Why Is My Door Slamming After Installing a Door Closer?
What is "Slamming"?
The "slamming" (otherwise known as the "final kick" or "by-pass") at the end of closing is a design feature in most of our storm door closers and screen door closers. It is designed this way to make sure the door properly latches shut.
However, there is such a thing as the door slamming too much, or too little. This varies due to a number of factors, ranging from the installation of the door closer to the type of weather outside. In any case, this article will teach you how to fix a door that won't close, or how to adjust a door that closes just a bit too strongly.
What Does the "Slam" Achieve?
There may be air trapped in between the main door and the storm door when the glass is fully closed on a storm door, because the air has nowhere to escape. This trapped air creates positive pressure, preventing the storm door from latching fully.
In these cases a greater force is needed to overcome the pressure build-up, so an air by-pass valve is needed in the door closer. The by-pass allows the door to close at a faster speed, creating a "slamming" action that latches the door. Without this by-pass, the air will remain trapped in the door closer tube, preventing a full closure of the storm or screen
The By-Pass Feature
Steps to Adjust the Slamming Speed
By carefully adjusting your door closer, you can entirely disable, lessen, or increase the strength of the slam. The two methods that directly involve door closer adjustment are:
- Loosening or tightening the speed adjustment screw (this determines the speed in which air is released from your pneumatic door closer)
- Switching between the two seasonal adjustment holes, found where the closer meets the door bracket. Note that the farthest hole (marked in the image below with a - symbol) is the "winter" adjustment that may provide a greater kick or slam. The second hole (marked in the image below with a + symbol) is the "summer" adjustment, which allows for a smoother, slower close.
If these door closer adjustments do not work, verify the installation. Unless you are replacing your old door closer with the exact same style of closer, you will have to drill new holes per the instructions of your new closer, and use all of the included hardware with your new closer (brackets, pins, etc).
Other Factors to Consider
If your door closer is still slamming too strongly, other adjustments may need to be made near the storm or screen door itself. Nearby open windows, for instance, may be contributing to additional slamming due to the air passing through the window. Additionally, if you have made any major changes to the door itself between replacing the old closer for a new one of a similar style, you may need an entirely different style of closer to accommodate the changes made to your door.
Should you still be encountering difficulties with adjusting your door closer slamming speed or strength after making these adjustments, please contact us at [email protected] so that we may offer our assistance.