Re-tensioning a garage door is an essential maintenance task that ensures your door stays balanced and operates smoothly. Over time, the tension on your garage door springs can become too loose or too tight, causing the door to become unbalanced, noisy, or even damaged.

Here is a step-by-step guide from Azle Garage Door on how to retension a garage door:

  1. Check the condition of your springs: Before retensioning your garage door, it’s important to inspect the condition of your springs. If your springs are rusted, damaged, or worn, it’s recommended that you replace them rather than attempt to retension them. Additionally, if your garage door is equipped with extension springs, it’s important to ensure that the safety cables are properly installed and in good condition.
  2. Disconnect the garage door opener: To avoid any accidental activation of the garage door opener, it’s important to disconnect it from the power source. This can be done by unplugging it from the outlet or turning off the breaker that powers the opener.
  3. Open the garage door: Once the garage door opener is disconnected, manually open the garage door all the way to the top. Use a clamp or locking pliers to hold the door in place.
  4. Identify the type of springs: Garage doors are typically equipped with either extension springs or torsion springs. Extension springs are located on either side of the door and are connected to cables that run through pulleys at the bottom corners of the door. Torsion springs are mounted above the door and are connected to a metal shaft that runs the width of the door.
  5. Measure the tension: To measure the tension on your garage door springs, use a spring tension gauge. Place the gauge on the spring and read the measurement. If the tension is too loose or too tight, you will need to adjust it.
  6. Adjust the tension: To adjust the tension on extension springs, move the spring hook to the next hole on the bracket if you need to increase the tension or to the previous hole if you need to decrease the tension. To adjust the tension on torsion springs, use a winding bar to turn the spring clockwise to increase the tension or counterclockwise to decrease the tension. It’s important to make small adjustments and check the tension with the spring tension gauge after each adjustment.
  7. Test the tension: Once you’ve made the necessary adjustments, carefully remove the locking pliers or clamp and test the door. The door should open and close smoothly and remain in place when it’s partially opened.
  8. Reconnect the garage door opener: After you’ve tested the tension, reconnect the garage door opener to the power source and test it to ensure it’s working properly.

In conclusion, as per Azle Garage Door, re-tensioning your garage door springs can be a dangerous task, and it’s important to take the necessary safety precautions. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and use caution when working with garage door springs. If you’re not comfortable performing this task yourself, it’s recommended that you hire a professional garage door technician.

Garage Door Experts of Azle

328 W Main St., Azle, TX 76020

817-646-8862