Pick the kind of opening and what it is doing. You get what that combination usually indicates, what to check yourself first, and which line of work it falls under — including when it is not work for us at all. All forty-eight outcomes are on this page whether or not scripting is on.
Choose one from each step to see what that combination usually indicates.
Storefront entry that will not latch
What it most often means. On a storefront entry, the latch and the strike have stopped meeting where they were set — most often because the leaf has dropped, the frame has moved, or the strike has worked loose. Aluminum stile-and-rail entries carry their weight on pivots or offset hinges, so faults here usually start as geometry and only look like hardware.
Worth checking before you call
- Look down the latch edge at the gap between leaf and frame. If it is wider at one end than the other, the leaf has dropped or the frame has racked.
- Check the strike is tight in the frame and that its lip is not bent back.
- Close it slowly by hand and watch where the latch bolt lands against the strike.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Storefront entry that will not close fully
What it most often means. On a storefront entry, something is stopping the leaf before it reaches the stop — most often a closer that has lost its power, a leaf catching at the floor, or an obstruction in the frame rabbet. Aluminum stile-and-rail entries carry their weight on pivots or offset hinges, so faults here usually start as geometry and only look like hardware.
Worth checking before you call
- Open it halfway and let go. If it stops at the same point every time, look at the closer before the leaf.
- Check the threshold and the floor covering for anything the bottom edge is dragging on.
- Look along the rabbet for packing, debris or a stop that has been knocked in.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Storefront entry that binds
What it most often means. On a storefront entry, the leaf and the frame are no longer square to one another, or a hinge has worn — most often the two together, since one causes the other over time. Aluminum stile-and-rail entries carry their weight on pivots or offset hinges, so faults here usually start as geometry and only look like hardware.
Worth checking before you call
- Find the rub mark. Bright metal or worn paint tells you exactly where it is catching.
- Check the hinge screws on the frame leaf; screws pulling out of a hollow frame are common.
- Note whether it binds all year or only in certain weather, which points at the wall rather than the door.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Storefront entry that slams
What it most often means. On a storefront entry, the closer is out of adjustment or has failed — closing speed and latching speed are separate settings and both drift as the unit ages. Aluminum stile-and-rail entries carry their weight on pivots or offset hinges, so faults here usually start as geometry and only look like hardware.
Worth checking before you call
- Look for oil on the closer body or running down the leaf. A leaking closer will not hold an adjustment.
- Note whether it slams from wide open or only over the last few inches.
- Check the arm is still tight at the closer and at the bracket.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Storefront entry that will not lock
What it most often means. On a storefront entry, the bolt is not entering the strike cleanly, or the cylinder itself has reached the end of its life. Aluminum stile-and-rail entries carry their weight on pivots or offset hinges, so faults here usually start as geometry and only look like hardware.
Worth checking before you call
- Throw the bolt with the door standing open. If it works there, the fault is alignment and not the lock.
- Check whether the key turns fully or stops partway round.
- Look at the strike for a bolt hole that has worn oval.
Where this sits. If the item simply wore out, a repair contractor replacing like for like is the shorter route. If the function never suited the room, that is a specification job and it is ours. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Hardware Installation.
Storefront entry that has a damaged frame
What it most often means. On a storefront entry, the frame is the job. A leaf hung in a frame that has corroded, been forced or racked will not stay right however carefully it is fitted. Aluminum stile-and-rail entries carry their weight on pivots or offset hinges, so faults here usually start as geometry and only look like hardware.
Worth checking before you call
- Press the bottom six inches of both jambs. Corroded steel gives under a thumb.
- Look at the rabbet around the strike for spread metal or tool marks.
- Sight along the head from one side to check it has not bowed.
Where this sits. A damaged frame is replaced rather than adjusted, and the wall type decides how. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
Storefront entry that has broken hardware
What it most often means. On a storefront entry, a component has reached the end of its service life. The question worth asking is whether the replacement should match what is there, or correct a specification that never suited the room. Aluminum stile-and-rail entries carry their weight on pivots or offset hinges, so faults here usually start as geometry and only look like hardware.
Worth checking before you call
- Note which item it is: lock, closer, exit device, hinge, or something electrified.
- Look for a manufacturer name and a model number stamped on the item itself.
- Ask whether it failed early. If it did, the grade or the function is worth revisiting rather than repeating.
