When a new automatic entrance goes in, the warranty paperwork usually gets handed to whoever signed the invoice, then disappears into a drawer. Eighteen months later, the door starts acting up, and nobody can find the paper that says whether the fix is free. Here's what to pin down while the installer is still on site.
Parts Coverage vs. Labor Coverage
Most automatic door warranties split into two pieces, and they don't always run on the same clock.
- Parts coverage typically applies to the operator, control board, and major hardware if they fail under normal use. Ask how long this runs and whether it covers the whole system or just the operator.
- Labor coverage — the cost of a technician's time to diagnose and fix the problem — is often shorter than parts coverage, or billed separately from day one. A door can be "under warranty" for parts and still cost you a service call.
- Sensors, push plates, and weatherseals sometimes carry their own shorter terms since they take the most daily wear.
Get the exact start and end dates in writing, along with what counts as normal wear versus a defect. A facility manager shouldn't have to guess which bucket a failure falls into when the door is stuck open on a Monday morning.
What the Warranty Expects You to Keep Up
A warranty is a two-way agreement. The manufacturer promises to stand behind the equipment, and in return they expect the door to be maintained on a schedule — usually by a certified technician, not whoever is available that day. Skipping scheduled maintenance is one of the most common reasons a claim gets denied later.
- Keep every maintenance visit on record, even routine ones that found nothing wrong.
- Don't let a non-certified handyman adjust the operator, sensors, or closing force to "fix it temporarily." That kind of adjustment is safety-critical and belongs to a certified AAADM technician with the right testing equipment — and a warranty often treats unauthorized tampering as grounds to void coverage.
- Report problems when they're small. A door that's closing a little harder than it used to is a cheaper fix now than a failed operator later, and reporting it promptly supports your maintenance record.
Who to Call First When Something Fails
When an automatic door stops working right, the instinct is to call whoever's number is on a sticker somewhere. Save time by knowing ahead of failure day:
- Who installed the door, and whether that company also handles warranty service calls or routes you to the manufacturer.
- Whether your maintenance provider is the same company and already has your door's model and service history on file.
- What information they'll ask for — door location, approximate age, and what the door is doing (won't open, won't close, grinding, stuck) speeds up the visit.
If CSC installed or maintains your door, calling us first means we already have your equipment and warranty details on hand instead of starting from scratch.
Keeping the Paperwork Where the Next Person Can Find It
Warranty documents outlive the person who filed them. Facility managers change, maintenance contracts get renewed, and the folder from the installation day gets lost in a move. A few habits prevent that:
- Store the warranty, the install date, and the maintenance log together — digitally if possible, so it isn't tied to one filing cabinet.
- Note the door's model and serial information where it's easy to find, not just on a sticker that fades or gets painted over.
- Share the file location with whoever takes over facilities duties, not just verbally — put it in the handoff notes.
A door that's still under warranty but whose paperwork is missing puts you in the same spot as having no warranty at all.
If you're not sure what your current automatic door warranty covers, or you need a maintenance record started on a door that doesn't have one, call CSC Automatic Doors at 501-548-2374. We serve facility, retail, healthcare, and hospitality locations across Little Rock, Conway, North Little Rock, Benton, Bryant, Maumelle, Jacksonville, Searcy, Russellville, Cabot, Sherwood, and Hot Springs.
Frequently asked questions
Does a warranty cover damage from a forklift or shopping cart hitting the door?
Usually not. Most warranties cover defects in materials or workmanship, not impact damage from equipment, carts, or vehicles. That kind of repair is typically billed separately regardless of warranty status.
If we skip a scheduled maintenance visit, does that automatically void the warranty?
It depends on the manufacturer's terms, but a gap in maintenance records is one of the most common reasons a claim gets questioned or denied. Keeping every visit documented, even routine ones, protects your position if something fails later.
Can our in-house maintenance staff do warranty-covered repairs themselves?
Adjustments to the operator, sensors, or closing force are safety-critical and should be handled by a certified AAADM technician with the right testing equipment. In-house staff handling that kind of work can also put parts coverage at risk.