
2) Vandalism or break-in
While roller shutters are usually effective deterrents, sometimes vandals and thieves try their luck damaging the shutter and trying to gain access. It may sound extreme, but some criminals even attempt to drive vehicles directly into shutters.
Intentional damage, whether using chemicals, fire, or powerful impacts, can cause severe damage to the shutter structure. Even if the shutter remains mostly intact, its stability and the security of the premises will still be compromised.
Never underestimate roller shutter damage from vandalism or break-in attempts, as it is likely to be much worse internally than just the dents or deformation visible from the outside. It’s important to have the system professionally evaluated right away.
Prompt repairs are crucial to restoring effective shutters and security for entry points, as your property will otherwise be left vulnerable.
3) Accidental collision
In some cases, vehicles might drive into a shutter or the guides by accident. In commercial and industrial settings, accidental collisions with shutters aren’t unusual, as large and bulky vehicles are frequently moving through and around these access points.
No matter if the collision is caused by a car, van, lorry, or plant machinery, and whether it occurs because of driver errors due to blind spots or accidents during loading or unloading, such a heavy impact is likely to dislodge slats and cause deformities.
In severe instances, an accidental vehicle collision can also result in structural damage to the frame and even parts of the building around the roller shutter. Again, it’s crucial to have an expert assess the shutter system before conducting repairs.
4) Extreme weather
It’s essential to maintain roller shutters throughout the seasons, as their performance can be affected by different weather extremes. For example, severe storms with high winds can exert strong forces and blow debris into shutters.
We’re familiar with roller shutter repairs after winter weather damage, but they may be needed in the summer months, too. High temperatures can cause motors to overheat and lubrication to dry out, causing them to malfunction.
From moisture build-up and corrosion to parts contracting and expanding, there’s more than just dings and scratches at stake. If components are weakened, a shutter could come loose or even fall off completely and damage other property.
Even mild deterioration can continue to develop through repeated seasonal damage until it results in mechanical failure.
5) Lack of maintenance
As mentioned above, consistent wear and tear through daily use – especially careless or rough handling – and lack of upkeep through the seasons can contribute to increasing damage, thereby shortening the lifespan of your roller shutters.
We’ve discussed what failure to maintain roller shutters can lead to before on our blog – but generally, you can expect lack of maintenance to result in build-ups of debris and moisture and worn-out parts that stop functioning earlier than they should.
From broken springs to misaligned slats to burnt-out motors, if you don’t carry out regular maintenance checks and have your roller shutters professionally serviced at least once a year, they’re more likely to break down suddenly.
So, when you overlook regular upkeep, you’ll face bigger problems down the line – like an emergency repair for a stuck shutter.
Reach out for roller shutter repairs
These are some of the most common ways your roller shutters can become damaged or stop working, requiring an emergency call-out. At Roller Shutter UK, our team is always equipped and ready to repair roller doors, sectional doors, and security doors.
Not only do we offer roller shutter repairs and replacements, but we can also provide safety posts to help protect your shutters against vehicle impacts (whether accidental or intentional). We’re happy to deliver tailored solutions to meet your specific needs.
If you find yourself with damaged shutters or broken-down roller doors that need attention ASAP, you can call us any time, and we’ll be right with you to conduct high-quality repairs while keeping disruption to a minimum.
You can also ring Roller Shutter UK for answers to any questions about our services, or send an email to info@rollershutterservices.co.uk and we’ll be in touch with more information.