Our storm door is stuck open due to the pneumatic closing device being jammed, I believe. I think it was opened too far, and now we can't get the release to give. I don't want to force it for fear of breaking it. Is there hope for it, or should I just see about replacing the mechanism?

 

Welcome to the forums!! What an Elizabethan way of spelling your name. As inexpensive as they are, I would opt for replacement. Also, check to see if you have a chain that it is properly installed to prevent over extension of the door when the wind hits it. If it was over extended, there is a possibility of the rod becoming bent, and a replacement would be necessary anyway.

 

I agree with the replacement suggestion.Remove the closer and take it with you to try and get as close a match especially in length as possible.It is very unlikely that the exisiting mounting hardware will work with any replacements you find so be prepared to remount a new closer.If the door does not have a chian as suggested I'd put one on.

 

hi, its possible that if its got a button on the end instead of the usual washer on the rod, that maybe you have accidentally pressed the button and opened door engaging it to hold open in any position, to release it just pull door alittle and it will release closed.

the closers that have a button and not the hold open washer on the rod end is called the touch n' hold.

heres the website that sells them
https://id307.securedata.net/touchnh...tore/index.php

if the closer is NOT this kind and is the washer-on-rod type then its posible that if you heard what sounded like a snapping sound when it happened that you snapped the spring inside that makes it close the door. if thats what happened, since screen door closers are not rebuildable only option is to replace it with a new closer.

hope this helps in figureing out the problem and good luck.

 

Thanks everyone. Took the closer bit off the door and carried it in to Home Depot, where it was declared DOA. Bought a new one and installed it and our door once again closes properly.

 

This is what I got from the*******guys and it did the trick. They were awesome....so helpful!

"This happens from time to time. What happens is sometimes the washer
inside the closer divets the rod and can't release over the divet to close
the door. Not a big deal, just a minor annoyance.

Try the following:

Take the closer off the door (simply pop the pins out of the brackets).
Once in your hand you will notice at the end of the rod that will not
retract a hole where the pin held it to the door bracket. Find a
screwdriver with a neck thin enough to fit in that hole.

Using the screwdriver as a handle, spin the rod 180 degrees from its
current position. You can spin the rod right or left, it doesn't matter.
You may hear it click, that is okay. Once spun, pull the rod out further
from the closer. DO NOT TOUCH THE BUTTON (this is a hold open feature,
not
a release feature).

When pulling the rod further out from the closer, you should feel it start
to release within your hand. Let it retract. It should retract fully
back
into the closer. If so, then your closer is fixed!!! If not, try
rotating
a little further."

 

After searching & SEARCHING the internet, this fix listed just prior did the trick immediately. It doesn't prevent the one-button closer from jamming (which seems to indicate the pneumatic portion is going out, or maybe it's bent from a kid slamming it open), but I can take it off each time & get the danged thing to close... THANKS!!!

 

I just created account to say that doorguy1 helped me out! I had been playing around with the closer, even twisting it, but I just assumed I needed to hold the release button as it was part of the problem.

Anyway, get it fixed and put back on. Thank you so much!

-SM

 

Thanks for posting this earlier - it worked for me.

Take the closer off the door (simply pop the pins out of the brackets).
Once in your hand you will notice at the end of the rod that will not
retract a hole where the pin held it to the door bracket. Find a
screwdriver with a neck thin enough to fit in that hole.

Using the screwdriver as a handle, spin the rod 180 degrees from its
current position. You can spin the rod right or left, it doesn't matter.
You may hear it click, that is okay. Once spun, pull the rod out further
from the closer.

When pulling the rod further out from the closer, you should feel it start
to release within your hand. Let it retract. It should retract fully
back into the closer. This should fix the problem.

 

Welcome to the forums.

Thanks for the additional information on this somewhat common problem based on the page views for this thread.

This thread is getting fairly old and actually too large to be brought back into the main forums. It will remain in our searchable archives where it will always be available for referencing.

If this thread doesn't give you the help you need - please feel free to start a new one and you can always reference this one in your new thread.