Where this sits. If the item simply wore out, a repair contractor replacing like for like is the shorter route. If the function never suited the room, that is a specification job and it is ours. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Hardware Installation.
Storefront entry that is not installed yet
What it most often means. On a storefront entry, this is a supply and install job, and the order is the part most likely to go wrong. Almost every bad install is decided at the purchase order rather than at the tool. Aluminum stile-and-rail entries carry their weight on pivots or offset hinges, so faults here usually start as geometry and only look like hardware.
Worth checking before you call
- Measure the opening itself rather than reading a size off a drawing.
- Establish the wall type — masonry, stud partition or storefront framing — because it decides the anchors.
- Check whether the opening has to be rated, which constrains most of the rest.
Where this sits. Nothing is ordered until the opening has been measured. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Installation.
Hollow metal door that will not latch
What it most often means. On a hollow metal door, the latch and the strike have stopped meeting where they were set — most often because the leaf has dropped, the frame has moved, or the strike has worked loose. A steel leaf in a steel frame rarely moves on its own, so when one of these goes wrong the frame or its anchors are usually part of the story.
Worth checking before you call
- Look down the latch edge at the gap between leaf and frame. If it is wider at one end than the other, the leaf has dropped or the frame has racked.
- Check the strike is tight in the frame and that its lip is not bent back.
- Close it slowly by hand and watch where the latch bolt lands against the strike.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Hollow metal door that will not close fully
What it most often means. On a hollow metal door, something is stopping the leaf before it reaches the stop — most often a closer that has lost its power, a leaf catching at the floor, or an obstruction in the frame rabbet. A steel leaf in a steel frame rarely moves on its own, so when one of these goes wrong the frame or its anchors are usually part of the story.
Worth checking before you call
- Open it halfway and let go. If it stops at the same point every time, look at the closer before the leaf.
- Check the threshold and the floor covering for anything the bottom edge is dragging on.
- Look along the rabbet for packing, debris or a stop that has been knocked in.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Hollow metal door that binds
What it most often means. On a hollow metal door, the leaf and the frame are no longer square to one another, or a hinge has worn — most often the two together, since one causes the other over time. A steel leaf in a steel frame rarely moves on its own, so when one of these goes wrong the frame or its anchors are usually part of the story.
Worth checking before you call
- Find the rub mark. Bright metal or worn paint tells you exactly where it is catching.
- Check the hinge screws on the frame leaf; screws pulling out of a hollow frame are common.
- Note whether it binds all year or only in certain weather, which points at the wall rather than the door.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Hollow metal door that slams
What it most often means. On a hollow metal door, the closer is out of adjustment or has failed — closing speed and latching speed are separate settings and both drift as the unit ages. A steel leaf in a steel frame rarely moves on its own, so when one of these goes wrong the frame or its anchors are usually part of the story.
Worth checking before you call
- Look for oil on the closer body or running down the leaf. A leaking closer will not hold an adjustment.
- Note whether it slams from wide open or only over the last few inches.
- Check the arm is still tight at the closer and at the bracket.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Hollow metal door that will not lock
What it most often means. On a hollow metal door, the bolt is not entering the strike cleanly, or the cylinder itself has reached the end of its life. A steel leaf in a steel frame rarely moves on its own, so when one of these goes wrong the frame or its anchors are usually part of the story.
Worth checking before you call
- Throw the bolt with the door standing open. If it works there, the fault is alignment and not the lock.
- Check whether the key turns fully or stops partway round.
- Look at the strike for a bolt hole that has worn oval.
Where this sits. If the item simply wore out, a repair contractor replacing like for like is the shorter route. If the function never suited the room, that is a specification job and it is ours. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Hardware Installation.
Hollow metal door that has a damaged frame
What it most often means. On a hollow metal door, the frame is the job. A leaf hung in a frame that has corroded, been forced or racked will not stay right however carefully it is fitted. A steel leaf in a steel frame rarely moves on its own, so when one of these goes wrong the frame or its anchors are usually part of the story.
Worth checking before you call
- Press the bottom six inches of both jambs. Corroded steel gives under a thumb.
- Look at the rabbet around the strike for spread metal or tool marks.
- Sight along the head from one side to check it has not bowed.
Where this sits. A damaged frame is replaced rather than adjusted, and the wall type decides how. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
Hollow metal door that has broken hardware
What it most often means. On a hollow metal door, a component has reached the end of its service life. The question worth asking is whether the replacement should match what is there, or correct a specification that never suited the room. A steel leaf in a steel frame rarely moves on its own, so when one of these goes wrong the frame or its anchors are usually part of the story.
