Some movers came over while I was gone, and when I came back my door no longer closes shut automatically.
How can I go about fixing this?
Video of the door not closing automatically
Top hinge, missing a screw?! https://i.imgur.com/8UPUmfD.jpg
Door type: https://i.imgur.com/KARt6n2.jpg
I see a connecting bar at the top of the door very briefly in your video, that looks similar to what is discussed here.
I'm not familiar with these types of auto-close devices, but there is probably a pin that disconnects the auto-closing mechanism. The movers probably removed the pin to allow the door to stay open. Look to see how the bar attaches to the door and to the door frame.
So I need a pin? Or how does that work?
I honestly don't know as I've never seen one like this before.
Can you find a label on your screen door that has the brand and model? You might be able to find an installation manual online.
There is no screw or something missing.
https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/11ea1ip/comment/jaf1nbz/?context=3
Can you call the movers and ask what they did to keep the door open? Maybe one of the guys put the pin or screw in his pocket and forgot. He may bring it back. If nothing is missing they may assume you know how your door works. And may (should) be willing to come back.
That's what i vote for. Ask them how they disabled it, because we can't figure out how to re-enable it.
Looks like that spring can use a reset.
That extra hole that looks like it is missing a set screw is probably there to hold or release the coiled spring; however i dont know for sure because i havent owned one of these before.
I think it may work like this if you wanna give it a try: loosen set screw, unscrew the bar from the door-side, open the door fully. Put the bar (sans door) in the "fully closed" position and tighten the set screw. Pull the bar and door together; reattach.
Pulling the bar out from the closed position at the end should have resistance to it, so be careful.
Find the installation/owner's guide for your specific door/automatic closer on the manufacturer's website. It should have all the instructions you need for adjusting it.
Most auto-closing doors are adjustable to some extent, which helps in cases like this when someone wants to leave it open since they'll be going in and out constantly.
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It worked before though?
Could have gotten broken. Easy to replace though.
The door may have been forced open further than usual, taking it out of adjustment. They normally have 2 adjustments. One is closing speed, and the other is the latch. Sometimes both are adjusted by the same screw, (hydraulic) where a quarter turn adjusts the latch and a full turn adjusts the speed.
I don't see one in that video, which leads me to believe they took it off to make it easier to go in and out
Lol and then they just took it?!
If I were to do something like that I would set it down somewhere and then forget about it. I have no idea what they did.
Maybe a spring in the track? I've not seen that style before.
Looks like a screw is missing that would tighten down and hold tension on the track that bar slides upon.
Look around the ground in that area. The movers might have loosened it and then it fell on the ground while the door was swinging in the wind.
So, that spot at the top of the door frame where there are 4 screw holes is where the standard pneumatic door closer would have gone, you can even see the mounting bracket in the link provided and how it matches. If there was one installed on this door, there would be some screw holes in the top of the door. If not, then this door was replaced with this different style of closer that I have also never seen before.
I'm not exactly sure if the sliding bar that's on there now is supposed to provide some spring force, it looks like it's just for guidance and there is supposed to be a pneumatic cylinder mounted there as well, but I could be wrong.
This door has a hidden closer inside the top portion of the door. OP does not need a new closer.
From the Larson web site:
Why isn’t my door closing all the way? There are pads in the top mounting rail. In order for the closer to operate correctly, they need to be separated. To do that, just push the door open to 90 degrees and tighten the set screw in the pad closest to the hinges. Then just push the door closed to disconnect the pads. Make sure you have removed the hold open pin.
What is the pad? Is that the thing with a circle that has nothing in it?
Speculating, but based on what the other guy said from the website - do the two pieces with the arrows separate and slide apart, possibly with a spring between them if you gently try to slide?
My guess would be that you need to open, hold them apart so there’s some tension, then tighten the screw that’s in the little part so it stays in place (or, if there’s no screw, get one)
I believe so. You need a screw that fits in there. Then you can follow the procedure.
Hinges must be perfectly vertical
Replace the tube thing
What tube thing?
The thing that connects the door to the door frame. It has a tube and there's a metal piece that slides down it as it closes
So they likely broke it?
I am absolutely not a professional but I had that type of door growing up and it never "stopped working".
I don't know but my experience says they might have broken it
The "tube" they are referencing is inside the top of the door, where it connects to the door itself. It likely has small adjustment screws you can reach from the top. It might even show a name of the closer model.
It may have just been loosened. There is a screw at the end of it somewhere around the middle of the door. Tightening and loosening changes the resistance of the piston. You can make your screen door close faster or slower. They're not easy to break and may also have just worn out.
Where would I get one?
aircooledJenkins t1_jaf1nbz wrote
You have a Larson Storm Door with Hidden closer: https://www.larsondoors.com/hidden-closer
Here is how to adjust its mechanism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=relmbyVBQOI
Get a ladder, a flathead screw driver, and spend 5 minutes fixing the door.
Ignore everyone telling you that the movers removed an external pneumatic piston assembly, removed a pin, or in any way stole or broke your door. It likely just got knocked out of calibration by getting held open too far.