Garland, Texas
Garage door feels too heavy
A heavy door usually means the springs have weakened or one has broken. Stop lifting it and stop running the opener until someone has looked at it.
Why it matters
The springs carry the door's weight, and the opener only guides it. A healthy door feels light in the hand and stays put when it's halfway open.
As springs wear, more of the load falls on the motor. Keep using the opener and you can end up replacing it along with the spring.
How heavy shows up
| What you see | It often means |
|---|---|
| The opener labors and slows near the top | The springs are carrying less than they should. |
| The door drops when you let go of it halfway | Spring tension has fallen off. |
| The door rubs or squeals on one side | A roller or a track is binding, which makes any door feel heavier. |
| The door pulls to one side | A cable or one spring has weakened ahead of the other. |
What is happening
Usually the springs. Sometimes the cause is smaller: worn rollers, a bent track or a seized hinge.
What is safe to do
- Look at the tracks for dents or dirt.
- Look for a gap in the coil of the spring above the door.
- Note whether the door is heavy all the way up or only part of the way.
What to leave alone
- Don't tighten or loosen anything on the springs or the bar they sit on.
- Don't keep lifting a heavy door by hand to see if it improves.
- Don't run the opener against a door that sags or drags.
Door stuck, or opener dead?
Call this number and tell the independent contractor you reach what the door is doing.