Tensioning Loose Springs Stopped Our Garage Door From Jamming

For several months, our garage door had been jamming partway up or down pretty frequently. It was so annoying when it would happen because then I’d have to get out and muscle it the rest of the way. I knew the springs must be the issue but was wary of tackling them myself since they’re under serious tension. Thankfully, a closer inspection revealed a simple fix I could safely do without removing the springs.

Pinpointing the Problem

The first sign that the springs were the culprit was hearing them squeaking loudly when the door was in motion. After lifting it manually a few times when it jammed, I noticed the springs weren’t as taut as they should be. Some investigating online said loose springs can lead to uneven or inconsistent lifting that causes intermittent jamming. But how could I tighten them without replacing the springs entirely?

Inspecting the Adjustment Points

That’s when I spotted the small slots in the spring cones where the springs hook in. They’re used to adjust spring tension during installations. Sure enough, the springs had slipped out of their proper positions within these slots, reducing tension. All I needed to do was push them back up into the tighter positions with a flathead screwdriver – no spring removal required.

Spring Tensioning is a Success

I carefully nudged each spring up one slot at a time, testing the door’s motion after each adjustment. It became noticeably easier to lift manually as tension increased. When fully ratcheted up, the springs were very taunt again and the door moved smoothly up and down with no squeaking or sticking. Since then, it’s been jamming-free. While I avoided possible injury, I’d still recommend calling a Garage Door Spring Repair expert in Norfolk for replacement springs if extremely worn.

Saved from a Costly Repair Bill

We were very happy to have solved the annoying garage door problem ourselves with such an easy fix. Since the springs were thankfully just slightly loose rather than at end-of-life, readjusting the tension points did the trick. This avoided a costly service call and potential full spring set replacement. If your garage door is acting up, always check for simple adjustments before assuming major repairs are needed. Just be cautious working on springs and call a pro if unsure.

So in summary, if your garage door is suddenly acting jammy, carefully inspect the spring tension before calling a technician. Loose springs are often safely adjusted rather than replaced. We’re glad we took the time to properly diagnose and tighten ours instead of spending money unnecessarily. A few minutes saved us from ongoing frustration and further repair bills down the road.