Worth checking before you call
- Note which item it is: lock, closer, exit device, hinge, or something electrified.
- Look for a manufacturer name and a model number stamped on the item itself.
- Ask whether it failed early. If it did, the grade or the function is worth revisiting rather than repeating.
Where this sits. If the item simply wore out, a repair contractor replacing like for like is the shorter route. If the function never suited the room, that is a specification job and it is ours. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Hardware Installation.
Hollow metal door that is not installed yet
What it most often means. On a hollow metal door, this is a supply and install job, and the order is the part most likely to go wrong. Almost every bad install is decided at the purchase order rather than at the tool. A steel leaf in a steel frame rarely moves on its own, so when one of these goes wrong the frame or its anchors are usually part of the story.
Worth checking before you call
- Measure the opening itself rather than reading a size off a drawing.
- Establish the wall type — masonry, stud partition or storefront framing — because it decides the anchors.
- Check whether the opening has to be rated, which constrains most of the rest.
Where this sits. Nothing is ordered until the opening has been measured. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Installation.
Interior corridor door that will not latch
What it most often means. On a interior corridor door, the latch and the strike have stopped meeting where they were set — most often because the leaf has dropped, the frame has moved, or the strike has worked loose. Corridor leaves are lighter and closer-controlled, and more of them belong to a rated assembly than most people expect.
Worth checking before you call
- Look down the latch edge at the gap between leaf and frame. If it is wider at one end than the other, the leaf has dropped or the frame has racked.
- Check the strike is tight in the frame and that its lip is not bent back.
- Close it slowly by hand and watch where the latch bolt lands against the strike.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Interior corridor door that will not close fully
What it most often means. On a interior corridor door, something is stopping the leaf before it reaches the stop — most often a closer that has lost its power, a leaf catching at the floor, or an obstruction in the frame rabbet. Corridor leaves are lighter and closer-controlled, and more of them belong to a rated assembly than most people expect.
Worth checking before you call
- Open it halfway and let go. If it stops at the same point every time, look at the closer before the leaf.
- Check the threshold and the floor covering for anything the bottom edge is dragging on.
- Look along the rabbet for packing, debris or a stop that has been knocked in.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Interior corridor door that binds
What it most often means. On a interior corridor door, the leaf and the frame are no longer square to one another, or a hinge has worn — most often the two together, since one causes the other over time. Corridor leaves are lighter and closer-controlled, and more of them belong to a rated assembly than most people expect.
Worth checking before you call
- Find the rub mark. Bright metal or worn paint tells you exactly where it is catching.
- Check the hinge screws on the frame leaf; screws pulling out of a hollow frame are common.
- Note whether it binds all year or only in certain weather, which points at the wall rather than the door.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Interior corridor door that slams
What it most often means. On a interior corridor door, the closer is out of adjustment or has failed — closing speed and latching speed are separate settings and both drift as the unit ages. Corridor leaves are lighter and closer-controlled, and more of them belong to a rated assembly than most people expect.
Worth checking before you call
- Look for oil on the closer body or running down the leaf. A leaking closer will not hold an adjustment.
- Note whether it slams from wide open or only over the last few inches.
- Check the arm is still tight at the closer and at the bracket.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Interior corridor door that will not lock
What it most often means. On a interior corridor door, the bolt is not entering the strike cleanly, or the cylinder itself has reached the end of its life. Corridor leaves are lighter and closer-controlled, and more of them belong to a rated assembly than most people expect.
Worth checking before you call
- Throw the bolt with the door standing open. If it works there, the fault is alignment and not the lock.
- Check whether the key turns fully or stops partway round.
- Look at the strike for a bolt hole that has worn oval.
Where this sits. If the item simply wore out, a repair contractor replacing like for like is the shorter route. If the function never suited the room, that is a specification job and it is ours. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Hardware Installation.
Interior corridor door that has a damaged frame
What it most often means. On a interior corridor door, the frame is the job. A leaf hung in a frame that has corroded, been forced or racked will not stay right however carefully it is fitted. Corridor leaves are lighter and closer-controlled, and more of them belong to a rated assembly than most people expect.
Worth checking before you call
- Press the bottom six inches of both jambs. Corroded steel gives under a thumb.
