Torsion Springs

Garage doors may look simple, but they are in a delicate state of balance at all times. When that balance is disrupted, whether it’s a broken spring or the wrong spring, your garage door will not operate properly, if at all. Operating a door with a broken spring is dangerous and can damage your opener. Even if your opener is capable of lifting a door with a broken spring, you should not continue to open the door once you notice a broken spring. Torsion springs are dangerous and should only be replaced by professionals.

Torsion springs provide a counter balance for your garage door making it possible for your opener to lift the door.  A properly balanced garage door should be able to be opened with minimal effort and hold itself in the upright position without any support. A garage door that is excessively heavy to lift and/or doesn’t stay open is out of balance and should be inspected for broken or inadequate springs. 

On the other end of the spectrum, a door that is difficult to close, one that you have to push down and wants to fly open once you let go, is out of balance and can be equally dangerous and damaging to your garage door opener. This is caused by someone using a spring that is too “hot” (a spring that provides more lifting force than your door requires).  As a homeowner you should always check the work of any garage door technician from any company after they replace your springs. 

How do I check my door’s balance?

Checking your doors balance is easy. Start with your door in the closed position.

Pull on your openers manual/emergency release cord (should be a red cord dangling from the openers trolley guide). Stand clear of the door as an out of balance door may fly open.

Once the door is disconnected from the opener, check to make sure it stays closed. A door that floats up an inch or 2 off the ground after new springs are installed is not an issue.  Only be concerned if it flies open or hovers much more than a few inches.

Next, lift the door by hand. It should require minimal effort to open the door.  At no point should the door accelerate open, or get really heavy to lift.

Once the door is in the open position it should stay open without assistance. If the door starts to fall back down once you let go of it, it is out of balance

Finally, lower the door back into the closed position. Again this should take minimal effort. At no point should you have to force the door down.

Reconnect your door to the opener and cycle the door a couple times to make sure everything works properly.

Its not just springs!

Your garage door can be difficult to open or close for multiple reasons: seized rollers, end bearing plates, etc. You could have the exact right springs and perfect balance, yet your door can be difficult to open or close. This is why it’s important to have a trusted, qualified professional work on your garage door!