If it fails: the first hour
What the site contact should do before the technician arrives.
- Confirm the door can still be opened manually from the inside in an emergency
- Prop or tape the door if it will not latch and the space needs to stay secured another way
- Note the door location and hardware type for the service call
What fails
What a service call includes
- Diagnose whether the issue is hydraulic failure, adjustment, or a worn mechanical part
- Adjust closer sweep speed, latch speed, and backcheck to code-compliant settings
- Replace a leaking or failed closer with a matched unit for the door size and use
- Service or replace panic hardware, including rods, latches, and touchpads
- Replace worn hinges, including upgrading to ball-bearing or continuous hinges on heavy-use doors
- Tighten and reset kickplates, pulls, and other surface-mounted hardware
- Troubleshoot electric strikes and access control wiring at the door
- Verify opening force meets accessibility requirements after adjustment
Preventive checklist
The items a maintenance program should carry for this system. Build a combined checklist across systems with the checklist builder.
Quarterly
- Test closer speed and full latching on every visit
- Lubricate hinges and panic hardware
- Check for loose screws on kickplates and pulls
Annual
- Full closer hydraulic inspection for leaks
- Opening force test against ADA maximums
- Electric strike and access hardware function test
- Hinge wear assessment on high-cycle doors
What it costs
| item | typical range | what moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Door closer adjustment | $75 to $150 | Simple adjustment calls without parts replacement. |
| Door closer replacement | $200 to $500 | Cost varies with closer grade and whether it is surface-mounted or concealed. |
| Panic hardware repair or replacement | $250 to $650 | Fire-rated exit devices cost more than standard panic hardware. |
| Hinge replacement (ball-bearing, per door) | $100 to $250 | Continuous hinges for heavy doors run higher than standard butt hinges. |
| Electric strike troubleshooting and repair | $200 to $500 | Cost depends on whether the issue is the strike itself or the access control wiring feeding it. |
National ranges. Local labor, access, after-hours timing and materials move them. Multi-site programs usually price below one-off calls.
How to choose a provider
- Ask if the provider stocks common closer models and panic hardware for same-visit repair
- Confirm they test and document opening force for ADA compliance, not just adjust by feel
- Ask about experience with electrified and access-controlled openings if the building uses key card entry
- Get a per-door quote rather than a flat visit fee if multiple doors need hardware work
- Ask whether they warranty adjustment work separately from parts replacement
Questions
Why does the door slam shut?
Almost always a hydraulic closer that has lost fluid through a worn seal, or a closer that was adjusted too fast for the door weight.
Can a closer be adjusted instead of replaced?
If the closer holds fluid and just needs speed or latch adjustment, yes. A closer that leaks fluid or has lost internal pressure needs replacement.
What is the maximum force allowed to open an accessible door?
Interior doors on an accessible route are generally limited to 5 pounds of force to open, with different standards for exterior and fire doors. A technician familiar with ADA requirements can test and adjust to the applicable limit.
Why does the panic bar stick sometimes but not always?
Usually a lubrication issue in the rod mechanism or a latch that is slightly misaligned with the strike, both of which get worse with humidity and temperature swings.