
Metal roller shutters are designed to endure the wear and tear of regular use for many years, but extreme weather conditions can take a greater toll on these mechanical systems in a much shorter period of time.
When it comes to external roller shutters and mechanical doors, winter weather patterns are especially notorious for causing a lot of problems, with freezing temperatures bringing ice and snow alongside heavy rain and strong winds.
Severe precipitation and wind can be damaging to various parts of roller shutter systems, resulting in operational issues that can cause safety hazards, security risks, and disruptions to important daily activities.
It’s vital to be vigilant throughout the coldest and wettest months of the year to make sure your roller shutters are still in good shape when spring arrives, helping you prevent long-term issues from developing.
Common roller shutter problems in cold and wet weather
As roller shutters are essential for the security, privacy, safety, and energy efficiency of all kinds of premises, the last thing any property owner should do is neglect roller shutter maintenance.
This is particularly crucial in winter, as overlooking small problems can lead to them becoming serious issues under the pressures of cold and wet conditions – in turn leading to early failure and breakdowns.
Shutter damage from low temperatures
Freezing low temperatures increase tension by causing materials to contract. This includes metal panels, which can become warped and misaligned within frames, and metal springs, which can tighten and become brittle.
Additionally, the cold can cause grease and lubricants within the system to harden, resulting in even more friction between stiff components when you try to operate the door. Whether its movement is jerky or the door is jammed completely, trying to force frozen shutters only risks damaging the parts even more.
Shutter damage from water and wind
Excessive rain, hail, and snow can also damage roller shutters, with moisture finding its way inside the system leading to rust and corrosion. If heavy rain causes floods, this can also damage electrical components, causing motor and sensor failures.
Powerful winds can put high pressures on shutter doors, potentially causing structural damage and detachment in extreme cases. On the less severe end, strong winds can still blow debris of all types and sizes into the door, which can dent the panels or clog the tracks.
Repairing shutters after weather damage
If you wake up one winter morning to find your roller shutter exhibiting any of the signs mentioned above after freezing cold weather or serious storms, you should never try to force the shutter open or attempt DIY repairs.
This is likely to cause further external and internal damage to the roller shutter system, meaning the necessary repairs will take longer and cost more – especially if your shutter is already more than 10–15 years old.
In any of these scenarios, you shouldn’t hesitate to call for emergency roller shutter repairs, as expert engineers can come to inspect your malfunctioning shutter, diagnose the issue, and carry out repairs as quickly as possible.
Call for emergency roller shutter repairs without delay
If you need immediate solutions for weather-related roller shutter damage, don’t compromise the functionality, safety, and security of your shutter any further with inexperienced repair attempts – call out professionals like the Roller Shutter UK team.
You can call 0800 328 9356 at any time of day or night for 24/7 emergency shutter repair services, and an engineer will come to your premises within the next few hours with the equipment to fix your shutter.
We complete most repairs on the same day, but if there is a more serious issue or we need to source specific parts that aren’t in our inventory, we aim to finish the job by the end of the next working day.
If your shutter is beyond repair, we can help you design a custom replacement with our roller shutter supply and fitting service.
We also offer ongoing maintenance services, which are beneficial to help prevent sudden breakdowns by checking over the system at least once or twice a year – allowing repairs to be carried out before minor faults can develop into serious ones.
Simply call us on the phone number above, or if you’re interested in roller shutter servicing or ordering a new roller shutter system, email us at info@rollershutterservices.co.uk with your information and we’ll get back to you.