You may be wondering: why weigh garage doors? A common question asked by homeowners who wish to convert from extension springs to torsion springs is: How to weigh garage door?
While this process may sound complicated, it is actually much easier than most homeowners think. There are specific steps to follow in order to properly and safely weigh a garage door. Also, always use a commercial scale when weighing the garage door for the most accurate reading possible.
Step One: Remove the opener arm
Before you do anything else, you should remove the opener arm. This is to prevent a false reading when the outer carriage catches the inner carriage of the drawbar carriage.
Step Two: Unwind the spring
Unwind the garage door springs. This will remove the tension from the tension cables. This can easily be done by backlining the springs. Keep in mind that the cables should have some play on them when unwinding the spring.
Step Three: Place the analog scale under the door
The first step is to place a board on the analog scale and then place the scale in the center, in the front of the garage door. Before placing the analog scale under the door, check to see if both or only one of the springs is broken. In either case, reinstall the cables on the cable drums.
The next step is to try to lift the door in order to slide the scale underneath. You could either use a winding bar to achieve this simply by pulling down on the cone of the broken spring or you could use a large pipe wrench to pull down on the shaft. When the door is lifted, slide the scale underneath the door and slowly lower the door onto the scale to take a reading.
To make sure that the door is free in the track, in the event that either both springs are broken or only one spring is broken, simply shake the door.
For heavier doors, use two scales, positioning the scales under the first row of hinges.
Step four: Take a reading
You want to make sure that the full weight of the garage door is on the scale. In the event that one spring may still be wound, push up on the winding bar or pipe wrench for a quarter turn in order to loosen the cables. This will ensure that the full weight of the door is on the scale. Also, shake the door. This is to ensure that it is free in the tracks.
Once you have taken a reading, you may proceed to lower the winding bar or pipe wrench. This will transfer the spring tension back to the cable drums and cables.
You may want to give the experts at Action Door Service a call at (916) 635-5951 for any questions or assistance in weighing your garage door. Keep in mind that it is very important to always follow safety precautions when attempting to weigh a garage door by yourself.