A balanced garage door is essential to a well-functioning home. Running an unbalanced garage door can create a variety of issues and safety concerns. Is it time for you to balance your garage door? In this blog, we’ll be discussing four important questions to ask when checking the balance of your garage door.
Why is a Balanced Garage Door Important?
When a garage door is balanced, both sides of the door operate simultaneously. If one side of the door isn’t working correctly, it may move faster or slower than the other side. Depending on the severity, you may not be able to see that the door is imbalanced right away. Your garage door will most likely make abnormal noises before you notice a difference in the positioning of the door.
What Happens if the Garage Door Is Unbalanced?
If you run an unbalanced door for a long period of time, it can result in some unfavorable outcomes. Most of the heat in your home can escape through the garage. If your door is unbalanced, it can leave a gap between the door and the floor, a place where heat can escape. Over time, this may cause an unpleasant increase in your energy bill.
An unbalanced door can also be a serious safety concern. If the door is unbalanced, one spring may take on more stress or work than the other side. If a spring fails, the garage door could drop, landing on your vehicle or, even worse, someone standing under the door. An unbalanced garage door can cause damage to other parts of the door, which may require you to replace the entire system down the road.
How Many Springs Does My Garage Door Have?
Your garage door should have one spring on each side, or two in total. To maintain the balance of the door, the springs should always be replaced at the same time. The garage door springs work together best when they are the same age. If you only replace one at a time, you will most likely be setting yourself up for more problems with your garage door in the future.
When Should I Replace the Springs on my Garage Door?
There isn’t a tried and true way to know when the springs need replaced. A garage door spring normally lasts 10,000 cycles of opening and closing, or about 7-9 years. If you notice your door making strange noises, the springs look worn, or if the door isn’t opening and closing correctly, it might be time to do something. While some garage door projects are an easy fix, other projects require the skills and experience of a qualified technician.
Contact CS Doors for Garage Door Balancing and Repairs
At Central State Door Service, we know that the garage door is important to the overall functioning of your home. A faulty garage door is a safety concern and a big expense waiting to happen. The experts as CS Doors have the experience and resources needed to make sure your garage door is operating at its best. We have been serving central Pennsylvania for over 60 years and are here to help. Contact us today to request service.
