DIY guideGarage door

Test the garage door's balance and manual release

With the door closed, pull the release, lift it by hand and let go halfway: a balanced door stays put. Then hook the opener back up.

7 steps

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Close the door all the way, and move cars, bikes and people well clear.
Pull the red cord on the opener's track straight down. The door is now free of the opener.
Only with the door closed. Pulled with the door open, it can drop.
Lift the door by its handle. It should move smoothly, without much effort.
Lift it to about waist height and let go slowly. It should stay put.
Keep your hands, feet and everyone else out from under it.
It drifts down or springs up: it's out of balance, and the opener is working too hard.
Close it by hand, then pull the cord toward the opener or press the button: it clicks back on as it runs.
It falls, flies up, is hard to lift, or a spring or cable looks broken: ask Handyman for a garage door pro. Never adjust the springs or cables.

Handyman says: Falls or flies up? I'll find a door pro.

Free for every home. Handyman asks a few questions, then books a pro it trusts.