Why it can't be fixed
A closer controls the door with hydraulic fluid pushed through small valves. Once the seals leak, it loses fluid, and no adjustment brings back the control. Closers aren't designed to be refilled or resealed in the field. A leaking closer gets replaced.
What to watch for
- Oily film or drips on the closer body, arm or floor
- The door slams or swings shut fast
- The door drifts open or won't close fully
- A floor closer leaving oil around the pivot
Replacing the closer
We match the closer to the door's size, weight and use, and reuse the arm and mounting where they're still sound. The new closer is then adjusted for closing speed, latch speed and backcheck so the door closes firmly and safely. Floor closers in storefront doors are a bigger job, because the unit sits in a box under the threshold.
Why not wait
A slamming door is hard on the glass, the frame and the hinges or pivots, and can injure someone. A door that won't close can leave the building unsecured or let heat and cooling out.
Questions
Can I just tighten the valves on a leaking closer?
It might slow it down briefly, but the fluid keeps leaking out and control fades again. Replacement is the real fix.