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Is my garage door balanced? Springs and hardware

Safety first

Use the emergency release only with the door closed, if possible, and use caution if you must use it with the door open. Weak or broken springs may allow the door to fall rapidly, causing injury or death. This is the warning federal rules require in garage door opener instructions. (source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

An improperly balanced door could cause severe injury or death. The same federal instructions say to have a qualified service person make repairs to cables, spring assemblies and other hardware, so do not repair or adjust springs or cables yourself. Call a qualified technician. (source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

The balance check

A properly operating garage door is balanced: it stays in place when stopped in any partly open position. (source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

A severely unbalanced door could crash to the floor and strike someone under it. (source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

  1. Close the door.
  2. Pull the quick release to detach the door from the opener.
  3. Using the door handle, move the door up and down by hand to check that the springs are working.

(source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

If the door is not balanced, or it binds or sticks, CPSC says it should be serviced by a professional. Hardware and fittings should keep the door on track at all times. (source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

On this site: What federal law requires of garage door openers · How to test your garage door opener's reverse · My garage door opens but will not close. Why? · Is my garage door balanced? Springs and hardware · Do garage door companies need a license in Texas? · Do I need a permit to replace a garage door in Texas? · Coastal Texas: wind-rated garage doors and the WPI-8 · How to pick a garage door contractor in Texas · Storm damaged my garage door. What now? · Where to complain about a garage door company in Texas · Cities · FAQ · Sources

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