How do you adjust a self closing spring hinge?

Adjusting a self closing spring hinge is an important maintenance task that ensures your doors close properly. Over time, springs can weaken or door alignments can shift, preventing the hinge from closing the door completely. Proper spring hinge adjustment restores the door’s self-closing function and prevents the door from staying open unintentionally.

What is a self closing spring hinge?

A self closing spring hinge is a special type of hinge designed to automatically close the door after it has been opened. It contains a spring mechanism inside the body of the hinge that creates a closing force. This force pulls the door closed once it has been opened past a certain point.

Self closing hinges are commonly used on doors in commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, and other public spaces. They ensure doors close and latch properly for safety and security reasons. Self closing mechanisms are also useful on exterior doors and gates to prevent them from being left open accidentally.

Some key characteristics of self closing spring hinges include:

• Spring tension that provides 15-25 pounds of closing force
• Adjustable spring tension to control the speed at which the door closes
• Hydraulic fluid dampening that prevents the door from slamming
• Ball bearing swivel joints for smooth opening and closing motion
• High grade steel or stainless steel construction
• ANSI/BHMA grade 1 or 2 for heavy duty performance

When to adjust a self closing spring hinge

Self closing hinges should be adjusted when the door is not latching properly or fails to fully close after being opened. Common signs that a spring hinge needs adjustment include:

• The door drifts open after initially closing
• The latch does not engage with the strike plate when the door closes
• The door only partially closes and bounces back open
• The door slams loudly and forcefully when closing
• The door closes too slowly and takes too long to latch

As the spring mechanism wears over time, the tension will weaken and prevent the hinge from closing the door completely. Friction in the hinge body can also build up over many opening and closing cycles, slowing the closing action. Adjusting the hinge helps compensate for this natural wear and restore proper self closing function.

How to adjust a self closing spring hinge

Adjusting a self closing hinge involves increasing or decreasing the spring tension inside the hinge body. This is done by turning an adjustment screw or cam located on the body of the hinge itself. Here are the basic steps:

1. Open the door to access the exposed hinge plates.
2. Locate the tension adjustment screw or cam on the body of the hinge. It may be a slotted screw or a rotating cam mechanism.
3. To increase tension, turn the adjustment screw clockwise or rotate the cam downward. Turn counter-clockwise or rotate upward to decrease tension.
4. Make small incremental adjustments and check door closing after each turn. Adjust again if needed.
5. The door should fully close and latch from an open position of around 30 degrees. Adjust until this motion is achieved.
6. After adjustment, check that the door does not slam loudly when closing.
7. Use thread locking fluid or tape on the tension screw threads to prevent loosening.

On some spring hinge models, a second adjustment screw is provided to regulate the closing speed. This allows you to control the force so the door closes smoothly without slamming. If your hinge has 2 adjustment points, you may need to alternate between the 2 screws to tune both closing force and speed.

How much tension should a self closing hinge have?

The ideal tension range for a self closing hinge to properly latch a door is around 15-25 pounds of closing force. This provides enough power for the hinge to overcome friction and draw the door securely closed without requiring excessive effort when opening manually.

Measuring the exact closing force requires a spring scale gauge. If one is not available, you can evaluate the tension qualitatively by the amount of effort required to manually hold the door open against the spring force.

Use these general benchmarks for tension adjustment on a scale from 1-10:

• 1-2: Very low tension; door does not fully close
• 3-4: Tension is noticeable but door still drifts open
• 5-7: Ideal tension range; door latches securely but is not hard to open
• 8-10: High tension; door closes forcefully and is difficult to reopen

Finding the optimal tension level may require some trial and error testing after each adjustment. Check door latching and listen for slamming repeatedly while tuning the hinge. Get help from a second person to confirm the door motion if needed.

Troubleshooting problems adjusting a self closing hinge

Some common issues that may arise when adjusting a self closing hinge include:

Door still won’t fully close

• Increase spring tension in small increments until door latches
• Check for loose hinge mounting screws or wear in hinge body
• Inspect alignment of strike plate; reposition if needed
• Clear any obstructions or friction points along door swing

Door slams loudly when closing

• Slightly decrease tension and slow closing speed
• Apply lubricant to hinge knuckle and pivot points
• Adjust door closer speed control valve if equipped
• Install soft closing door buffers to prevent slamming

Door drifts open after closing initially

• Dead latch may need adjustment or replacement
• Increase spring tension for stronger latching force
• Check alignment of strike plate and dead latch

Latch and strike do not align

• Shim strike plate until latch inserts cleanly
• Sand inside edge of door for consistent clearance
• Align both hinges for proper door swing

In some cases, there may be underlying issues such as loose hinge screws, sagging doors, or misaligned frames that prevent proper adjustment. Seek professional help for any significant door or hardware problems.

Maintenance tips for self closing hinges

Regular maintenance can maximize the lifespan of your self closing hinges and prevent issues. Follow these tips:

• Lubricate hinge knuckles every 6 months with spray lubricant or light oil
• Check screws and tighten any loose hinge leaves
• Clean dirt buildup and debris from hinge joints
• Open and close door fully to distribute lubricant
• Adjust spring tension if door begins closing slowly
• Have hinges professionally serviced if worn or damaged

When to replace a self closing hinge

Replace self closing spring hinges when they can no longer be adjusted to properly close the door. Warning signs include:

• Loose screws that cannot be tightened
• Sagging door that will not align properly
• Worn out springs that have lost tension
• Broken or cracked hinge leaves
• Seized pivot points that do not move smoothly

Hinges with any of these defects cannot function reliably and should be replaced. Select high quality steel hinges certified to ANSI/BHMA standards for optimal durability and performance.

Conclusion

Adjusting self closing spring hinges is a useful skill that helps ensure doors operate safely and properly. Listen for any slamming, watch for doors drifting open, and act promptly when adjustment is needed. With routine maintenance and tuning, self closing hinges will provide years of trouble-free performance.