Step up your roller shutter maintenance for summer

They may be necessary for protecting premises against trespassers and the outdoor elements, but for roller shutters to operate smoothly, you’ll need to look after them properly throughout ever-changing seasonal conditions.

There’s often much more discussion about winter roller shutter maintenance, as everyone knows how unpleasant the weather can be during that time of year. However, property owners should also be aware of the many ways summer weather can affect their shutters.

With summer fast approaching, you shouldn’t relax thinking that maintenance can wait until the autumn arrives. Keeping an eye on roller shutters in summer is just as important as taking care of them in winter if you want to ensure their longevity.

At Roller Shutter Services, we not only supply and install mechanical door systems, but also provide 24/7 roller shutter repairs. With decades of experience in this area, we’re here to offer tips on how to keep your shutters in the best possible shape.

Read on to discover what to look out for and how to maintain roller shutters in the summer.

How does summer affect roller shutters?

Common issues that occur with roller shutter systems in the summer are typically caused by a lack of proper care during warm weather – from more regular use resulting in rough handling to failing to check working parts often enough.

Rising temperatures, excessive dust, active insects, and more frequently opening and closing the shutter for ventilation can all lead to increased wear and tear on the system. This can build up to serious incidents such as:

• Hot materials expanding so the shutter becomes misaligned
• Warm temperatures drying out lubrication so the shutter sticks
• Dust and debris building up in the tracks and on the curtain
• Very high temperatures causing metal and motors to overheat
• Prolonged direct sun exposure damaging the shutter exterior

Not only can heat eventually cause materials to warp, preventing the shutter from running, but drier ground also usually results in more dust being kicked up, which makes the shutter look dirty from the outside and clogs the mechanisms on the inside.

These risks are increased in high-traffic or windy open areas, so summer maintenance is even more essential in commercial and industrial estates if you want to limit deterioration and preserve the shutter’s lifespan.

Maintaining roller shutters in summer

Being proactive in maintaining your shutters during the hot and dry summer months is key to keeping them in the best condition by the time winter rolls around – reducing the risks of damage and breakdowns in the wet and freezing weather.

While we already have a blog detailing roller shutter maintenance tips that should apply year-round, here are some summer-specific recommendations to take note of that can offer peace of mind if you follow them all.

More frequent cleaning

Most property owners will invest in the appearance of their shutter, choosing a certain paint colour and maybe even adding personalised branding. However, when dirt dries out, people and vehicles can stir up dust that accumulates on the exposed surface of the shutter.

When there’s a breeze, small bits of dust and debris may even find their way inside the tracks and cause blockages in the system.

This is why your summer shutter checklist must include a thorough cleaning at least once every couple of months. This will allow you to wash away dust and remove any debris and insect nests before they cause too much damage, restoring smooth operation.

Remember to avoid using abrasive cleaning materials, including harsh chemicals, as these can damage the shutter, too.

Regular lubrication

The heat of summer can dry out the lubrication that your mechanical door system needs to run quietly and smoothly. Without it, friction increases, reducing the performance and durability of the internal components and wearing them down faster.

After checking whether the shutter can roll up or down without sticking or screeching and cleaning it well, you should reapply lubricant.

Topping up the lubrication in the guide rails, hinges, and bearings will help to keep the moving parts working effectively, reducing abrasion and the progressive wear it causes. A lubricating spray can help you target the necessary areas sparingly.

It’s also crucial to use a silicone-based lubricant in summer, replacing lost moisture without attracting dirt like oil-based lubricants do.

Applying UV-resistant paint

The heat and exposure to UV rays from the sun throughout summer can progressively damage the exterior of your roller shutters – not only causing colours to fade, but also weakening the material underneath by increasing its exposure to corrosive elements.

Most painted metal shutters have some kind of protective coating to preserve the colour and prevent rust, but this can erode over time.

Keep a look-out for signs of deformation, cracking, and peeling across the surface of the shutter curtain with every use. If you spot this, don’t leave it to spread – address it right away by sanding, repainting, and applying a UV-resistant coating to the shutter door.

Rust-resistant and UV-resistant paints are designed to safeguard doors from harsh conditions, defending them against further degradation.

Routine operational checks

At any time of year, the most significant thing you can do to help prevent sudden breakdowns or broken shutters is to carry out regular maintenance checks. Testing the system to its full capacity can identify minor issues before they become worse.

With extreme heat warnings seemingly becoming more common every year, you should evaluate your shutters every couple of months.

Looking out for things like loose screws, obstructions, or cracks and checking that controls and locks are all working correctly will make it easier to maintain regular operations. You should also make sure that seals and weatherstripping remain intact.

If you notice any problems, no matter how big or small, you should call professionals who can service and repair your roller shutter.

Roller shutter repairs and servicing

Following these summer maintenance tips can help you minimise the chances of unexpected breakdowns throughout the long hot days of summer and into the chill of winter. As soon as you spot a problem, calling for expert assessment and repair can tackle the issue quickly.

Calling the Roller Shutter Services team to conduct repairs can restore the durability of your mechanical doors and give you peace of mind that your property is efficiently protected against weather damage, vandalism, or theft.

With extensive experience, industry expertise, and genuine parts in stock, we have what it takes to complete fast repairs for faulty shutters.

In severe emergency cases where maintenance has fallen by the wayside for a while and your shutter is now beyond cost-effective repair, we can also help by supplying and fitting a bespoke replacement shutter as soon as possible.

Once your shutter is shipshape, you can call us for regular servicing at least once or twice a year to ensure the system stays that way.

To call out our roller shutter repair team, give us a ring on 0800 328 9356 – or if you have any questions about our services or competitive prices, you can email your enquiry to info@rollershutterservices.co.uk and we’ll be back in touch with more information.