An up-and-over garage door relies on a finely tuned spring system to make it easy to lift and lower. Over time, these springs can lose their tension, causing the door to feel heavy, uneven, or difficult to operate. Knowing how to adjust the tension on a garage door is an essential maintenance skill that can restore your door’s balance and smooth operation.

This guide will provide a step-by-step process for safely and effectively adjusting the tension on your up-and-over garage door.

Part 1: The Safety Check – Why Proper Tension Matters

Before you begin, it’s crucial to understand why proper tension is so important. A properly balanced door should be easy to lift and should stay open on its own at any point in its travel.

1. Test the Balance: Unplug your garage door opener from the wall. Manually open the door and let go. A perfectly balanced door will stay in place. If it falls, the tension is too low. If it springs open, the tension is too high.
2. Inspect the Springs: An up-and-over door typically has springs located on either side of the horizontal tracks. Visually inspect them for any signs of rust, damage, or wear. If a spring is broken, do not attempt to adjust it. A broken spring is a dangerous situation that requires professional replacement.

Part 2: The Step-by-Step Adjustment Process

Once you have completed your safety checks, you can begin the adjustment process. This is the definitive guide on how to adjust up and over garage door tension.

1. Locate the Spring Anchor Point: The springs are attached to a bracket or anchor point on the horizontal track. This bracket will have a series of holes. The spring’s tension is adjusted by moving the end of the spring to a different hole.
2. Raise the Door and Secure It: Open the garage door completely and use a clamp or vice grip to secure it to the track. This is to prevent the door from moving unexpectedly while you are working.
3. Adjust the Tension: To increase the tension, you will need to unhook the spring from its current position and re-hook it into a hole that is further down the track. This will stretch the spring more, thus increasing the tension. To decrease the tension, you will move the spring to a hole that is closer to the door.
4. Work on Both Sides: It is critical that you adjust both springs evenly to ensure the door remains balanced. Adjust one side by one hole and then do the same on the other side. Do not adjust one side more than the other, as this can cause the door to become lopsided. This is the key to how to adjust garage door tension.
5. Test the Door: Carefully remove the clamp and test the door’s balance. Lift it to the halfway point again. If it holds, the tension is correct. If it doesn’t, you may need to repeat the process, making small adjustments at a time. This is how you adjust tension on garage door for smooth operation.

Part 3: Final Tips and Professional Advice

Learning how to adjust the tension on a garage door is a skill that can keep your door running smoothly for years. Here are a few final tips:

• Small Adjustments: Always make small adjustments, one hole at a time. It’s easier to add tension than to remove it.
• Lubrication: While you are adjusting the tension, it is a good time to lubricate the springs, rollers, and hinges. This will help prevent rust and friction, which can cause the springs to lose tension faster.
• When to Call a Pro: If you have a broken spring, the door is severely unbalanced, or you are simply not comfortable with the process, do not hesitate to call a professional garage door technician. The springs are under a lot of pressure, and a mistake can lead to a serious injury.

By following this guide, you can confidently address a common garage door issue and ensure your door continues to operate safely and efficiently.