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Hey, What's That Spring Up There For?

By
Home Inspector with B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com)

Hey, What's That Spring Up There For?

Richmond Kentucky Home Inspector, garage door spring

During today's Richmond Kentucky Home Inspection, as I started to test the garage door, my client asked, "Hey, What's that spring up there for?

He was asking about the large coiled spring over the garage door.

The one that DIDN'T balance the door in the half open positon when I disconnected it from the opener.

It's there as a counterbalance spring.  It's meant to help the opener lift the door AND to help you lift the door if there is no opener or there's a power outage.

When it's properly adjusted, the door should balance in the half open position when it's disconnected from the opener. 

If the spring is NOT properly adjusted your opener may be working harder than it should or you'll have a heck of time opening the door when the power goes out.

Ever had your car trapped in the garage by a power outage. You're supposed to be able to pull the rope on the opener connection and lift the door manually.

I don't enocourage home owners to adjust this spring themselves.  There's enough force in the spring to kick my butt to the other end of the garage AND it hurts.  (Don't ask how I know!)

If your overhead garage door won't balance in the half open position when disconnected from the opener, it's time you had a garage door guy adjust it so it will.  Extend the life of your garage door opener!

Be careful if you decide to test this!  Make sure nothing is under the door and be ready for it to come slamming down like the one today did.

To reconnect the door, just make sure the catch went back into place on the disconnect and push the opener button.  When the disconnect passes the saddle on the door connector, the two parts will reconnect.

 

 

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Posted by

=====================================================

 

Erby Crofutt
KY Lic# HI-2041
B4 U Close Home Inspections & Radon Testing
Georgetown, KY
www.b4uclose.com
502-570-4054
859-797-3873
877-513-8235

 

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Here's what a couple of B4 U Close clients say: (Clicki the line above to see others)

I think the current owners are a little angry about the thorough inspection you did. They didn't have one done and it cost them $18K.  I, my loan officer and my agent think a home inspection is well worth what I paid.

Nathan, Morehead, KY Inspection  (20101012B)

Thank You for the outstanding job you did on the inspection.  We bought and sold 9 houses and this was the only inspection that was ever done properly.  It was helpful and we will use it to do the repairs with a system, instead of the guess work we usually do.  Thanks again

Mike & Barbara, Stamping Ground, KY Inspection (20050603

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Comments (15)

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

So how did you know that there is enough force in that spring to kick your ---- across the garage?   LOL, never mind, I think I understand.

Seriously, this is a great explanation, and good advice about hiring a Professional to make the adjustment.

Jan 25, 2011 01:00 PM
Sheila Newton Team Anderson & Greenville SC
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - C. Dan Joyner - Anderson, SC
Selling the Upstate since 1989

well, I knew what the spring was for, but I haven't heard of the half open or it needs adjusting part.. thanks for that tip... now I will have to pull my cord and test my door tomorrow.. I just gotta know!

Jan 25, 2011 01:00 PM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

You had to ask, didn't you Fred.

Sheila, when you gotta know, you gotta know!  Be careful testing it.

Jan 25, 2011 01:25 PM
Shawna Green
Keller Williams Realty-Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC
The key to your real estate needs!

Erby thanks for that info...I have seen it and had no idea what it was for...now won't I sound smart when somes asks me! 

Jan 25, 2011 01:25 PM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

Active Rain makes us all smarter for our participation here, Shawna. Glad you could learn from me as I've learned from some of your posts.

Jan 25, 2011 01:27 PM
Ellen Caruso
Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty - Glen Head, NY

Erby, now I can impress my husband... as I do when I change my own flat tire!

Jan 25, 2011 10:41 PM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

I'm sure you impress him in other ways too!  But then hey, you're an impressive person.

Jan 26, 2011 12:29 AM
Larry Lawfer
YourStories Realty Group - Newton, MA
"I listen for a living." It's all about you.

Erby, I will always ask you how you know.  I can't resist a professional sharing his expertise.  Thanks for the info. 

Jan 26, 2011 10:07 AM
Timothy Mattingly
Louisville Homes Team Louisville KY louisvillehomesreport.com - Louisville, KY
Louisville Homes for Sale

Erby- It took me about an hour one time to readjust the door spring, after learning for myself why you need to be very prepared for the force of the spring.  It is way more than anyone would expect. 

Hope all is well.   

Jan 26, 2011 10:37 AM
Jason Channell
Diadem Property Inspections - Serving Southeast Michigan - Troy, MI
The House Sleuth

Erby, that's a great explanation. Good safety advice, too. I learned about garage doors the hard way.

Jan 27, 2011 06:10 AM
Erby Crofutt
B4 U Close Home Inspections&Radon Testing (www.b4uclose.com) - Lexington, KY
The Central Kentucky Home Inspector, Lexington KY

Larry, training and personal experience.

Tim oh Tim, where have you been. Glad to see you being more active in the Rain.

Jason, lot's of us have learned the HARD way!

Jan 27, 2011 11:31 AM
Timothy Mattingly
Louisville Homes Team Louisville KY louisvillehomesreport.com - Louisville, KY
Louisville Homes for Sale

I have been tightening the darn garage door spring, is it up for more pressure? Heck I give up.

I have been more active since I picked up my real estate license about 7 months ago.  Great site, great people and of course great information. 

I still manage to do my share of the inspections here in town despite the huge number of competitors, just like what you have to face.  I finally quit the day job.... Hard to walk away from that paycheck, but I have not looked back.

Jan 27, 2011 03:08 PM
The Scott Loper Team Bux-Mont Premier Properties
Keller Williams Real Estate - Montgomeryville - Lansdale, PA

Hi Erby,

Good information.  There are endless things to know about a home.  Thank God for excellent home inspectors.

Lisa

Jan 29, 2011 12:43 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

I have always seen it there but never really knew what it was for.

Jan 29, 2011 07:47 AM
Anonymous
Bill King

Erby, I was in home inspection till about 5 years ago i have met you at a couple of seminars in frankfort. Formerly King Home Inspection. Now i have been installing and servicing garage Doors www.DOORTECH-GARAGEDOORS.com

I ran across your blog on garage doorsand loved it! I would like to exchange links with you if possible. Think about it and let me know sincerel,y Bill King   859-433-1094

Sep 06, 2011 07:35 AM
#15