The Balance Of Your Garage Door Is Dependent On The Springs
Posted on: 24 June 2017
If you're having trouble with your garage door opening and closing, it may be caused by a problem with the springs. The garage door will easily open and close either with the garage door opener or manually as long as the springs are adjusted correctly and the garage door is balanced. It is recommended that you check the balance of your garage door at least once a year, especially if you typically operate it with an opener. There are no tools required to test the balance of the garage door, but if it isn't balanced correctly, trying to do this type of garage door repair on your own may result in severe injuries, so you should call a professional to do the repairs for you.
What Are Garage Door Springs Used For?
There are several different parts that work together in order for the garage door to operate correctly, but the springs play an extremely important role in the balance of the door. The purpose of the springs is to counteract the doors force of gravity, which means the door springs are meant to make the door light enough for you to lift on your own and/or for the power of the opener to raise it easily. There are two primary types of garage door springs: extension springs and torsion springs.
- Extension springs - in most situations, these are mounted above the garage door track. However, in some situations they may be mounted vertically on the sides of the track. Extension springs use the pulling force of the spring to pull the door upward, against gravity.
- Torsion Springs - these springs are typically mounted directly above the garage door. In older homes that have less room in the garage, they may be mounted towards the rear of the garage. Torsion springs, when installed and operating correctly are responsible for balancing the door. Balanced in this case basically means that the door should use the same amount of pressure to open and close and be easy to manually lift. Torsion springs are designed to last a long time, but over time they weaken and can break.
How to Tell if the Spring is Properly Balanced
A well-functioning garage door should open and close quietly and smoothly. If it stops working try to operate the door manually by pulling the cord that is attached to the arm of the connecting rail trolley system. If it is still difficult to operate the door, disconnect the operating system and open the garage door halfway by hand and then let go of the door. There may be some slight movement, but if the door is balanced the door will stay in the same position. If the door opens on its own or wants to drop on its own, the garage door springs need to be adjusted.
The springs, along with the help of other components, including cables, the drum, hinges, track and rollers are responsible for the smooth operation of your garage door. However, the springs are responsible for maintaining the balance of the door, so if the door appears to be unbalanced it is important to repair or replace the springs as soon as possible.
Avoiding repairs or replacing the springs may cause damage to other components of the garage door and it increases the risk of injury should the garage door fall. It is important to understand that replacing or repairing the extension or the torsion springs is not a DIY project. Keep in mind that the springs are responsible for lifting about a 400 pound door, so it can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening to repair them on your own.
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