How You Can Level Your Garage Door

Having issues with an uneven garage door? Learn how to make it better with these easy steps.

Does this look nice? It’s a Standard+ Classic XL, 9' x 7', American Walnut, Clear windows.

Your garage door is the center for many homes. If this particular part is not even or level, it may look like your entire home is a bit off. Double-check if there is a gap between the door and floor to see if the garage door may need to be adjusted.

Even if the gap is small, there are still so many things that might go wrong. It’s very easy for water and other dirt to enter the garage through that gap. On top of that, rodents can easily slip through and build nests inside your home.

Why is my garage door unlevel?

This is a Standard+ Vog, 9' x 7', Black, window layout: Left-side Harmony.

It’s important to figure out why exactly your garage door is not level so that you can prevent the issues from happening again in the future. If there is any kind of gap, big or small, it’s best to replace the door either way.

What are some common reasons why the door might not be level?

Garage doors have many types of springs. Some are found overhead, and some are found on the sides of the door. Some of these springs are referred to as the torsion springs and ensure that the door is able to open and close properly.

The springs allow for the doors to wind and unwind. If a spring has become damaged in any way, it is likely that the garage door may still work but will run much slower than usual.

It’s important that the garage door track be completely level or else other issues might arise within the entire garage system.

A certain type of spring called an extension spring has certain weight capacities. If the weight is even slightly off, the door may become uneven. If this aspect of the door is not fixed, the extension springs can even cause the door to stop working completely.

Ignoring the issue might cause the problems to get worse, and you’ll likely be left with fewer options than before. Replacing the garage door will work, but that can take time and lots of money.

Balancing a Crooked Door

This is a Princeton P-21, 18’ x 7', Chocolate Walnut door with Ice White overlays, 4 vertical lite Panoramic windows.

You might think it will be too complicated to adjust your garage door, but it usually isn’t too bad. Since we know that the cause of the issue is most likely the extension springs, we can start there and try to adjust.

Asking a professional to help with the issue is always an option since it will require some tools and time to complete.

It’s important to check the balance of the door first. You’ll need to figure out exactly which side of the door is causing the issue so that you can make the correct adjustments.

Start off with disconnecting the door itself from the opener. This will allow you to see how the door hangs when it’s left on its own.

Make sure to open and close the door multiple times and see how it runs on the track. If the door runs unevenly on the track, be sure to take care of that first before disconnecting it.

If the track itself is okay, the next thing to see is if the door stays in place or moves up or down if stopped abruptly in the middle of opening.

A lot of movement might indicate that the door is unbalanced. If the door falls downward, it’s possible that the springs have lots of major tension. This trick can also work for overbalanced doors. It’s all dependent on the springs and the tension.

How to Fix a Garage Door that’s Misaligned

Be sure to keep good care of your garage door. Image: Pixabay

After running the tests, try to fix the door.

● Don’t forget to turn off the power

It’s best to make sure the power to the garage door is completely shut down. This can cause other issues if not properly taken care of before a repair.

● Check out the cables

The cables might need to be adjusted before moving on. If they are visually worn down or have rust build-up, they should be replaced.

● Call a professional

If the adjustments seem like more of a problem, be sure to call a professional so that the job is done correctly.

Seal Your Garage Door

Start taking care of your garage door now! Image: Pixabay

A tight seal is good in that it keeps out dirt, water, and other things such as small animals. Many believe an uneven seal is a weatherstripping problem, but that’s not entirely the case.

If the door is level but there is a small amount of light coming from the bottom, the issue is mostly likely weatherstripping.

If the weatherstripping is no longer working properly, it should be replaced as soon as possible. This is easy to install and comes in a roll that can be cut to size. Install the part with nails or screws as needed.

The best trick to installing the new weatherstripping is to make sure the door side of it is pressed to the door tightly.

Be sure to clean and maintain all the parts in your garage door to prevent any issues from happening in the future.

Steps to Take If the Garage Door Cannot Be Leveled

Check out this garage door. It is a Cambridge CM, 8’ x 7’, Ice White door and overlays, 4 lites Panoramic windows.

If none of that works, your only option might be to replace the door entirely. Don’t worry! There is definitely something that will work for the look of your home and might even brighten up your aesthetic and space.

Upgrading your garage door definitely has its perks. There are tons of options to choose from that can fit perfectly with your style and look.

If you’ve chosen to install a new garage door, professionals can help make sure everything works properly. Sometimes this is the best option, and many find it changes the whole look of their home.

Is It Time for a New Garage Door?

Contact a professional garage door dealer in your area. The experts there will help you select a garage door that meets your needs.

Huneault Portes de Garage Doors Inc. simplifies the process by offering a quick email quotation.

Don’t know what your style is? Check out our 3 styles to ensure you get the garage door of your dreams.

Reach out to us at 613-675-4473, we’re happy to help our customers with any questions you might have about the different styles of garage doors or the installation process.

Are you an app lover?

Our Design Centre works just like an app! First, upload a photo of your home so that you can try out different garage door styles to see which one fits perfectly before making any decisions.

Not sure which garage door is right for you?

Many gorgeous residential garage doors are waiting for you here, check out these to see what others are doing with their garage doors and homes! Get some ideas by looking at them.