Broken Garage Door Spring – All You Need To Know
When the spring system on your garage door becomes faulty, it makes the door difficult to operate. This article explores all you need to know about a broken spring system on your garage door.
Spring repair and replacement
Is your garage making unpleasant noises? Does it get stuck when opening or closing? If so, then it’s a clear indication that you need to have your spring system checked for repair or replacement. With time, garage door spring systems become worn out and eventually break. A faulty spring system is one of the most common problems that occur on garage doors. This should not cause you to panic because broken spring systems can easily be repaired.
Getting speedy and dependable spring repair service can be problematic if you don’t know where to look. However, you can find professionals who offer quick and reliable garage door spring repair services. Repairing your garage door spring depends on several factors, including the type of spring system installed and how it broke. You may have to replace it entirely, depending on how severe the damage is. These professionals will also offer you recommendations on whether your garage door should be repaired or replaced
Repairing the spring system on your garage door by yourself is not a simple task, it requires special gear and skills to get the job done. Finding the right tools to use for the job can be such a hustle and will only waste more of your time, money, and energy. For this reason, it is always recommended that you hire a professional to repair the garage door spring, because if it is not repaired immediately, your garage door won’t work safely.
What is the likely lifespan of a garage door spring?
The spring system installed in your garage door creates the tension required for the door to swiftly shut and open. There are two types of garage door springs:
1. Extension springs
These types of springs are fixed on the sides of the garage door. They are normally used for sectional garage doors, and they require a professional to repair them as they are dangerous to work with.
2. Torsion springs
Torsion springs are normally mounted above the garage door and are fixed horizontally on the wall above. These springs help to balance the weight of the garage door and make it easy to lift the garage door using an opener or manually.
Garage door springs have a measured lifespan. They are expected to handle 10,000 cycles before they can be replaced or repaired. A garage door completes one cycle when it opens and closes. Therefore, if you use your garage door four times a day, the spring system should be able to last you close to 7 years. However, your garage door spring system may fail to last that long due to certain conditions:
- Overusing the garage door can cause the spring system to wear out rather quickly than expected
- Cold and humid conditions create a suitable environment for corrosion on the metal spring thus decreasing its lifespan
- If your garage door is made of heavy materials, it becomes too heavy thus exerting a lot of pressure on the springs which causes them to wear out much faster than anticipated.
To ensure that your garage door spring maintains a good lifespan, you need to ensure that the door is well balanced, which involves calling in a professional to regularly carry out inspections and lubricate the moving parts of the door.
How will you tell if you need a new garage door spring?
Your garage door spring will eventually need to be replaced or repaired. You need to keep an eye on certain changes in order to have it fixed as soon as possible. Below are some of the changes to beware of:
1. The garage door gets stuck
Sometimes, the garage door may get stuck and refuse to open or close all the way. This is an indication that your spring system is worn out and needs to be inspected for repair or replacement,
2. The door won’t open or close
This problem can be caused by two things, a faulty door opener or a damaged spring system. You must locate a garage door service company to diagnose the problem and help you fix it. Probably the spring just requires some cleaning and lubrication to revive it.
3. Loud rattling noises
If you hear grinding and other disturbing noises when you open and close your garage door, then you need to have your spring system inspected. This is a common manifestation that is normally tied to a faulty spring and will only get worse when ignored.