- Look at the rabbet around the strike for spread metal or tool marks.
- Sight along the head from one side to check it has not bowed.
Where this sits. A damaged frame is replaced rather than adjusted, and the wall type decides how. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
Interior corridor door that has broken hardware
What it most often means. On a interior corridor door, a component has reached the end of its service life. The question worth asking is whether the replacement should match what is there, or correct a specification that never suited the room. Corridor leaves are lighter and closer-controlled, and more of them belong to a rated assembly than most people expect.
Worth checking before you call
- Note which item it is: lock, closer, exit device, hinge, or something electrified.
- Look for a manufacturer name and a model number stamped on the item itself.
- Ask whether it failed early. If it did, the grade or the function is worth revisiting rather than repeating.
Where this sits. If the item simply wore out, a repair contractor replacing like for like is the shorter route. If the function never suited the room, that is a specification job and it is ours. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Hardware Installation.
Interior corridor door that is not installed yet
What it most often means. On a interior corridor door, this is a supply and install job, and the order is the part most likely to go wrong. Almost every bad install is decided at the purchase order rather than at the tool. Corridor leaves are lighter and closer-controlled, and more of them belong to a rated assembly than most people expect.
Worth checking before you call
- Measure the opening itself rather than reading a size off a drawing.
- Establish the wall type — masonry, stud partition or storefront framing — because it decides the anchors.
- Check whether the opening has to be rated, which constrains most of the rest.
Where this sits. Nothing is ordered until the opening has been measured. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Installation.
Automatic operator that will not latch
What it most often means. On a automatic operator, the latch and the strike have stopped meeting where they were set — most often because the leaf has dropped, the frame has moved, or the strike has worked loose. A powered operator is a control system with a door attached. Operators are serviced by automatic door specialists, not by an install crew.
Worth checking before you call
- Look down the latch edge at the gap between leaf and frame. If it is wider at one end than the other, the leaf has dropped or the frame has racked.
- Check the strike is tight in the frame and that its lip is not bent back.
- Close it slowly by hand and watch where the latch bolt lands against the strike.
Where this sits. Operator faults belong to an automatic door specialist. What we do cover at a powered opening is clear width, opening force and hardware operability. The line that covers it is ADA and Egress Door Compliance Upgrades.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Automatic operator that will not close fully
What it most often means. On a automatic operator, something is stopping the leaf before it reaches the stop — most often a closer that has lost its power, a leaf catching at the floor, or an obstruction in the frame rabbet. A powered operator is a control system with a door attached. Operators are serviced by automatic door specialists, not by an install crew.
Worth checking before you call
- Open it halfway and let go. If it stops at the same point every time, look at the closer before the leaf.
- Check the threshold and the floor covering for anything the bottom edge is dragging on.
- Look along the rabbet for packing, debris or a stop that has been knocked in.
Where this sits. Operator faults belong to an automatic door specialist. What we do cover at a powered opening is clear width, opening force and hardware operability. The line that covers it is ADA and Egress Door Compliance Upgrades.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Automatic operator that binds
What it most often means. On a automatic operator, the leaf and the frame are no longer square to one another, or a hinge has worn — most often the two together, since one causes the other over time. A powered operator is a control system with a door attached. Operators are serviced by automatic door specialists, not by an install crew.
Worth checking before you call
- Find the rub mark. Bright metal or worn paint tells you exactly where it is catching.
- Check the hinge screws on the frame leaf; screws pulling out of a hollow frame are common.
- Note whether it binds all year or only in certain weather, which points at the wall rather than the door.
Where this sits. Operator faults belong to an automatic door specialist. What we do cover at a powered opening is clear width, opening force and hardware operability. The line that covers it is ADA and Egress Door Compliance Upgrades.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Automatic operator that slams
What it most often means. On a automatic operator, the closer is out of adjustment or has failed — closing speed and latching speed are separate settings and both drift as the unit ages. A powered operator is a control system with a door attached. Operators are serviced by automatic door specialists, not by an install crew.
Worth checking before you call
- Look for oil on the closer body or running down the leaf. A leaking closer will not hold an adjustment.
- Note whether it slams from wide open or only over the last few inches.
- Check the arm is still tight at the closer and at the bracket.
