Storm doors can slam loudly if they are not properly adjusted. This can be annoying and disruptive, especially if you have the door near bedrooms or frequently use it yourself. Luckily, adjusting a storm door is usually a quick and straightforward process that involves tweaking the door closer or chain to alter how quickly the door shuts. With a few simple tools and following some easy steps, you can have your storm door closing smoothly and quietly in no time.
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What is a Storm Door and Why Might it Slam?
A storm door is an additional screen or glass door installed in front of an exterior access door. Storm doors create an airlock, which improves energy efficiency by preventing heat or cool air from escaping the house. They also provide extra weather protection, security, and ventilation.
Storm doors typically have a door closer mechanism near the hinges to automatically pull the door shut after it has been opened. This includes a hydraulic piston that regulates the speed and force of the closing door. Storm doors also often have an adjustable chain on the inside to prevent the door from swinging open too far.
If the door closer is calibrated too strongly, the storm door can slam loudly when it shuts. Reasons your storm door may be slamming include:
– The piston on the door closer is set too tight, causing the door to close too quickly.
– The chain is too loose and allowing the door to swing open very wide. A wider arc on opening means more force and speed on closing.
– The hinges are beginning to bind or stick, forcing the door closed rapidly.
– The door sweeps or threshold seal have created extra friction that the closer is working hard to overcome.
– Changes in temperature or humidity have caused expansion/contraction of components, altering the closing force.
– General wear and tear over time has thrown the closer out of calibration.
Luckily adjusting both the chain and door closer just takes a few minutes to fix a slamming storm door.
Tools and Supplies You Will Need
Adjusting the hardware on a storm door is a simple job requiring minimal standard household tools:
– Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers
– Needle nose pliers or adjustable wrench
– Rag for cleaning
– Graphite spray lubricant
– Sliding caliper or tape measure
You may also need replacement parts like new sweep seals or closer cylinders if those components are too worn out. Having spare screws, chain, and pins can also help make adjustments easier.
Before starting work, gather your tools and inspect the storm door components carefully. Try opening and closing the door to locate sources of friction or binding. Then prepare to follow the steps below.
How to Adjust the Chain
The first adjustment to try on a slamming storm door is tightening the chain to prevent it swinging open too far. Follow these steps:
1. Locate the chain or strap near the top of the door. There should be a screw to loosen it and tighten the slack in the chain.
2. Open the door part way to about a 45 degree angle. Make sure the chain has gone taut.
3. Tighten the screw to remove several links of slack from the chain. You want it short enough so the door cannot swing fully open and slam on the outside wall.
4. Test opening the door and see if the chain now prevents it from swinging too far open. The door should open to about 70-90 degrees.
5. If the door still opens too far, tighten the chain further by one link at a time until the arc of motion is reduced as needed.
6. If you tighten the chain fully but the door still swings too far open, the chain itself may need replacement with a shorter one.
Proper chain adjustment reduces the slamming impact on closing by limiting the opening arc. But adjusting the door closer is usually still required too.
How to Adjust the Door Closer Tension
After limiting the opening swing with the chain, you also need to adjust the actual door closer mechanism itself. This hydraulic piston regulates the speed and force applied when shutting the storm door. Follow these steps:
1. Locate the door closer housing near the top hinge of the storm door. There will be adjustable screw tensioners on the mechanism.
2. Open and close the door a few times and observe where in the arc it is slamming – at the start of closing or at the end when nearly shut?
3. If the slam happens with an initial burst of force, the main closing speed needs reducing. Loosen the tension screw about 1/4 turn counterclockwise.
4. If the slam happens at the end right before latching, the door closer hydraulic fluid needs bleeding. Loosen the bleed screw a 1/4 counterclockwise turn to release some pressure.
5. Test the door opening and closing a few times to check the adjustments. The door should close smoothly in 3-5 seconds without any slamming.
6. If not adjusted yet, keep tweaking the tension and bleed screws in 1/4 turn increments as needed to slow the action.
7. Once adjusted properly without slamming, tighten any loose screws fully to lock the door closer back into position.
Getting the right door closer speed and tension takes some trial and error. But with a few simple adjustments, you can get it regulating properly to prevent any more slamming.
What If My Storm Door Still Slams After Adjustments?
Sometimes even after adjusting both the chain and door closer, an old storm door will still slam loudly. This is often due to excessive friction with the sweeps or hinge wear preventing smooth motion. Try these troubleshooting tips if your door still slams:
– Spray any sticky hinges with graphite lubricant and work the door back and forth. This frees up the hinges if they are binding.
– Check if door sweeps or bottom seals are excessively worn or rubbing. Replace any damaged sweeps.
– Check for loose or misaligned components like the door latch not catching properly. Adjust alignment if needed.
– Install new vinyl door edge guards or sweep seals to reduce friction along the door jamb.
– Ultimately the hydraulics in the closer may be completely worn out and in need of replacement if adjustments do not help. Install a brand new closer.
– For extreme cases, you may need to replace the storm door entirely if other solutions do not work. Worn hinges and friction can prevent even a new closer from working properly.
With some diligent troubleshooting and component replacements where needed, you should be able to stop even the most stubborn slamming storm door. But when in doubt, replacing the entire door may be required.
How to Prevent Storm Door Slamming
Once you have a storm door adjusted and closing smoothly, you will want to maintain it properly to prevent slamming from recurring. Follow these storm door care tips:
– Annually lubricate hinges and inspect bottom sweep condition to reduce friction.
– Test and adjust door closer tension and chain before seasons change. Temperature swings alter hydraulic pressures.
– Ensure latches and locks engage properly to hold the door closed without slamming against them. Adjust strike plates if needed.
– Close the door gently and do not let it fly open or closed. This preserves the closer calibration and prevents jarring out of adjustment.
– Keep exterior door jambs clean and use vinyl strips to seal gaps that cause wind whistling which can suck the door open too wide or blow it closed.
– Consider adding magnet catches or extra stabilizer bars at top and bottom corners to hold the door in place and prevent slamming from wind gusts.
– Eventually pneumatic closers may need rebuilt or replaced every 5-7 years under normal usage when they lose proper calibration ability.
With preventative maintenance and use of care when opening and closing, your adjusted storm door should stay slam-free for many years. But periodic closer tension adjustment may still be needed over time.
Conclusion
Slamming storm doors can be incredibly disruptive and annoying. But they usually just require some simple mechanical adjustments to fix the issue. Start with tightening the restraining chain to limit the opening arc of the door. Then tweak the door closer speed and tension hydraulic settings to smooth out the closing force. If slamming persists, look at lubricating or replacing worn components causing excessive friction. And be sure to use care when operating the door to prevent it going back out of adjustment. With the right tools and following these steps, you can eliminate a slamming storm door quickly and easily. Just be patient while dialing in the proper hardware adjustments. Your household will appreciate a peacefully closing storm door protecting your entryway.
| Storm Door Slamming Solutions | Steps |
|---|---|
| Adjust restraining chain |
|
| Adjust door closer speed |
|
| Lubricate sticky hinges |
|
| Replace worn components |
|
Preventing Ongoing Storm Door Slamming Issues
Regular Maintenance
– Lubricate hinges annually
– Adjust chain and closer with seasonal temp changes
– Test latches and locks engage properly
Proper Door Operation
– Open and close gently
– Keep gaps and jambs sealed
– Add stabilizer bars if wind shakes door
Component Replacement
– Rebuild or replace pneumatic closers every 5-7 years
– Adjust settings immediately if slamming recurs