How Do I Know If My Garage Door Spring Needs to Be Tightened?

Published on: November 4, 2022
Written by Eric Devin / Fact-checked by David Rowan

If your garage door is making a lot of noise or seems to be working harder than usual, it may be time to check the springs. Garage door springs help the door open and close smoothly, so if they’re not functioning properly, it can make using your garage door a real pain.

Most garage door springs are designed to last for around 10,000 cycles. That’s a lot of opening and closing! But eventually, they will start to loosen and need to be tightened.

There are a few telltale signs that your garage door spring needs to be tightened:

1	The door starts to sag when opened. This is usually the first sign that something is wrong with the springs. If you notice that your door isn’t opening as smoothly as it used to, or that it’s starting to look a little bit crooked, then it’s time to tighten those springs.
2	The door is making loud creaking or grinding noises when opened or closed. This is another sure sign that something is wrong with the springs. If you hear any strange noises coming from your garage door, it’s time for a spring adjustment.
3	You can see that the springs are visibly loose. This one is pretty self-explanatory! If you can see that the springs are sagging or hanging down lower than usual, then they definitely need to be tightened up again.

How to Check Garage Door Spring Tension?

It is important to check the tension on your garage door springs regularly. If they are too loose, the door will be heavy and difficult to open. If they are too tight, the door could fly open suddenly, which could be dangerous.

The best way to check the tension on your springs is with a spring tester. You can purchase one at most hardware stores. To use it, simply hook it onto the bottom of the spring and pull it up on the handle.

The pointer on the gauge will tell you how much tension is in the spring. If you don’t have a spring tester, you can still check the tension by disconnecting your garage door from its opener (if it has one). Then, lift the door about halfway up and let go.

It should stay in place without falling down. If it falls quickly or slowly, that means the springs need to be adjusted.

Commercial Overhead Door Spring Adjustment

If you have a commercial overhead door, it’s important to keep the springs in good working order. Adjusting the tension on the springs is part of regular maintenance. If the door is sagging or not opening and closing smoothly, it’s likely that the springs need to be adjusted.

To adjust the tension on the springs, you’ll need two wrenches – one to hold the spring in place while you loosen or tighten the other wrench on the adjustment bolt. Be sure to wear gloves and eye protection when working with garage door springs, as they are under a lot of tension and can be dangerous if they snap. Loosen the adjustment bolt until there is about an inch of space between it and the spring.

Then, use your other wrench to slowly wind up the spring until there is no more slack. You may have to readjust a few times to get it just right – too much tension and the door will be hard to open; too little and it will sag or fall closed unexpectedly. Once you’ve got it set correctly, tighten down both bolts and test out your door.

What Happens If You Put the Wrong Spring on a Garage Door?

If you put the wrong spring on a garage door, it can cause the door to open or close improperly. This can damage the door and make it difficult to operate. It is important to know which spring is right for your garage door before replacing one.

How Does a Garage Door Spring Work?

A garage door spring is a key component in the operation of your garage door. The springs provide the tension that counterbalances the weight of the door as it opens and closes. There are two types of springs found in garage doors – torsion springs and extension springs.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how each type of spring works to help you better understand how your garage door operates.

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are located above the opening of your garage door. There are typically two or more torsion springs on a garage door, with each one connected to either side of the top section of your door.

As the name suggests, these springs work by twisting when force is applied – in this case, when your opener starts to close the door, tension is placed on the spring which causes it to twist. This twisting action provides resistance against the downward force of gravity, helping to keep your door in place as it opens and closes.

Extension Springs

Extension springs are located along either side of your garage door tracks, stretching from the bottom brackets all the way up to hooks that are attached to the upper part of your garage Door frame.

These springs work by contracting and expanding as force is applied – in this case, contraction occurs as your opener starts closing the door, and pulling on the hooks attached to extension springs. This contracting action provides resistance against the downward force of gravity, helping to keep the door in place as it opens and closes.

How to Stretch Garage Door Spring?

If your garage door isn’t working properly, one of the first things you should check is the tension on the springs. If they’re too loose, the door won’t open or close properly. Too much tension and the door could come crashing down.

