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How to tell if a garage door is out of balance
CPSC says a properly working garage door is balanced: it stays in place when stopped partly open. A badly unbalanced door could crash to the floor. (source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
CPSC's manual check
Stop first: if a spring looks broken, or the door feels heavy or drops, stop here and do not try these steps. Read what to do about a broken spring.
- Make sure the door is closed.
- Pull the quick release to detach the door from the opener.
- Using the door handle, move the door up and down by hand to check that the springs are working.
(source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
If the door is not balanced, or it binds or sticks, CPSC says it should be serviced by a professional. The federal standard also says to install an opener only on a properly balanced door. (source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
On this site: Why won't my garage door close? · What to do if a garage door spring breaks · How to test your garage door's safety reverse · How to tell if a garage door is out of balance · Is my old garage door opener safe? · Utah rules for garage door work: licensing and exemptions · How to check a Utah garage door contractor's license · Before you hire a garage door company in Utah · Garage door repair cost in Utah · FAQ · Sources
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Publication 523: Non-Reversing Automatic Garage Door Openers Are a Hazard (PDF) (checked October 29, 2026)
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