How to Balance a Garage Door
The springs and cables on a garage door over time become worn out. Eventually, the door will become off balance. This can become dangerous because a garage door that closes real quickly can harm you or your family members. A garage door that is balanced properly should remain stationary when it opens three to four feet. Whether you close it or open it, the door should always come to a gradual stop.
The good news is that you don’t have to call a professional to fix the problem. You can save yourself some money and balance a garage door yourself. It’s not hard at all and you don’t need many items to do a great job.
Items:
- Ladder
- Level
- Start with the door three feet above ground. Move the door up and down until the door stays stationary when it’s released. If the door is more than four feet or less than three feet above ground, it needs to be balanced.
- Do all adjustments with the garage door open. This relieves the pressure off of the door springs. Use a ladder to prop the garage door open. If the ladder you are using isn’t tall enough, use C-clamps in the door tracks to keep the door in its place.
- Check to see if the springs are compressed completely and remove them from the track hanger. If the door closed to fast, take the spring and move it to the higher hole on the bracket. If the door opened too fast, move the spring into the next lowest hole. Move the springs and check the balance.
- Shut the door and use a level to see if the door comes down even on both sides. If the door isn’t even on both sides, change the tension on each side.
- Adjust the lifting cable if adjusting the spring tension doesn’t work. The cable is joined to the door and will run to an S-hook that is connected to the track support. Make sure the door prop is open, remove the S-hook from the support, and loosen or tighten the cable as needed.