Garage Door Springs: What You Need to Know

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Garage Door Springs What You Need To Know

Garage doors have become an essential part of most people’s homes. They offer convenience and security, but should something happen to them, it can cause significant disruption.

The springs, which are responsible for the smooth and powerful movement of the door, are arguably more critical components than the motor or door panels. In this post, we will walk you through what garage door springs are all about—from their working principles to situations where you need professional help.

What Are Garage Door Springs?

Garage door springs are tightly wound metal coils. They are designed for lifting and lowering your garage door. They evenly distribute the door’s weight, making it simple to open and close by hand or with an electric opener.

Two primary spring kinds are utilized:

  • Torsion Springs:

These are situated just above the closed door on a shaft. To raise and lower the door, they employ torque, or twisting force.

  • Extension Springs:

These are positioned in line with the door tracks’ sides. To supply the lifting power required for the door’s movement, they expand and shrink.

Garage door springs, regardless of kind, are subjected to tremendous strain and require careful handling.

 

Why Garage Door Springs Matter

You may not realize that your garage door can weigh anywhere from 130 to 400 pounds or more. Without properly functioning springs, it would be nearly impossible to lift the door safely. That is why regular garage door spring maintenance is crucial.

Springs contribute to your garage door’s performance in these ways:

  • Smoothly raising and lowering the door.
  • Preventing the opener from having to work too hard and extending its life.
  • Balancing and stabilizing the door’s movement.
  • Increasing the overall lifespan of your entire garage door system.

Common Signs of Spring Trouble

Whenever anything goes wrong with your garage door springs, recognizing the warning signs early can prevent larger, more expensive problems. Look out for these indicators that you may need garage door spring services soon:

  • The door opens only a few inches, then stops.
  • The garage door moves unevenly or out of line (e.g., one side lifting higher than the other).
  • You hear a loud bang inside your garage (a common sign that a spring has broken).
  • The door feels much too heavy for you to lift manually.
  • The opener struggles or makes grinding sounds when trying to operate the door.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time for a professional garage door spring check.

Garage Door Spring Repair: Why It’s Dangerous to DIY

Attempting to fix or replace garage door springs yourself can be extremely dangerous. Because the springs are under immense pressure, a wrong move can lead to severe injury, including broken bones, lacerations, or even death.

Professional garage door spring experts have the specialized equipment and extensive experience needed to make repairs safely. They can also accurately assess whether you need a simple garage door spring adjustment, a full replacement, or a completely new set of springs.

When it comes to the safety of your family and yourself, it’s always better not to take any chances. Spring-related repairs should always be left to the professionals.

When It’s Time to Replace Springs

Like anything else in your home, garage door springs don’t last forever. Springs typically last about 7 to 9 years under normal usage, or approximately 10,000 cycles (one cycle equals one time opening and closing).

You may need a garage door spring replacement if:

  • Your spring has visibly broken or snapped in half.
  • You have experienced frequent troubles with the door’s balance.
  • The springs themselves appear visibly rusty, worn, or stretched.
  • The door will not stay in a halfway-open position when manually lifted, indicating a loss of spring tension or a broken spring.

Changing springs at the right moment prevents potential damage to your opener, cables, and even the door panels themselves.

Periodic Maintenance of Garage Door Springs

Want to extend the life of your garage door springs? Here are some straightforward garage door spring regular maintenance tips:

  • Every few months, visually inspect the springs for signs of wear, rusting, or stretching.
  • Lubricate the springs with a specialized garage door lubricant (not WD-40) every six months to reduce friction and prevent rust.
  • To check the balance, pull the manual release cord and lift the door to about halfway. It should stay in place without assistance. If it falls or rises quickly, the weight of the door is unevenly distributed, and the springs may need adjustment.

If springs are not regularly serviced and inspected, they can wear out prematurely. That could result in the door falling suddenly and causing significant property damage or injury.

Regularly inspecting all garage door parts, including treads (likely “tracks”), arm bars, door panels, and belts (for belt-drive openers), will help you catch minor issues before they escalate into major catastrophes. Professional maintenance checks also:

  • Test the tension and balance of the springs.
  • Inspect related parts like cables, pulleys, and brackets for wear.
  • Offer garage door spring adjustment or replacement if required.
  • Provide a comprehensive check-up for your entire garage door system to ensure all parts are working in order.

Don’t wait for a complete garage door spring replacement; start with troubleshooting or professional inspection. Here are some common garage door spring problems and how you might initially check the conditions yourself:

  • If the garage door won’t open even after being unlocked, the springs could be broken. It is generally recommended to replace both springs even if only one is broken, because once a tension spring breaks, all its load passes onto the remaining spring, causing it to wear out quickly.
  • If your garage door is heavy and doesn’t want to open, the springs have likely lost tension. At first, this might seem like an easy-to-fix problem, but if left untreated long enough, it may damage your opener motor due to excessive strain.
  • If you hear a loud noise and then are no longer able to operate the door, you most likely have a broken spring.

If you suspect a spring issue, stop using the door immediately and call in a professional for safe repairs. Do not try to work on it yourself!

How to Find a Garage Door Spring Expert

When you reach the point of needing service from a contractor, ensure your selection is of high quality and will meet the demand for this essential service. Look for companies that:

  • Licensed and insured.
  • Have extensive experience in all types of garage door springs and systems.
  • Offer clear warranties on their parts and labor.
  • Provide set prices up front for the entire system, with no hidden out-of-pocket expenses during the restoration service.
  • Highly rated by customers who have used their work before.

Make sure the professional you choose is an expert in garage door springs. That way, your system will stay safe, reliable, and last longer.

Garage Door Spring Installation: What to Expect

Professional garage door spring installation is essential when replacing your old garage door springs or installing a new garage door. The process typically involves:

  • Measuring the door’s weight and type.
  • Choosing the correct spring type and size for optimal balance.
  • Safely removing old springs.
  • Installing and tensioning new springs correctly.
  • Testing the door for smooth operation and perfect balance.

All of these steps are necessary for a successful installation, and any misstep could lead to disaster rather than a functioning door. A proper installation can add years to your garage door’s life and ensure safe operation every time you use it.

Failure to ensure the garage door springs are properly installed can also cause your entire overhead door system to fail prematurely. This highlights why investing in an annual garage door spring check-up is worthwhile.

Like the rest of the garage door, springs require maintenance. When they are not properly maintained, garage door accidents can occur. Overhead door springs do critical work, constantly ensuring safe and reliable operation.

Over to You…

Garage door springs may seem like a small part of the overall system, but they play a huge role in garage door performance and safety. Whenever you need a fix or replacement for them, it is important to address such problems as soon as possible.

As long as you rely on reputable companies to install and service your garage door springs, major trouble usually comes only as a result of natural wear and tear.

So next time your garage door experiences issues, don’t ignore the springs—they could be trying to tell you something vital.