Much is said about maintenance, however, not much is done about it! There is a major difference between "High Maintenance", "Low Maintenance" and "No Maintenance".
High Maintenance
usually means regular, preplanned, often time
consuming actions relating to serviceability. This
level may require especially trained technicians and
the frequent need of replacement parts or extensive
labor. This level is not usually consumer friendly.
Low Maintenance is usually event orientated
associated with consumer actions and is much less
time consuming than high maintenance.
No Maintenance is as far as the authors
knowledge, non existent!
Atlantic Coastal Shutters' America's
Hurricane/Storm/Security Systems are designed to be
"Low Maintenance". We would make them "No
Maintenance" if humanly possible! (We're working on
it!) Warning signals should go up anytime someone
says "No Maintenance!"
Low Maintenance for roller shutters means simply;
keep them clean and operate them properly! This does
not mean you need to get outside with a scrub brush
and soap. It does mean however that the shutters
need to be kept free of foreign material such as
sand/salt buildup, squirrel nests, etc. This is
accomplished by rinsing periodically with a water
hose, under normal household pressure. This helps
keep these buildups from effecting the operation and
appearance of the shutters. Do not use a power
washer or harsh chemicals! Failures in the system
due to lack of owner maintenance does not constitute
a warranty issue.
This periodic rinsing will also help protect the
painted surfaces (not warranted) from the ravages of
our coastal environment. Atlantic Coastal Shutters,
unlike others on the market are designed for "Low
Maintenance", not "High Maintenance."
When the roller shutters have been subjected to a
storm, hurricane or other adverse weather, it's
always a good idea to rinse them off under normal
household pressure before raising them. It is also
advisable to lower the shutter and rinse it off two
or three time a year whether they have been used or
not. Care should always be taken not to spray water
into any electrical connection!
This is a common sense approach to maintenance. Just
keep them clean! On occasion, outside light may
appear between the slats on roller shutters when
they are in the down position. This is not a defect
or a warranty issue. Most often it is caused by
foreign material being stuck between the slats. The
best remedy for this situation is to wash the
shutter down with clean water, under household
pressure. Storm shutters are not designed to be
water or light proof. Roller Shutters are designed
to help protect your windows and doors from the
negative effects of flying debris and wind driven
rain water. Light or water infiltration around the
edges or though the slats of the shutter does not
constitute a warranty issue.
Do not lubricate roller shutters! Only outside,
manual operators (if applicable) need to be
lubricated and then only with a quality marine
lubricant, or marine preservative.
On accordion shutters it is advisable to keep the
lock/handle mechanism lubricated. The rollers at the
top of accordion shutters may be kept in proper
working order by rinsing and the application of a
light, lubricating oil to the axles for the wheels.
- "My shutter will not roll down." Most often this
is caused by the bottom slat sticking in the up
position because it was wound up too tight or
because foreign material is in the tracks. If this
happens, STOP rolling and reach up, grasp the bottom
slat and give it a good tug, straight down. If it is
stuck, this will free it up so that it may be
lowered. A good practice in rolling up the shutter
is to STOP rolling when the shutter stop or limit is
reached! Then, take 1/2 turn off the shutter to
relieve the pressure. The same is true when rolling
the shutter down. STOP when the lower limit is
reached. Over winding in either direction, or the
consequences thereof, does not constitute a warranty
issue.
- "My shutter will not roll up." Usually, if it will
roll down, it will roll up! If not, chances are the
shutter was rolled down too far and the attachment
to the axle is damaged or disconnected. If this has
happened, the shutter was rolled down past the point
necessary point needed for protection. On the way
down, when the shutter reaches it lower limit, STOP.
As mentioned in the paragraph above, over winding in
either direction, or the consequences thereof, does
not constitute a warranty issue.
Again, maintenance is a "common sense" issue. If you
have further questions or concerns, please feel free
to call Atlantic Coastal Shutters.