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Why You Should Not Leave Your Garage Door Uneven

Is your garage door uneven or sagging more towards one side? Chances are it’s off-balance. When you have a ton of other tasks on your to-do list, you might be tempted to ignore the problem if your garage door still opens and closes just fine. 

It’s important to repair an uneven garage door sooner rather than later. Uneven garage doors continue to wear down until they are completely out of commission. As Round Rock’s trusted garage door repair services, we have seen this scenario play out numerous times before.

The truth is, garage doors can last for decades. A high-quality garage door can last up to thirty years with proper care and routine maintenance. Being on the lookout for performance issues like an off-balanced garage door is key to extending the life of your garage door.   Keep reading or reach out to us by phone today to learn more.

How Can You Tell if Your Garage Door Is Uneven?

When the tensions in the spring system adequately support a properly balanced garage door, the door easily slides up and down the track when opened and closed.

An unbalanced garage door won’t operate as smoothly. When the garage door is uneven, the springs either provide too much or not enough tension, preventing the devices from sufficiently counterbalancing the door’s weight.

Here are a few clear signs that indicate that your garage door is uneven or imbalanced:

  •     The garage door slants or sags towards one side when open
  •     The garage door makes unusual noises when opening or closing
  •     It takes longer than usual to open or close the door
  •     The door won’t move at all or is too heavy to move

 

Consider Performing a Balance Test

If you’re still unsure if your garage door is uneven or off-balance, you should consider performing a balance test. The test takes only a few minutes to complete.

Take a look at the following steps:

  1. Begin by closing the garage door from inside.
  2. Disconnect the opener from the door. You can do this by pulling down the manual release rope on a standard belt or chain drive opener. If your garage door opener has a T-shaped rail, you’ll have to pull the manual release rope down and toward the motor piece.
  3. Test the garage door by manually opening and closing it. If the door is balanced correctly, it will move freely. However, if the door is too heavy to move, this indicates a problem. The door may be out of balance.
  4. Lift the door until it’s halfway open. If it stays in place, the springs support its weight which means that it’s even. If the door falls shut forcefully, the garage door is out of balance.

It’s understandable to feel intimidated by manually testing your garage door’s balance. For this reason, we recommend always choosing a professional inspection over any DIY fix.

Why Is Your Garage Door Uneven?

Unbalanced garage doors that sag or are uneven is a common problem that typically affects older garage setups. There are several reasons why a garage door moves out of alignment, including:

The Extension Springs Are Worn

The garage door springs are bound to get weaker as they age. When they wear, gaps between the coils will appear. As a result, the extension springs will lose their power.  In some instances, adjusting the springs can restore some pulling power. Installing new springs on both sides of the door is best.

Torsion Springs Have Slipped

The torsion springs offset some of the garage door’s weight, making it easier to lift and lower the door. A winding and mounting cone holds the torsion springs in place. When the winding cone loosens, the torsion springs slip, significantly affecting the garage door’s balance.

Broken Torsion Springs

Perhaps one of the torsion springs in your garage door is broken. If this is the case, the garage door opener is likely pulling up half of the door’s weight, which is why the door appears to be uneven.

Improper Insulation

Often, homeowners insulate their garage doors with DIY kits. The insulation can add fifteen to twenty pounds to your garage door. The extra weight will throw your door off balance and affect its operation.

What Happens If the Garage Door Is Uneven?

When the garage door is unbalanced and uneven, it puts enormous stress on the garage door opener. The automatic opener is one of the most critical garage door components because it allows you to open and close the door with just a push of a button.

Over the last few years, we’ve come to rely on automatic door openers strongly. Garage doors are hefty and require a lot of power to operate. Garage door openers are a lifesaver because they help manage a significant portion of the door’s weight.

An uneven or imbalanced garage door will also prematurely strip the sprockets, drive gears, and the couplets on the opener, causing it to wear faster than usual.

Finally, another possible consequence of an uneven garage door is that the spring or cable can snap at any moment. A worn garage door opener, cables, or springs can take your garage door out of service until a professional can fix it.

Get Professional Help Today

Since an uneven garage door usually points to a problem with the springs, you shouldn’t tackle the problem independently. Avoid the hazard of failing garage door springs by trusting professionals to get the job done.  

If you suspect that your garage door is out of balance, getting the professional repairs you need doesn’t have to be a hassle. The experts here at Gator Garage Door Repair are here to help! Our technicians will perform a thorough inspection of your garage door, the spring system to ensure track support, and the automatic opener. Explore our website to read more about garage door issues, or call us at 512-518-5544 to get started with a consultation or emergency services today.