A garage door that is not level can be a real headache. It can make it difficult to open and close the door, and it can also lead to premature wear and tear on the door itself. In this blog post, we will show you how to check for level on your garage door in just a few easy steps!
1. Check with a level
Put a level on top of the door when it is in the closed position. Make sure to check the level at several different points along the length of the door. If you find that it is not level, an adjustment may be needed.
2. Measure the garage door tracks
Next, if the door is not level then move to the sides and measure each side from a stationary point on the door to the seem in tracks where the verticle and horizontal meet. (I typically go from the roller carrier on the #3 hinge for a standard 7′ tall door.) If they are not the same on each side then the lower side will need to be moved up to match the higher side to allow the door to sit level.
3. Check the verticle tracks
After that, once you have the track height leveled check the verticle tracks that they are level side to side. The rollers should have a little play side to side, but not so tight that they can not move freely and bind up while operating the door.
4. Level the backtracks
Lastly, check the garage door backtracks. The backtracks or horizontal tracks should be level as well. If not you can move them up or down at the back hang if needed. An adjustment at the track seem may be needed depending on how far the tracks need to move.
Once all these steps have been completed, you can test how the door is operating by opening and closing it. It should move smoothly without any binding or jerking. If so, then your garage door is now level.
DISCLAIMER: Garage doors use high-tension springs as a counterbalance to the weight of the door. These springs are very dangerous and can cause serious injury or death if not handled properly. Use this guide to see if your door is out of level. We recommend calling a garage door professional to adjust the garage door if needed.
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