Due to safety reasons, it is vital that the garage door is balanced and works seamlessly. But what does 'balanced' mean, and how is it an important parameter to gauge the garage door's efficiency? Let us discuss the key points that indicate when the garage door is out of balance.
Before delving into the reasons behind a garage door that is out of balance, let's discuss which part of the garage door keeps the door in balance. A perfectly balanced door will operate without any hassles. A homeowner can lower and raise it with minimal effort, and it does not make any sound while running. Several parts work in perfect tandem to make the garage door function smoothly. One of the critical components is the torsion springs. The prime responsibility of lowering and raising the door lies on the springs. Whether it's an automatic garage door or a manually-operated one, the springs need to be in perfect condition to efficiently operate the door.
A homeowner needs to be able to spot an imbalance in the earlier stages. Here are some of the tip-offs a garage needs service:
If the door rises and lowers in average time, then the springs are working fine. But if the door comes down faster or suddenly falls, the spring tension is too weak to hold the door in place. It is a dangerous situation and can cause accidents.
If the door is out of balance, the door may be feeling quite heavy while operating, and you will feel a strong force controlling the door.
If the door is not balanced, then it may not reverse.
If the garage door is not working smoothly and is out of balance, it causes exertion on other garage door parts such as the garage door opener. It will take the extra load as it has to work harder to operate the door seamlessly. Over time, this strain and additional pressure on the opener will damage the door, and it might stop being functional at all.
To know if the garage door is out of balance, conduct the balance test. Follow the instructions below.
Close the garage door.
Disconnect the automatic garage door opener.
Lift the door manually up to a height of 3-4 ft. A perfectly balanced door should ideally move comfortably with one hand.
Now gradually loosen the grip on the door. If the door remains in place, then there is no issue with the balance, and you can reattach the door opener.
If the door slightly moves upwards or downwards after loosening the grip and then comes to rest, it's working fine. But if it suddenly comes down crashing or rises with force, it needs to be fixed immediately.
Contact a garage door specialist to resolve the issue. Do not put your family's life at stake with a faulty garage door and hire a reliable garage door company to fix the problem immediately.
Loves Garage Doors specializes in residential garage door and garage door opener repair, installation, and maintenance in Phoenix and surrounding cities. Call (602)346-9516 today!
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