Door Closer Leaking Oil

Having a door closer malfunction is usually a good sign! It means your business has customers that are entering and exiting your door. But a door closer that slams or stops altogether can pose a very dangerous situation to you and your customers. If your door closer slams it could easily break a customers limb, throw her to the ground, knock her unconscious, or severe fingers. Aside from a lawsuit, you as a manager or business owner would never be able to live with the fact that your negligence in maintaining your door closers maimed a person. Here is what you can do to maintain you door closer.

1. Take a small flat head screwdriver and a set of Allen wrenches. On either side of the surface mounted closer, or in the header, you will see two or three screws. One screw controls the speed of the door from full open to about 2/3rds closed. This is called the sweep. The second screw controls the speed from the 2/3rds mark to close. This is called the latch. It is hard to know which is which sometimes. Usually 1 is sweep and 2 is latch. If your door is closing too fast, turn one of the screws a half turn and see where the door slowed down. Was it the sweep or latch? By tightening these screws slowly, you can reduce the closing speeds. If you tighten them all of the way down, then the door should stop in the open position. However, never unloosen the screws to where they fall out because hydraulic fluid will shoot out and you will ruin the closer.
2. Check for fluid leakage around the closer. Touch the closer. Is there an oily or sticky feel to it? Often, a broken closer has leaking oil. Sometimes, a closer is leaking but has not broken fully. If you see oil leaking, the closer must be replaced. Not only will the closer eventually slam, but someone may slip on the oil or have their clothes ruined.
3. If your door stays open, the spring in the closer is probably ruined. Replace it.
4. If you have an overhead concealed closer, expect to pay $450 to have it replaced. It usually takes two people to install one. This unit will cost the locksmith about $110. A surface mounted closer can cost you from $195 to $500 depending on brand. A nice LCN 4041 would be expensive. A Grade 1 LSDA closer would be your best bet. All closers come in either Bronze or silver.

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