Door Closer Repair and Installation

What Door Closer Problems Do We Fix?

Oil leaks, doors slamming, doors not latching, inconsistent closing speed, and broken arms. Door closers are hydraulic. The cylinder contains oil that controls how fast the door swings. When the seals wear out, oil leaks and the closer loses hydraulic control. That's when doors start slamming or not closing at all.

We also see a lot of broken closer arms. Someone props a door open with the arm extended past its limit and the metal fatigues. Replacement arms are cheaper than a full closer and we carry the most common sizes in the van.

What Door Closer Brands Do We Install?

LCN, Norton, Dorma/Dormakaba, Yale, and Hager. LCN 4040XP and 4041 are the industry workhorses for commercial doors. We've installed thousands of them. Norton 7500 is a solid mid-range option. Dorma/Dormakaba TS93 is what we use for heavy doors and high-traffic entries.

According to the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI), a commercial door closer in a high-traffic building (80-100 cycles per day) should last 7-10 years. Cheaper closers fail in 2-3 years. We install closers rated for the traffic your door actually sees.

How Do We Size a Door Closer?

Closer size is rated 1-6 based on door width and weight. A size 3 handles standard 36-inch commercial doors up to 110 lbs. A size 5 handles 48-inch doors up to 220 lbs. Most storefront and office doors need a size 3 or 4. Double doors and heavy fire doors need size 5-6.

We also adjust the backcheck, sweep speed, and latch speed during installation. Backcheck prevents the door from swinging open too hard (important in windy Plantation and surrounding cities). Sweep controls the closing speed. Latch speed controls the final 5 degrees where the door latches shut.

ADA Compliance and Door Closer Settings

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets specific requirements for door closer force and speed. Interior doors must open with no more than 5 lbs of force. Exterior doors have no force limit but must close slowly enough for wheelchair users. The door must take at least 5 seconds to close from the fully open position to 12 degrees from the latch.

Triton Locksmith Plantation adjusts every closer we install to meet these ADA requirements. We carry a force gauge on the van to measure and document compliance. For ADA compliance audits, we test every door and provide a written report.

Types of Commercial Door Closer Mounts

• Regular arm (standard): Closer mounts on the pull side of the door. The arm extends straight out. Most common installation.
• Top jamb mount: Closer mounts on the frame header instead of the door. Used when the door face is not suitable for mounting (glass, decorative).
• Parallel arm: Closer mounts on the push side. The arm folds parallel to the door. Used on aluminum storefront doors and when aesthetic appearance matters. Slightly less efficient than regular arm.
• Concealed/overhead: Closer hidden inside the door header. Found in upscale lobbies and conference rooms. Dormakaba and ASSA ABLOY make the best concealed closers.

When to Repair vs. Replace a Door Closer

Replace if it is leaking oil, is more than 8 years old, or cannot hold adjustment. Repair if the problem is a broken arm, loose mounting screws, or incorrect valve settings. Arm replacement costs $75-$150 and takes 15 minutes. A full closer replacement costs $200-$400 and takes 30-60 minutes. Triton Locksmith Plantation always inspects the existing closer before recommending replacement.

Where Does Triton Locksmith Plantation Service Door Closers?

Any commercial building across Plantation and surrounding cities. Offices, retail, restaurants, medical facilities, schools, and government buildings. Plantation, Lauderhill, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Davie. Same-day service. Call (954) 994-2625.