Doors That Slam Shut
When the closing or latching speed is set too fast, or the closer has lost control of the door, it slams. We adjust the closer so the door comes to a controlled, quiet close.
Door closer repair in Washington, DC usually starts when something changes: the door slams hard enough to rattle the frame, drifts shut so slowly it never latches, or leaves an oily streak down the door. On a busy entrance, those problems affect security, comfort and the wear on the rest of your door hardware.
Northwest DC Locksmith adjusts, repairs, replaces and installs door closers for offices, storefronts, restaurants and apartment buildings across Washington, DC. Call 202-798-0160 or book a visit to have your door checked.
If one of these sounds familiar, the closer is the first thing we check:
When the closing or latching speed is set too fast, or the closer has lost control of the door, it slams. We adjust the closer so the door comes to a controlled, quiet close.
A door that takes too long to close lets heated or cooled air out and may be left open behind people. Adjustment usually fixes it, unless the closer itself is failing.
If the door stops short of the frame, we check closer power, arm position, hinges and the latch so the door closes and latches on its own.
Oil on the closer body, the door or the floor means the internal seals have failed. A leaking hydraulic closer can't be adjusted back into shape and usually needs replacing.
Loose, bent or incorrectly mounted arms, and doors that have sagged on their hinges, throw off how a closer works. We re-secure or replace arms and correct alignment where possible.
We install surface-mounted closers on new doors, replace worn-out units, and choose closers suited to heavy commercial doors and high-traffic entrances.
1. Watch the door in action. We open and close the door several times to see how it moves, then look for oil leaks, loose arms, worn hinges and latch problems.
2. Adjust when we can. Most closers have separate controls for closing speed and latching speed, and many also have backcheck to slow the door when it’s pushed open hard. If the closer is in good condition, careful adjustment often solves the problem.
3. Repair or replace when needed. Leaking closers, stripped mounting holes or units too light for the door are replaced with a properly sized closer. You’ll get a price before any work begins.
4. Test the finished door. We make sure the door closes at a controlled speed and latches fully. If the latch, lock or panic bar is part of the problem, we can take care of that on the same visit.
We work on commercial surface-mounted closers, including LCN and Norton models, in the most common mounting styles:
Many people call these automatic door closers, since they close the door without anyone pulling it shut. Some doors, such as fire-rated or accessible entrances, have specific requirements for how they close. If you have questions about what your building requires, the DC Department of Buildings or your fire marshal is the right authority.
We service door closers on lobby and entrance doors in Dupont Circle and Van Ness, restaurant and retail doors in Adams Morgan and Georgetown, and office and apartment buildings in Tenleytown, Cleveland Park and Chevy Chase DC. If several doors in one building need attention, we can look at them in a single visit.
Have a door that slams or won’t close? Call 202-798-0160 or book a visit online. We’re available daily from 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM.
In most cases, no. When a hydraulic closer leaks oil, its internal seals have failed and it can no longer control the door reliably. Replacing it with a properly sized closer is usually the right fix.
Usually the closing or latching speed is set too fast, or the closer has lost fluid and can't control the door. If the closer isn't leaking, an adjustment often solves it.
Common causes include a closer that's too weak for the door, an arm that needs adjusting, a sagging door, worn hinges or a latch dragging on the strike. We check each of these before recommending repair or replacement.
Yes. We install surface-mounted closers on new and existing commercial doors, including LCN and Norton models, and choose a closer suited to the door's size, weight and traffic.
Cost depends on whether the closer needs an adjustment or a replacement, and on the type of door and closer. We inspect the door and give you a price before work begins.
Yes. We work on entrance, lobby, corridor and stairwell doors in apartment and condo buildings, and can check several doors in one visit.
Northwest DC Locksmith adjusts, repairs and installs commercial door closers for businesses and property managers across Washington, DC. Call us or book online to schedule a visit.