The best way to adjust the tension on a spring is to use winding bars.

First	Loosen the set screws that hold the bar in place.
Second	Wind the bar in either direction to add or remove the tension as needed.
Final	Retighten the set screws and test out your door.

Roll Up Door Spring Adjustment

If your roll up door isn’t closing properly, it may be due to the springs. Over time, they can become loose and need to be adjusted. This is a relatively easy process that you can do yourself with a few tools.

Locate the Adjustment Screws

Locate the adjustment screws on the side of the door. There are usually two, one at the top and one at the bottom. Using a screwdriver or drill, loosen or tighten these screws until the door is level when closed.

Check the Tension on the Springs

Check the tension on the springs. They should be tight enough that the door closes smoothly, but not so tight that it’s difficult to open. If they’re too loose, the door will sag; if they’re too tight, the door could come off its tracks.

Test Out Your Newly Adjusted Door

Test out your newly adjusted door! If it’s still not working correctly, contact a professional for further assistance.

How to Loosen Garage Door Spring?

If your garage door is having trouble opening or closing, it may be due to a problem with the springs. The springs are responsible for lifting and lowering the door, so if they’re not working properly, the door won’t either. If you think your garage door springs may be the issue, here’s how to loosen them:

1	Locate the spring on either side of the door. There are usually two springs – one on each side.
2	Once you’ve found them, use a wrench or pliers to loosen the nuts that hold the spring in place.
3	Be careful when doing this – the spring is under a lot of tension and can cause injury if it snaps loose suddenly.
4	Once the nuts are loosened, you can remove the old spring and replace it with a new one. Make sure to put the new spring in place before tightening the nuts back down.

How Often Do Garage Door Springs Need to Be Adjusted?

If you have a garage door, it’s important to know how to adjust the springs. Garage door springs make it possible for the door to open and close smoothly. Over time, they can become stretched out or damaged, which can cause the door to become stuck or not work properly.

The good news is that adjusting garage door springs is relatively simple and only takes a few minutes. You’ll need a few basic tools, including a drill, screwdriver, and adjustable wrench. Once you have those, follow these steps:

1	Locate the adjustment screws on either side of the garage door. These are usually located near the bottom of the door.
2	Using your drill, loosen the set screws until they’re no longer tight against the spring shafts.
3	Now use your adjustable wrench to turn each screw another quarter turn or so in either direction (depending on which way you want to adjust the tension). This will release or add tension to the springs, respectively.
4	Test your door by opening and closing it a few times. If it’s still not working properly, repeat steps 2-4 until it is functioning correctly again.

Should My Garage Door Spring Be Loose?

No, your garage door spring should not be loose. If it is, it needs to be tightened or replaced.

How Do You Check the Tension on a Garage Door?

You Should Check is the Tension

If your garage door isn’t opening and closing smoothly, the first thing you should check is the tension. Loose or damaged hardware can cause the door to become unbalanced, which puts extra strain on the opener and can lead to premature failure. To check the tension on your garage door, start by disconnecting the opener from the power source.

Then, open the door about halfway and hold it in place with a C-clamp or vice grip.

Locate the Adjustment Screws

Locate the adjustment screws on either side of the door near the bottom brackets. These are typically located about 6 inches from the floor.

Once you’ve found them, loosen each screw a few turns until there is some give in the cable. You may need to experiment a bit to find just the right amount of slack – too much and your door will be unsecure, too little and it won’t operate properly. When you’ve got it adjusted correctly, tighten down both screws and reconnect your opener before testing out your handiwork!

What Happens If You Over Tighten a Garage Door Spring?

If you over tighten a garage door spring, it can cause the door to become unbalanced. This can make it difficult to open and close the door, and can also cause the door to come off its tracks.

Conclusion

If you have a garage door with springs, it’s important to know how to tell if the spring needs to be tightened. There are a few signs that your garage door spring may need to be tightened, including

1. The door feeling heavier than usual when you lift it.

2. The door doesn’t stay open when you let go of the opener button.

3. The door seems unbalanced, and one side is higher or lower than the other. If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to tighten your garage door spring.