Proper Garage Door Balance

A garage door uses a spring system to counter balance the weight of the garage door.

Proper garage door balance.

A door that starts sliding down slams closed on its own or that opens further on its own needs its springs adjusted. Some balancing may be completed by skilled diyers while other balancing may require you to hire a garage door professional. When a garage door is properly balanced the springs completely support the door and the door remains in place with minimal upward or downward movement. Balance the garage door if it lowers or raises on its own.

To do this you ll have to disconnect your garage door from your opener and check how well the door hangs on its own. Should your door be manually operated proper balance will allow you to lift and close it with minimal effort. The springs extend along the shaft and work by twisting as the garage door closes by means of cables attached to each side of the lowest garage door panel. Move the garage door up and down until you find a place where the door stays suspended when you let go.

If the door continues to rise the spring tension is too strong. A problem with the spring tension could cause the door to open or close unevenly improperly or at the wrong speed and adjusting the springs will likely solve the problem. If the door falls to the lower position quickly the spring tension is too weak. A balanced garage door is an important part of your garage.

In a sectional torsion spring system this is done using one or more torsion springs that are attached to a torsion tube at the top of the garage door opening. If that point is more than four feet or less than three feet above the ground you will need to balance the door. A balanced garage door will keep your automatic opener happy by working with the weight limits it was designed for. This tension makes it easier to lift the garage door from its closed position.

Garage door springs offset the weight of the door and allow it to open and close with ease. Checking the garage door balance before you can adjust your garage door you have to know in which direction it s out of balance.