Why the Busiest Weeks Are the Worst Time for a Door Failure
From Thanksgiving weekend through New Year's, retail entrances in Conway, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Bryant, Maumelle, Jacksonville, Searcy, Russellville, Cabot, Sherwood, and Hot Springs see more foot traffic in a few weeks than most of the rest of the year combined. An automatic door that hesitates, sticks, or stops cycling during that stretch doesn't just annoy shoppers — it backs up lines at a single working entrance, lets heated or cooled air pour out, and puts extra strain on staff who already have their hands full. A door problem in July can wait a day. A door problem on the Saturday before Christmas cannot.
A Pre-Season Service Visit Catches Problems Before Customers Do
The best time to find a worn part is before it fails, not after it strands a crowd of shoppers at your front entrance. Scheduling a pre-season visit now, before the rush hits, gives an AAADM-certified technician time to inspect your system and make any needed repairs while your store is still quiet.
- Operator, belts, and drive components checked for wear before heavy cycling begins
- Sensors and safety devices tested to confirm they're reading properly
- Weatherseals and thresholds inspected so cold air and moisture stay outside
- Battery backup and emergency functions verified
- A full open-close cycle run to confirm smooth, consistent operation
Any adjustment to force, timing, or sensor settings is safety-critical work and belongs to a certified technician with the right testing equipment — not a maintenance checklist item for in-house staff.
Keep Displays and Decorations Out of the Sensor Zone
Holiday decorating season is also the season when entrances get the most cluttered. Garland, wreaths, banners, end-cap displays, and seasonal signage often land right near the front doors — exactly where a sensor needs a clear view to detect approaching customers. A display stacked too close to the header or threshold can block the sensor's field of view, causing a door to stay open longer than it should, open unexpectedly, or fail to open at all.
- Keep floor displays and pallet promotions well clear of the door's swing or slide path
- Avoid taping or hanging decorations directly on door headers, sensors, or activation plates
- Walk the entrance area after any merchandising change to confirm nothing new sits in the sensor's path
- Train seasonal staff to recognize the sensor zone, not just the walkway
If a display has to go near the entrance, loop in a technician to confirm it won't interfere with detection rather than guessing.
Plan Coverage for a Store That Can't Close
Most businesses can't shut an entrance down for a day during the holidays to wait on a repair. That makes a service plan worth having before the season starts, not after a door fails. Know who you're calling, how quickly they can respond, and what your staff should do with the entrance in the meantime — propping a malfunctioning door open or forcing it manually isn't a safe fix and can make the underlying problem worse. A clear plan means one phone call gets a technician moving instead of a scramble to find help on your busiest day.
Call CSC Before the Rush Hits
CSC Automatic Doors has served central Arkansas businesses since 1976, and we know what the holiday season does to entrance traffic. Call 501-514-4932 to schedule a pre-season service visit and keep your doors running through Black Friday, Christmas, and everything in between.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead of the holiday season should we schedule a door service visit?
Booking before Thanksgiving gives a technician time to inspect your system and handle any repairs while traffic is still manageable, rather than waiting until the entrance is already under heavy daily use.
Our holiday display is right next to the automatic door — is that a problem?
It can be. Anything placed too close to a sensor's field of view can cause a door to behave unpredictably. Keep displays clear of the sensor zone and have a technician confirm placement if you're not sure.
What should staff do if an automatic door stops working during a busy weekend?
Keep the area clear, direct customers to another entrance if available, and call for service rather than propping the door open or forcing it manually. Having a service contact ready ahead of time speeds up the response.