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The Garage Door Balance Test
The balance test is the most informative check available on a garage door and takes under a minute. It is the basis of nearly every correct diagnosis in this trade.
Performing the test
The door is fully closed and the opener disconnected using the emergency release. The door is then lifted by hand to approximately waist height and released.
Reading the result
- Holds position within a few inches: correctly balanced
- Drifts or falls: insufficient spring tension, from spring fatigue or an undersized spring
- Rises: excess spring tension, usually from over winding or an oversized spring
- Will not lift, or binds partway: broken spring or a mechanical obstruction
- Lifts unevenly or sits crooked: cable or drum problem on one side
Why balance governs component life
The springs are intended to carry essentially the entire weight of the door. When they do, the opener performs a guiding function requiring very little effort, and the rollers, hinges and track carry only alignment loads.
When balance is lost, that weight transfers. The opener carries load it was never designed for, which shortens gear and motor life. Cables run under higher tension. Rollers and hinges take stress at angles they were not designed for. Most premature garage door failures trace back to a door that operated out of balance for an extended period.
How often to test
Twice yearly is reasonable for most households, and after any event that might have affected the door such as vehicle contact. In coastal conditions where corrosion progresses faster, more frequent testing is justified because it detects spring fatigue before failure.
What the test cannot tell you
Balance testing does not assess remaining spring life directly. A spring can pass a balance test and be close to the end of its cycle rating. Visual inspection for coil gaps, rust scoring and pitting complements the balance test rather than being replaced by it.
Safety
If the door will not lift, the test stops there. A door with a failed counterbalance carries its full weight, which on a double door is substantial. Repeated attempts to force it risk injury and further damage.