10 Tips on Keeping Your PVC Strip Curtains Like New

Using PVC strip curtains is a common practice in cold storage rooms, food processing units, warehouses, and other industrial setups. The real reason is that they’re not only affordable but low-maintenance too. With the help of vinyl strip doors, businesses can achieve energy efficiency and a noticeable reduction in cross-contamination.

The concern may arise when even the most reliable strip curtains begin to wear off quickly. Common problems such as scratches, excessive UV exposure, and accumulated grime slowly deteriorate these useful curtains. Worn-out strip curtains can reduce visibility while creating safety hazards. Instead of replacing them altogether, it’s wise to maintain them as effectively as you can to prolong their lifespan. This will also help you save some major business costs.

Fortunately, it’s possible to keep your PVC strip curtains & Doors performing like new. All it takes is learning and implementing specific maintenance tips and tricks.

In this post, we’ll dig deeper into the root causes of the wear and tear of strip curtains and provide useful tips to prolong their lifespan:

1. Ensure PVC strip curtains are properly aligned

Insufficient overlap and poor alignment reduce the ability of a PVC curtain to block dust, air exchange, noise, and insects from entering a temperature-sensitive work zone. Even the smallest gaps might allow cold or hot air to pass through. Therefore, the absence of overlap can nullify the main purpose of a strip curtain.

To maintain proper overlap and alignment of PVC strip curtains & Doors, make sure that each strip overlaps the other by 50%. This overlap level ensures that the strips are able to limit any air exchange. If the PVC strips are frequently sagging or are bent, check for warped hangers, loose fasteners, or deteriorated mounting plates, and replace them immediately.

2. Use UV-resistant PVC for outdoor settings

When exposed to UV rays, average-quality PVC strips often turn yellow, brittle, and even cracked. Loading docks, warehouse entrances, and outdoor passageways are a few areas where PVC strip curtains can get high sunlight exposure.

To avoid UV-exposed damage in the first place, install PCB-free vinyl strip doors in the initial phase of setting up an industrial facility. Made to withstand UV exposure, these strip curtains will remain functional even in harsh conditions. Also, ensure that these strip curtains are made with vinyl that provides UV resistance. 

3. Clean the strips like a pro

Airborne particles, oil, and dirt may cling to strip curtains while making them stiffer. This further deteriorates the strips, leading them to tear easily. It’s a common phenomenon in food processing units, industrial kitchens, and other related industrial settings.

To avoid the wear and tear, perform a monthly cleaning routine once a month. Wipe each of the vinyl strips separately. If there’s a lot of buildup, you can use a degreaser to remove the grime.

4. Inspect for tears, cracks, or warping

Tiny cracks and tears tend to quickly expand. Cracked strips might also bring in dust, excess air, and attract insects in cold storage environments. This can further cause product spoilage.

To ensure vinyl strip doors are fully functional, see if you can identify curling edges, brittleness, or small tears. If you see any of these signs, it indicates that it’s time to replace the damaged strips. Also, conduct this inspection every 2-3 months.

5. Lubricate the mounting track

Sometimes, an overused track is responsible for causing premature damage to PVC strips. Gliding the strips frequently also increases friction. However, a well-lubricated track enables PVC strip curtains to glide smoothly during replacement, realignment, or cleaning.

To lubricate the mounting track properly, you can use a lubricant every six months. It’s better to go for silicone lubricants (instead of petroleum-based ones) as they’re non-staining and non-reactive. Besides, they won’t harm the vinyl. Make sure to clean the mounting track before lubricating it, and don’t over-apply it. Just a thin layer will be sufficient.    

6. Keep spare strips safe in the storage area

It’s great to have extra PVC strips for future replacements. However, the issue arises when they aren’t stored properly. Improper storage leads them to crack, warp, and bend. This makes them unusable even before installing them.

To avoid this situation, store the spare strips gently rolled or flat. Also, make sure to keep them in a dry, dark, and cool environment. Avoid compressing or folding the material as this might create stress lines or permanent creases.  

7. Opt for professional inspections every year

While it’s possible to check the condition of vinyl strip doors every other month, it still cannot replace professional inspections. Besides, preventive maintenance helps identify potential cracking earlier. Calling a professional technician for annual inspections can also help cut down business costs.

A skilled technician would make a detailed assessment by inspecting the sealing quality, the mounting track, wear-and-tear patterns, and fasteners. That way, it becomes easier to detect issues before they get worse.

8. Replace the damaged strips individually

Not all PVC strips experience damage. During the inspection, you’d observe that some of the strips are worn out while others are not. This doesn’t mean you need to wait till all the remaining strips wear out. You should replace the worn-out PVC strips individually as soon as you notice the damage. A practical way to do it is by keeping some spare strips beforehand for a quick and unexpected replacement.

Replacing only the damaged strips is a cost-effective method of maintaining PVC strip doors without causing operational downtime.

9. Conduct a monthly training session for workers

In numerous industrial environments, improper usage and negligence are the primary reasons behind damaged and torn strip curtains. Besides conducting various types of industrial training workshops, it’s important to train the workers about the proper handling of these delicate strip curtains. You can educate existing employees to push the PVC strip doors gently instead of pulling them aggressively. Discourage them to prop the strips open as this could create creases onto the vinyl and defeat the main purpose of these useful strip curtains.

During the orientation session for new employees, explain the delicacy of these curtains to them. Also, show them a visual presentation of using PVC strip curtains so that they can remember specific guidelines about their proper usage. Placing signage in specific work locations will also remind the staff not to misuse the curtains.  

10. Pressure-wash for deep cleaning

In metal fabrication facilities, garages, or other high-grime industrial settings, the maintenance needs of PVC strip doors go beyond just surface wiping. Pressure-washing is an effective way to deep clean the vinyl strips while saving a lot of time.

To pressure wash, it’s important to remove the PVC strip curtains from the track. Once done, lay the strips flat. With mild detergent and warm water, begin to pressure-wash by keeping the pressure setting low (it should be below 500 PSI). After the deep clean, air dry the strips completely to prevent moisture or mildew. When they have dried up, you can hang them back onto the mounting track.  

The Takeaway

The purpose of PVC strip curtains goes beyond just separating work zones. Besides saving energy and improving safety, well-maintained vinyl curtains help extend the lifespan of expensive equipment. That’s a win-win situation for business owners aiming to reduce operational costs and increase profits in the long run. However, what matters is how frequently you’re willing to maintain these versatile strip curtains.

The above-mentioned tips aren’t only easy to follow but they’d also help facility managers create a large impact on industrial performance. By making little efforts every single month, you can use your PVC strip curtains for years.