A Garage Door uses a spring system to counter balance the weight of the garage door. 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. The torsion tube has drums attached at the ends with cables attached to the drums and to the bottom bracket of the garage door on both sides. The springs provide the force or counter balance while the cables actually raise and lower the garage door. The garage door has rollers that travel in tracks when the garage door opens and closes.
Extension spring systems use springs to provide the force or counter balance for the garage door, but in the extension spring system, the springs attach on both side of the garage door with one end of the spring attaching to angle iron or wooden supports at the top end of the track. The other end of the spring attaches to the cables using a pulley system. The cables run through this pulley system and attach to the bottom bracket on the garage door on both sides. The springs then provide the force or counter balance to open and close the garage door. The garage door still uses rollers and tracks to hold the door in place during opening and closing.
Properly balancing a garage door first requires the use of the proper size spring or springs. Spring size for garage doors is determined by first determining what the total weight of the door with all hardware. If the spring or springs are to large the garage door will try to open itself, an can cause damage to the garage door or any of its parts, including the garage door opener if one is installed. If the spring or springs are too small, the garage door will feel heavy. This can cause damage to the garage door, garage door parts and an opener if one is installed, because the garage door and parts are having to support too much weight.
In a torsion spring or extension spring system, minor adjustments can be made by adding tension to the spring or springs or releasing tension but, only for minor adjustments. It is very critical for the life of the garage door, garage door parts and garage door opener that the proper size spring or springs are used.
To check for proper balance, you must first disconnect the garage door opener if one is installed. You can disconnect the garage door opener by pulling the red rope, usually there is also a handle, that will disconnect the garage door from the trolley. Doing this will allow you to manually open and close the garage door. When manually opening your garage door, if your door is properly balanced, should require using only one hand. The door should raise very easily, but should not try to fly open or open by itself with no force being applied to the Garage door. During the process of raising the garage door, the door should stop and stay when released as each panel of the garage door separates from the next panel. If the door will not stay in each partially open position, the door is not properly balanced.
You also need to check the door when manually closing the door. The door should close easily, but should not slam closed. Again you should stop as each panel reconnects with the next panel. If the door will not stay in each partially closed position by itself, when you release the garage door, the door is not properly balanced.
You can only test your garage door for proper balance when opening and closing the door manually. You will not be able to check for proper balance with a garage door opener attached to the garage door.
If your garage door is not properly balanced it can and will eventually cause damage to the garage door, garage door parts and your garage door opener. If the spring or springs are too strong they can cause the garage door to fly open and if you have garage door opener attached it can cause premature failure to the components inside the garage door opener including the electronic parts as well as gears and sprockets inside the unit. If the spring or springs are too weak, the door will be too heavy. A door that is too heavy will cause damage to the garage door, garage door parts and garage door opener because they are under too much stress from carrying more weight than they are designed to carry.
It is recommended that a garage door specialist check your door for proper balance, and make recommendations as to properly balancing your garage door. Garage door specialist have the proper tools and expertise to make any adjustments or repairs to your garage door. Garage door springs are under a great deal of tension or stress and can cause severe damage and even death if proper safety precautions are not followed.