Where this sits. Operator faults belong to an automatic door specialist. What we do cover at a powered opening is clear width, opening force and hardware operability. The line that covers it is ADA and Egress Door Compliance Upgrades.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Automatic operator that will not lock
What it most often means. On a automatic operator, the bolt is not entering the strike cleanly, or the cylinder itself has reached the end of its life. A powered operator is a control system with a door attached. Operators are serviced by automatic door specialists, not by an install crew.
Worth checking before you call
- Throw the bolt with the door standing open. If it works there, the fault is alignment and not the lock.
- Check whether the key turns fully or stops partway round.
- Look at the strike for a bolt hole that has worn oval.
Where this sits. Operator faults belong to an automatic door specialist. What we do cover at a powered opening is clear width, opening force and hardware operability. The line that covers it is ADA and Egress Door Compliance Upgrades.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Automatic operator that has a damaged frame
What it most often means. On a automatic operator, the frame is the job. A leaf hung in a frame that has corroded, been forced or racked will not stay right however carefully it is fitted. A powered operator is a control system with a door attached. Operators are serviced by automatic door specialists, not by an install crew.
Worth checking before you call
- Press the bottom six inches of both jambs. Corroded steel gives under a thumb.
- Look at the rabbet around the strike for spread metal or tool marks.
- Sight along the head from one side to check it has not bowed.
Where this sits. The frame an operator is mounted to is our work even though the operator is not. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
Automatic operator that has broken hardware
What it most often means. On a automatic operator, a component has reached the end of its service life. The question worth asking is whether the replacement should match what is there, or correct a specification that never suited the room. A powered operator is a control system with a door attached. Operators are serviced by automatic door specialists, not by an install crew.
Worth checking before you call
- Note which item it is: lock, closer, exit device, hinge, or something electrified.
- Look for a manufacturer name and a model number stamped on the item itself.
- Ask whether it failed early. If it did, the grade or the function is worth revisiting rather than repeating.
Where this sits. Operator faults belong to an automatic door specialist. What we do cover at a powered opening is clear width, opening force and hardware operability. The line that covers it is ADA and Egress Door Compliance Upgrades.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Automatic operator that is not installed yet
What it most often means. On a automatic operator, this is a supply and install job, and the order is the part most likely to go wrong. Almost every bad install is decided at the purchase order rather than at the tool. A powered operator is a control system with a door attached. Operators are serviced by automatic door specialists, not by an install crew.
Worth checking before you call
- Measure the opening itself rather than reading a size off a drawing.
- Establish the wall type — masonry, stud partition or storefront framing — because it decides the anchors.
- Check whether the opening has to be rated, which constrains most of the rest.
Where this sits. We can install the opening and the frame the operator will be mounted to; the operator itself is supplied and commissioned by an automatic door specialist. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Installation.
Pair of doors that will not latch
What it most often means. On a pair of doors, the latch and the strike have stopped meeting where they were set — most often because the leaf has dropped, the frame has moved, or the strike has worked loose. Pairs add a coordinator, an astragal and often vertical rods, so a fault on one leaf is frequently caused by the other one.
Worth checking before you call
- Look down the latch edge at the gap between leaf and frame. If it is wider at one end than the other, the leaf has dropped or the frame has racked.
- Check the strike is tight in the frame and that its lip is not bent back.
- Close it slowly by hand and watch where the latch bolt lands against the strike.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Pair of doors that will not close fully
What it most often means. On a pair of doors, something is stopping the leaf before it reaches the stop — most often a closer that has lost its power, a leaf catching at the floor, or an obstruction in the frame rabbet. Pairs add a coordinator, an astragal and often vertical rods, so a fault on one leaf is frequently caused by the other one.
Worth checking before you call
- Open it halfway and let go. If it stops at the same point every time, look at the closer before the leaf.
- Check the threshold and the floor covering for anything the bottom edge is dragging on.
- Look along the rabbet for packing, debris or a stop that has been knocked in.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Pair of doors that binds
What it most often means. On a pair of doors, the leaf and the frame are no longer square to one another, or a hinge has worn — most often the two together, since one causes the other over time. Pairs add a coordinator, an astragal and often vertical rods, so a fault on one leaf is frequently caused by the other one.
Worth checking before you call
- Find the rub mark. Bright metal or worn paint tells you exactly where it is catching.
- Check the hinge screws on the frame leaf; screws pulling out of a hollow frame are common.
- Note whether it binds all year or only in certain weather, which points at the wall rather than the door.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Pair of doors that slams
What it most often means. On a pair of doors, the closer is out of adjustment or has failed — closing speed and latching speed are separate settings and both drift as the unit ages. Pairs add a coordinator, an astragal and often vertical rods, so a fault on one leaf is frequently caused by the other one.
