In order to function properly, your garage door needs to be balanced. It’s similar to having your tires balanced. When one side is heavier than the other, the weight is displaced and will negatively affect your garage door. An unbalanced door can pose safety issues and place an unwanted strain on the garage door opener itself. Here’s what to do when your garage door is unbalanced.
How to Prevent Your Garage Door From Getting Off Balance
In order to prevent your garage door from becoming unbalanced, Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Indianapolis, IN recommends that you perform regular maintenance on your garage door. This maintenance is best done at least once per year.
However, those who have little to no experience with garage door systems are encouraged to call the professionals at Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Indianapolis, IN for a consultation or assistance with maintenance. Below, you will find instructions on how to balance your garage door.
Which Side is Unbalanced?
If your garage door is not opening or closing with ease, you will need to determine which side is not moving properly. Another indicator that the tension is off is if the door does not stay in place while being open halfway.
To determine which side is off balance, do the following:
- Unplug the power cord from the garage door motor.
- Unhook the door from the opener by pulling the emergency release cord.
- Pay close attention to how the door is hanging without support of the opener.
- Open and close the door manually to see how well it moves without support.
- Open the door halfway to see if it will hang in place.
Adjusting the Springs
The springs will need to be adjusted in order to balance your garage door. These springs provide lift and resistance to the garage door. Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Indianapolis, Indiana recommends that you do not do this without assistance if you have torsion springs. Adjusting them can be very dangerous, even causing fatalities, without proper assistance and knowledge of torsion springs.
If you have extension springs, however, you may do this on your own. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like assistance balancing your garage door, Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Indianapolis, IN will be happy to help you!
Safety Cable Removal
Before working on loosening and/or adjusting the extension springs, you will need to remove the safety cables from your garage door. If you notice that your door does not have these safety cables, this indicates you have torsion springs.
Please call a professional to assist you with these. They require the correct tools and procedures to safely remove them.
Spring Removal
Once the safety cables have been removed, you will need to unhook the springs from the garage door. After you have done this, move the hook to the next hole. If you noticed the door was closing too quickly during the testing, move the spring to the next highest hold on the bracket.
If the door was opening too quickly, move it to the next lower hole. You will need to repeat this procedure for the other side, as well. Retest the balance of the door to ensure that it is balanced.
Contact Us Today to Balance Your Door
The team here at Neighborhood Garage Door Service of /Indianapolis/, IN can come out and balance your door. Our technician will look at the track and determine if there is damage. They will take care of your repair today.
