No one wants to have an uneven garage door. It looks terrible and is a hassle. It’s also a sign that there’s a problem with the door. Learn how to get your garage door in shape.
Do you like these garage doors? This is a Standard+ Classic XL, 9' x 7', American Walnut, Clear windows.
The garage door is easily one of the most important doors in your home. It’s also the door that takes up a lot of space and is what most people see when they come to your property. Naturally, you want to make sure it looks good. If it is not level, it’s not a good look.
Even worse, when you have a space beneath the door, it can allow just about anything to get into the garage. This includes dirt and mud, water, rodents, snakes, and who knows what else. It also decreases the security of your garage.
Why Isn’t the Garage Door Level?
Do you love this garage door? The Standard+ Vog, 9' x 7', Black, window layout: Left-side Harmony.
Why does your garage door look askew when you close it? You have a leveling problem. Of course, before you level the door, you need to know what caused the problem. This will help to prevent the problem from reoccurring, or at least let you see the signs earlier.
What Causes an Unlevel Garage Door?
The problem is often due to the torsion springs. These are overhead springs, which are common in many garages today. Other garages might have springs on the side of the door. The springs are wound metal that lets your garage door open and close. If there’s a problem with the springs, there will be a problem with the door.
If there is damage to a spring, you might find that the door still opens. However, it might do so slowly, and the problem is likely to get worse.
You need to make it a point to get the garage door track level. If you don’t there could be other issues that occur with your garage door. It could even become dangerous.
Each extension spring on the garage door will have a weight limit that it can carry and move. When the door is uneven, it could cause that capacity to be exceeded, which may result in a door that’s not level. If this issue is not corrected, it could mean that there will be some major issues with the door soon. It may no longer open or close.
There are not problems you can ignore. If you are not taking good care of your garage door, and you don’t get the problems corrected, they will worsen. The worse it gets the more difficult the repair will be, and it might result in you needing a new garage door.
Balancing an Unlevel Garage Door
This is a nice look. This Princeton P-21, 18’ x 7', Chocolate Walnut door with Ice White overlays, 4 vertical lite Panoramic windows.
What can you do to adjust your garage door? You can do it on your own in some cases, or you might find that it’s a better solution to work with a professional.
You will start simply enough. You have to check the balance of the door. You can only make adjustments if you know the direction in which the door is unbalanced.
Disconnect the garage door and opener and see how the door sits. Now, you will open and close the door a few times and watch it. What happens? Is it moving correctly in the track? Is there an issue along the track that causes the problem? Is there anything preventing it from moving?
You should then lower it halfway and see what happens. Does it stay in place or does it come to the floor? If you notice a lot of movement, the door is not balanced right. If the springs don’t have enough tension, it means that the door is going to fall.
Tips for Fixing a Misaligned Garage Door
Always maintain your garage door if you want it to work properly. Image: Pixabay
So, you’ve tested the door. Now, repair it.
● Keep the Power Off
You don’t want to get a shock when you are repairing the garage door. Therefore, you have to turn off the power at the fuse box.
● How Do the Cables Look?
Are the cables worn out or rusted? If they’ve seen better days, you should make sure that you have them replaced. You don’t want a cable snapping when your garage door is in use.
● Work with the Professionals
Sometimes, you need to do more than make small adjustments to your garage door if you want it to be level and safe. This means that you might want to work with a professional. They can get things done faster and they always have safety in mind.
Keep Your Weatherstripping in Order
Start taking good care of your garage doors now! Image: Pixabay
Although the weatherstripping is not the reason that your garage door is uneven, you might find that it could still be a problem. If you have a gap under your door, and the door is level, you might need to have some new weatherstripping added.
Good weatherstripping keeps out the muck, debris, and all manner of small animals. In cases where the weatherstripping is damaged or missing, you can reinstall it on your own. All you need is a utility knife to cut it, along with some galvanized screws or nails to keep it in place.
You should be sure to clean and maintain your garage door regularly if you want it to be in good shape. This includes all of the moving parts of the door.
When Leveling Is Not an Option?
How do you like these doors? This garage door is a Cambridge CM, 8’ x 7’, Ice White door and overlays, 4 lites Panoramic windows.
Sometimes, the garage door is in bad shape, and leveling it will not help. In those cases, you should start looking at getting a new garage door. While this might not be your ideal solution, it could be the right one. You can find a range of options available for a new garage door. There are options that can work for any aesthetic style.
It’s a good idea to let the professionals handle your garage door installation. They can do it quickly and correctly.
Getting Your New Garage Door
Contact a professional garage door to start. The pros can help you find a door that works for your style and your budget.
At Cliff's Overhead Doors, things are even easier since you can get a fast quotation by email if you would like.
If you aren’t positive what style garage door will best match your home, you can check out these 3 styles.
Contact us over the phone at 519-631-1507. We’re ready to answer your questions and to help get your garage door installed.
Check Out the Design Centre
The Design Centre will make it easy for you to see what different garage doors would look like on your home. It’s a great way to narrow down your choices and to find a door that you will love, and that works with your aesthetic style.
Need More Help Deciding?
Many gorgeous residential garage doors are waiting for you here. This gallery has plenty of wonderful options from which you can choose. You are sure to find a door that’s right for you.
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