How Do I Check if My Garage Door Is Balanced?
An unbalanced door destroys openers and is a safety hazard. The test takes one minute and requires no tools.
The Test
1) Close the door fully. 2) Pull the red emergency release cord straight down to disconnect the door from the opener. 3) Lift the door manually to about waist height. 4) Let go.
Reading the Result
If the door stays put: perfectly balanced. If it slowly rises: springs slightly over-tensioned. If it slowly falls: springs slightly under-tensioned. If it slams down: springs are dangerously weak — don't use the opener until a pro adjusts them.
Reconnecting
Pull the emergency cord toward the door (away from the opener) and run the opener once — it will re-engage automatically.
Run this test twice a year. It's the single best predictor of spring failure.
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