How To Adjust A Garage Door?

When it comes to garage doors, most homeowners rarely think about them. Unless there is damage or a malfunction, homeowners may just assume they will last forever. However, garage doors are a vital safety feature of the home. They are opened and closed over a thousand times in their lifespan. Relying on a garage door to function properly is necessary to keep you dry during a storm and safe otherwise. Consequently, garage doors do have occasional issues. They need regular maintenance like most working equipment in your home. How to adjust a garage door? Specific tools and a set of instructions are necessary to successfully adjust a garage door.

Let’s take a look below at what those tools and steps are.

What Materials And Equipment Will I Need?

To complete this project you will need specific equipment and materials. Let’s take a look below to see what those are.

• Adjustable wrench
• C-clamp
• Sweeping brush
• Rag
• Damp cloth or old toothbrush
• Hard hat
• Workmans Gloves
• Step Ladder
• Safety glasses

What Are The Steps To Adjust A Garage Door?

Believe it or not, adjusting a garage door can be fairly easy if you follow the steps that are listed. Like all projects following the instructions for completion is key. Let’s take a look below at what the recommended steps are for adjusting a garage door.

1. Put on safety gear – Make sure that you have your work gloves, safety glasses, and hard hat on before starting any repairs.
2. Check the track – First, you will check the garage door track to ensure it is still aligned properly. Also, check to see if it is dirty. If you notice dirt on the track, clean the track by sweeping any debris out and then use a damp cloth to wipe any residue from the track.
3. Check the garage door springs – There are two types of springs on the garage door. Torsion springs and side-mounted extension springs. Any garage door that is over 10 feet wide will have torsion springs at the top of the door. These should be adjusted by a professional, as this is a dangerous and difficult task. Side-mounted extension springs run parallel to the track and are held in place by a pulley and cable system. These too should be adjusted by a professional.
4. Figure out the adjustment – If the door doesn’t shut evenly then the springs on the side of the door should be adjusted. If the door is opening too quickly, closing too hard, or not closing all the way, you need to decrease the spring tension. Lastly, if the door closes too quickly or is tough to open then you will increase the tension in the springs.
5. Hold the door in place – Open the door and then unplug the door from the outlet. Release the cord so that the door is free from the electric door opener. Place a C-clamp under each roller wheel on both sides of the bottom of the door. This will hold the door in place and keep it from rolling down the track.
6. Change the spring tension – This requires removing a big hook. A nut will hold it in place. If there is no tension you can remove the nut with a wrench and move the hook up or down on the track holes. To decrease the tension move the hook one hole down. To increase the tension, move the hook to a hole above. If the door closes evenly, you will need to replace the springs on both sides of the door. Move the hook down one hole if the door closes too fast or hard. Move the hook up one hole if the door closes too quickly or has a hard time opening.
7. Check the adjustment – Unclamp the door and see if it opens and closes as it should. If not, then re-clamp the door and repeat the steps for adjusting the door.
8. Adjust the cable inside the spring – Adjust the clamp or knot. To shorten the cable you will increase the tension. To lengthen the cable you decrease the tension. Remove the camp to see if the door goes up and down correctly.
9. Test out the garage door – Remove the C-clamps or adjustable wrench from the track. Re-attach the safety cord by pulling it so it can catch on the track. Plug the power for the garage door opener back in and push the button. If the door opens and closes properly you are good to go.

Recommended Maintenance

Now that you understand what is necessary to adjust a garage door, you can look at other areas of maintenance. For example, how long do garage door springs last? Knowing how long they last can prepare you for potential garage door failures.

Next, as you conduct maintenance and learn more about the working parts of your garage door, it might be a good idea to know when to replace the garage door. Being able to time the garage door replacement allows you to plan and save money towards this expensive replacement.

Lastly, if you happen to have a garage door with no windows in it, there are various ways to cool the garage. Read up on adding fans, or installing a separate air conditioner to cool down the garage space.

When to Call a Professional?

Garage doors are necessary pieces of equipment that protect your home from outside elements. Keep in mind, a garage door can also be dangerous if it is not functioning properly. Garage doors are large and heavy and can crush most things left beneath them. Also, there are a few items of maintenance necessary to ensure the garage door stays operational. If you aren’t sure what to do, call on a professional garage door installation company and they can come out to conduct door maintenance. Additionally, reach out to your local home inspection team. They can inspect your entire garage and garage door system while conducting a full home inspection. Also, they can recommend a reputable garage door installation company for your maintenance needs.

Conclusion

If you ever experience issues with your garage door you should hire a professional. Additionally, if you aren’t sure what is going on with the garage door, call on your local home inspection team to inspect all of the garage doors working parts. Reach out to, Advantage Inspections to have your garage door inspected during a full home inspection here in West Central, Florida.