Marcia,
Storm Door Assessment
Rapid closure causes loud noise - suspect worn pneumatic closer.
Inspection
Older, thin-line Storm Door - combo glass and sheet-metal kick panel. Door wracked due to:
1 - Sagging door due to failing "piano hinge" as evidenced by deformity seen on upper left of the door frame.
2 - Door impacts at top of right-side external door frame first - scraped bare metal evidence.
3 - Resulting "top first" door impact causes gap between door and frame at bottom right produces additional noise.
4 - Lower right door frame trim screws allow secondary impact (see below):
1 - Sagging door due to failing "piano hinge" as evidenced by deformity seen on upper left of the door frame.
2 - Door impacts at top of right-side external door frame first - scraped bare metal evidence.
3 - Resulting "top first" door impact causes gap between door and frame at bottom right produces additional noise.
4 - Lower right door frame trim screws allow secondary impact (see below):
5 - Pneumatic closer fails at final compression.
6 - Door handle / striker plate loose, worn, and noisy.
6 - Door handle / striker plate loose, worn, and noisy.
Current Closing Noise:
Remedy
1 - Tightened and replaced screws in exterior frame trim to eliminate "secondary slapping.".
2 - Replaced Door Closer with new, upgraded unit. Adjusted same for least-impact closing.
3 - Replaced Door handle / striker plate.
4 - Applied adhesive foam rubber pads to soften closure.
5 - Attempted to "wrack door" back into proper shape for even impact. No success.
2 - Replaced Door Closer with new, upgraded unit. Adjusted same for least-impact closing.
3 - Replaced Door handle / striker plate.
4 - Applied adhesive foam rubber pads to soften closure.
5 - Attempted to "wrack door" back into proper shape for even impact. No success.
Result
Door has only slightly less impact, due to:
1 - Unfixable, malformed shape.
2 - Left side "piano hinge" sagging due to age/weightload failure.
3 - Worn weatherstripping on door frame impact strip.
4 - Loose, worn lower metal "kick plate" panel which adds to impact resonance. (This MAY be reducible by gluing a secondary panel - wood, Styrofoam, fabric leather - to dampen resonance.)
1 - Unfixable, malformed shape.
2 - Left side "piano hinge" sagging due to age/weightload failure.
3 - Worn weatherstripping on door frame impact strip.
4 - Loose, worn lower metal "kick plate" panel which adds to impact resonance. (This MAY be reducible by gluing a secondary panel - wood, Styrofoam, fabric leather - to dampen resonance.)
Resultant Impact Sound - only slightly less noise.
Suggestion
Sadly, the door itself is beyond repair to quiet slam without major modifications.
A complete replacement (quality door alone - @$300) would be quieter but, to what degree, it's difficult to predict.
I keep the old parts and receipts, but unless you want them to recover costs from the landlord or deduct them from rent, I will retain them. Consider it my next "tip.'
From the exterior condition of the wood work on the building, it seems that a quality rather than functional repair might not be a landlord priority. The water heater leak is a far more crucial concern.
I did my best... and hope the repairs offer SOME relief from the intrusive sound.
"Old age; sagging, semi-functional, and noisy. How metaphorical!" - mjh
A complete replacement (quality door alone - @$300) would be quieter but, to what degree, it's difficult to predict.
I keep the old parts and receipts, but unless you want them to recover costs from the landlord or deduct them from rent, I will retain them. Consider it my next "tip.'
From the exterior condition of the wood work on the building, it seems that a quality rather than functional repair might not be a landlord priority. The water heater leak is a far more crucial concern.
I did my best... and hope the repairs offer SOME relief from the intrusive sound.
"Old age; sagging, semi-functional, and noisy. How metaphorical!" - mjh
M