Worth checking before you call
- Look for oil on the closer body or running down the leaf. A leaking closer will not hold an adjustment.
- Note whether it slams from wide open or only over the last few inches.
- Check the arm is still tight at the closer and at the bracket.
Where this sits. If the survey finds the frame is the cause rather than the closer or the strike, it stops being an adjustment and becomes frame work. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Pair of doors that will not lock
What it most often means. On a pair of doors, the bolt is not entering the strike cleanly, or the cylinder itself has reached the end of its life. Pairs add a coordinator, an astragal and often vertical rods, so a fault on one leaf is frequently caused by the other one.
Worth checking before you call
- Throw the bolt with the door standing open. If it works there, the fault is alignment and not the lock.
- Check whether the key turns fully or stops partway round.
- Look at the strike for a bolt hole that has worn oval.
Where this sits. If the item simply wore out, a repair contractor replacing like for like is the shorter route. If the function never suited the room, that is a specification job and it is ours. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Hardware Installation.
Pair of doors that has a damaged frame
What it most often means. On a pair of doors, the frame is the job. A leaf hung in a frame that has corroded, been forced or racked will not stay right however carefully it is fitted. Pairs add a coordinator, an astragal and often vertical rods, so a fault on one leaf is frequently caused by the other one.
Worth checking before you call
- Press the bottom six inches of both jambs. Corroded steel gives under a thumb.
- Look at the rabbet around the strike for spread metal or tool marks.
- Sight along the head from one side to check it has not bowed.
Where this sits. A damaged frame is replaced rather than adjusted, and the wall type decides how. The line that covers it is Door Frame Replacement.
Pair of doors that has broken hardware
What it most often means. On a pair of doors, a component has reached the end of its service life. The question worth asking is whether the replacement should match what is there, or correct a specification that never suited the room. Pairs add a coordinator, an astragal and often vertical rods, so a fault on one leaf is frequently caused by the other one.
Worth checking before you call
- Note which item it is: lock, closer, exit device, hinge, or something electrified.
- Look for a manufacturer name and a model number stamped on the item itself.
- Ask whether it failed early. If it did, the grade or the function is worth revisiting rather than repeating.
Where this sits. If the item simply wore out, a repair contractor replacing like for like is the shorter route. If the function never suited the room, that is a specification job and it is ours. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Hardware Installation.
Pair of doors that is not installed yet
What it most often means. On a pair of doors, this is a supply and install job, and the order is the part most likely to go wrong. Almost every bad install is decided at the purchase order rather than at the tool. Pairs add a coordinator, an astragal and often vertical rods, so a fault on one leaf is frequently caused by the other one.
Worth checking before you call
- Measure the opening itself rather than reading a size off a drawing.
- Establish the wall type — masonry, stud partition or storefront framing — because it decides the anchors.
- Check whether the opening has to be rated, which constrains most of the rest.
Where this sits. Nothing is ordered until the opening has been measured. The line that covers it is Commercial Door Installation.
Fire-rated opening that will not latch
What it most often means. On a fire-rated opening, the latch and the strike have stopped meeting where they were set — most often because the leaf has dropped, the frame has moved, or the strike has worked loose. A labelled opening is a tested assembly, so what may be altered at it is decided by the listing rather than by preference.
Worth checking before you call
- Look down the latch edge at the gap between leaf and frame. If it is wider at one end than the other, the leaf has dropped or the frame has racked.
- Check the strike is tight in the frame and that its lip is not bent back.
- Close it slowly by hand and watch where the latch bolt lands against the strike.
Where this sits. On a labelled opening even an adjustment has to leave the listing intact, so whoever attends needs to understand what may and may not be changed. The line that covers it is Fire-Rated Door Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Fire-rated opening that will not close fully
What it most often means. On a fire-rated opening, something is stopping the leaf before it reaches the stop — most often a closer that has lost its power, a leaf catching at the floor, or an obstruction in the frame rabbet. A labelled opening is a tested assembly, so what may be altered at it is decided by the listing rather than by preference.
Worth checking before you call
- Open it halfway and let go. If it stops at the same point every time, look at the closer before the leaf.
- Check the threshold and the floor covering for anything the bottom edge is dragging on.
