Got a call for a hollow aluminum door that wasn’t latching, thought it might be an easy fix on my way home. Those are often the jobs that end up getting you all dirty and take a lot of time in the end! This one was no different. I had to take the door down and reinstall the concealed closer because the last guys to do this used tiny sheet metal screws to install this closer.
When I opened the cover for the closer all the sheet metal screws fell on the floor. The only screw keeping the entire door from falling down was one broken screw! If that screw came out the whole door would have fallen down on somebody after they opened the door and it probably would have been a big lawsuit.
To make this even crazier I did a job just like this earlier the same week with a concealed closer rattling around inside the header, totally not secured. Weird to encounter this problem twice in one week. Strangely, companies put their stickers on after servicing these doors. I can’t be sure somebody else didn’t work on these doors after so I wouldn’t post the business names but the injury lawyers will probably enjoy these companies making it easier to track them down!
Concealed door closer was held in place with one broken screw!
This is one of those things where somebody was completely negligent, not using the 1/4×20 screws that came with the closer and following the instructions. Instead they said, “Oh, self tapping #8 screws will work fine. At least long enough for me to get paid!” This is one of those situations where it might be better to not go with the lowest bidder. Maybe go with somebody in the middle for something as mission critical as the front door to your building.