For your customers, they’re not just roller shutters – they’re added security, a practical way to control the light, and a protective layer that keeps their home cool in summer and warm in winter. Your customers see their roller shutters as an investment that adds convenience and control to their lives.
So when their roller shutters stop working, it’s more than an annoyance. It impacts your customer’s feelings of safety and comfort. Figuring out how to get their shutters functioning again is urgent and important.
Here at CW Products, you can call on our expertise and knowledge to provide market-leading training and upskilling for you, your salesforce and installers. We pride ourselves on helping our clients retain knowledge in-house and consistently delivering excellent customer experiences.
What should you do when your customer’s roller shutters aren’t working? There’s no need to panic – repairing roller shutters is easier than you think. Read our helpful guide on how to fix roller shutters and get your customer’s shutters in tip-top condition.
How do roller shutters work?
Manual roller shutters
Manual roller shutters operate by raising or lowering a curtain that’s controlled by vertical tracks or guides. The curtain is raised up by rolling onto an axle within the small headbox or pelmet. To lower the roller shutter, the axle rotates in the opposite direction.
There are multiple ways to operate manual shutters, such as a:
- Strap winder
- Cord winder
- Steel cable winder
- Strap coiler
- Cord Coiler
- Spring-loaded with a key lock
Motorised roller shutters
Motorised shutters are opened and closed by an electric motor. This motor spins the axle, which is attached to the curtain. The curtain follows the motion of the axle during closing and opening. The shutter will then roll up or down, depending on what direction the axle is spinning.
Electric roller shutters can be controlled in several ways, for example:
- Remote control
- Wall switch
- Key switch
- App on your phone, tablet or any other smart device
Why won’t my customer’s roller shutters work?
The key to fixing a roller shutter is identifying the root cause of the issue. Thankfully, determining the problem can be as simple as having a quick look over the shutter. Is there something visible that could cause the shutter not to function? Take note of anything you can see, including:
- Dampness.
- Significant damage caused by vandalism, extreme weather or general wear and tear.
- Broken or frayed straps.
- Damaged security springs.
Checking for these faults will often lead you to where the problem lies.
Once you’ve figured out what has caused the issue, you can start working on how to repair it – whether it’s replacing a part or a component or rectifying an installation that may have been done incorrectly.
How to fix roller shutters
Sometimes, fixing your customer’s roller shutter involves more than just a thorough look-over. If you can’t see any issues that may be causing the roller shutter to stop working from the outside, we recommend that you open up the roller shutter pelmet (also known as the roller shutter cover, box or header) and see if there’s anything that’s visible that could be compromising the smooth operation of the roller shutter. Not sure how to open your roller shutter pelmet? Read our helpful blog, ‘How to open roller shutter box’.
Once you’ve opened the shutter, you should hopefully be able to identify the issue. For example, you may find that the strap isn’t properly connected from the roller shutter curtain to the axle. Or you may discover some physical damage due to age or corrosion. If you do see any visible damages, those parts are most likely going to need replacing.
However, it’s essential to understand what caused the roller shutter to stop working in the first place in order to prevent it from happening again. Ask yourself these questions:
- Was the problem caused by wear and tear after years of normal operation?
- Was there an obstacle that the roller shutter could have closed on?
- Were there any acts of vandalism or damage that may have occurred to the shutter?
So once you have figured out why the roller shutter has stopped working, you can then replace any parts required so it doesn’t happen again. You may even be able to resolve the issue on the spot.
How to fix manual roller shutters
Because manual roller shutters are made from many different components, there could be several reasons why your customer is struggling with their shutter. Some common issues with manual roller shutters are:
- Broken, frayed or tangled straps
- Damaged pulleys
- Corroded end caps
- Seized bearings
- Uneven or broken slats
Discover how to fix manual roller shutters in our blog, ‘How to fix manual roller shutters’.
How to fix motorised roller shutters
Motorised roller shutters play a crucial role in the security of your customer’s homes and businesses, so it’s important that their electric shutters are always functioning properly.
Diagnosing why the shutter isn’t working is a little trickier in motorised shutters, but not impossible. For example, the roller shutter may still be rolling up and down, but it’s louder than usual and doesn’t roll up and down smoothly. Or perhaps the motor isn’t engaging when you power it. Maybe something doesn’t sound right with the motor. All these factors will lead you to the cause of the problem.
Find out how to fix motorised roller shutters in our blog, ‘Electric roller shutters troubleshooting’.
Need help? We’re here to support you
If you find that you need some guidance or support, CW Products has a technical support line available with a friendly, knowledgeable team that can assist you in helping guide you to resolve your issue on-site. Contact us to have one of our knowledgeable specialists help you with your roller shutter today.
With CW Products, you get more than a supplier, quality products and exceptional customer service. You get an experienced, reliable partner you can count on to grow your business. Contact us today to find out how we can help support your business.