- Look along the rabbet for packing, debris or a stop that has been knocked in.
Where this sits. On a labelled opening even an adjustment has to leave the listing intact, so whoever attends needs to understand what may and may not be changed. The line that covers it is Fire-Rated Door Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Fire-rated opening that binds
What it most often means. On a fire-rated opening, the leaf and the frame are no longer square to one another, or a hinge has worn — most often the two together, since one causes the other over time. A labelled opening is a tested assembly, so what may be altered at it is decided by the listing rather than by preference.
Worth checking before you call
- Find the rub mark. Bright metal or worn paint tells you exactly where it is catching.
- Check the hinge screws on the frame leaf; screws pulling out of a hollow frame are common.
- Note whether it binds all year or only in certain weather, which points at the wall rather than the door.
Where this sits. On a labelled opening even an adjustment has to leave the listing intact, so whoever attends needs to understand what may and may not be changed. The line that covers it is Fire-Rated Door Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Fire-rated opening that slams
What it most often means. On a fire-rated opening, the closer is out of adjustment or has failed — closing speed and latching speed are separate settings and both drift as the unit ages. A labelled opening is a tested assembly, so what may be altered at it is decided by the listing rather than by preference.
Worth checking before you call
- Look for oil on the closer body or running down the leaf. A leaking closer will not hold an adjustment.
- Note whether it slams from wide open or only over the last few inches.
- Check the arm is still tight at the closer and at the bracket.
Where this sits. On a labelled opening even an adjustment has to leave the listing intact, so whoever attends needs to understand what may and may not be changed. The line that covers it is Fire-Rated Door Replacement.
This may not be a job for us. On the description so far this reads as a repair to an opening that is basically sound, and a commercial door repair contractor will normally be quicker and cost you less than an installation crew. We would rather say that now than turn a repair into a replacement. If a survey shows the opening needs replacing instead, that is our work.
Fire-rated opening that will not lock
What it most often means. On a fire-rated opening, the bolt is not entering the strike cleanly, or the cylinder itself has reached the end of its life. A labelled opening is a tested assembly, so what may be altered at it is decided by the listing rather than by preference.
Worth checking before you call
- Throw the bolt with the door standing open. If it works there, the fault is alignment and not the lock.
- Check whether the key turns fully or stops partway round.
- Look at the strike for a bolt hole that has worn oval.
Where this sits. A labelled opening is replaced as a tested assembly rather than part by part. The line that covers it is Fire-Rated Door Replacement.
Fire-rated opening that has a damaged frame
What it most often means. On a fire-rated opening, the frame is the job. A leaf hung in a frame that has corroded, been forced or racked will not stay right however carefully it is fitted. A labelled opening is a tested assembly, so what may be altered at it is decided by the listing rather than by preference.
Worth checking before you call
- Press the bottom six inches of both jambs. Corroded steel gives under a thumb.
- Look at the rabbet around the strike for spread metal or tool marks.
- Sight along the head from one side to check it has not bowed.
Where this sits. A labelled opening is replaced as a tested assembly rather than part by part. The line that covers it is Fire-Rated Door Replacement.
Fire-rated opening that has broken hardware
What it most often means. On a fire-rated opening, a component has reached the end of its service life. The question worth asking is whether the replacement should match what is there, or correct a specification that never suited the room. A labelled opening is a tested assembly, so what may be altered at it is decided by the listing rather than by preference.
Worth checking before you call
- Note which item it is: lock, closer, exit device, hinge, or something electrified.
- Look for a manufacturer name and a model number stamped on the item itself.
- Ask whether it failed early. If it did, the grade or the function is worth revisiting rather than repeating.
Where this sits. A labelled opening is replaced as a tested assembly rather than part by part. The line that covers it is Fire-Rated Door Replacement.
Fire-rated opening that is not installed yet
What it most often means. On a fire-rated opening, this is a supply and install job, and the order is the part most likely to go wrong. Almost every bad install is decided at the purchase order rather than at the tool. A labelled opening is a tested assembly, so what may be altered at it is decided by the listing rather than by preference.
Worth checking before you call
- Measure the opening itself rather than reading a size off a drawing.
- Establish the wall type — masonry, stud partition or storefront framing — because it decides the anchors.
- Check whether the opening has to be rated, which constrains most of the rest.
Where this sits. A labelled opening is replaced as a tested assembly rather than part by part. The line that covers it is Fire-Rated Door Replacement.
