Doors & Hardware

BuildingWrench repair guide

Doors & Hardware

Panic Bar Sticking: Routine Checks Before You Replace Hardware

A panic bar that sticks or does not fully retract can be caused by door sag, dirty latch areas, loose trim, misaligned strikes, or worn hardware. Because panic hardware is life-safety equipment, routine checks should stay conservative and the door must always release freely from the egress side.

Last reviewed 2026-09-12 · General facility-maintenance information, not a substitute for site procedures, manufacturer instructions, codes, or qualified professional judgment.

Routine diagnosisSkill: BeginnerTypical time: 10–25 min
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Safety boundary

For fire-rated or egress doors, the final condition must preserve required self-closing, latching, and egress operation.

Full troubleshooting steps are in Pro

The safety boundary, quick answer and stop-work conditions above stay free. Pro opens the likely causes, symptom table, step-by-step procedure and preventive maintenance for this guide.

Stop and call a licensed professional when

  • Door does not reliably release
  • Fire-rated opening won't latch
  • Vertical rods bent/misaligned
  • Internal parts broken
  • Electrified access control involved

Mistakes, FAQ, parts and tools

Pro opens the rest of this guide: common mistakes, field FAQ, the parts list, and the tools for the job.

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Doors & Hardware

Door Problem: Latching, Closing, and Hardware

Watch the door through a full swing before touching a tool. Most problems are a loose hinge screw, a misaligned strike, or a closer that needs a sweep and latch adjustment. Fire-rated and egress hardware must keep working as listed: no wedges, no disabled closers, no field modifications.

Doors & Hardware

Automatic Door Won’t Open: Safe Facility Checks

An automatic pedestrian door that will not open can be in the wrong mode, lose power, have a blocked sensor, remain mechanically locked, or have an operator fault. Keep routine checks external.

Doors & Hardware

Commercial Door Hinge Squeaking: Clean, Lubricate, or Replace?

A squeaky hinge may only need cleaning and the correct lubricant, but recurring squeaks can indicate dry bearings, wear, misalignment, or excessive door load.

Doors & Hardware

Commercial Door Sweep Dragging: How to Adjust or Replace It

A sweep that drags too hard can stop a closer from latching and make the door difficult to use. Adjust height or replace the sweep instead of increasing closer force.