Photo by James Allen on Unsplash
Odds are that you never think about your garage door or what makes it operate until it fails to open. But with just a little knowledge about what keeps your garage door moving smoothly, you can avoid a situation where your car is trapped behind that heavy door.
Whether you use a remote-controlled opener or lift the door manually, springs are what make it possible for a heavy garage door to open easily. Learn about the different kinds of garage door springs, how you can maintain them, and the warning signs that suggest you need garage door spring replacement or repair.
The Two Kinds of Garage Door Springs
Your garage door uses either torsion springs or extension springs. Here’s what you need to know about both types.
Garage Door Torsion Springs
You’ll find torsion springs on most newer garage door models. These large springs are positioned on the top of the garage door and wind and unwind as the door is lifted and lowered. Torsion springs are recognized as being:
- Stronger, sturdier, and longer lasting. They should last approximately 10,000 cycles (about 7-9 years), but higher-end versions can continue to operate for up to 25,000 cycles
- Steadier and better balanced, which makes the door easier to lift and creates less stress and wear
- Safer than extension springs when they do break. You’ll hear a loud sound but the spring will remain inside the shaft. However, you should never attempt garage door torsion spring replacement on your own
Extension Springs
Extension spring technology is older but you’ll still find them on many garage doors—especially in smaller garages. You’ll find them on the side of the door, and they extend with help from cables and pulleys when the door is operating. Extension springs typically:
- Have a shorter life-cycle than torsion springs
- Require more maintenance than torsion springs
- Have a jerky motion when operating that can cause increased wear and tear
- When extension springs fail, it’s usually because they’re overstressed. And if they do break, it could cause personal injury or property damage. As with torsion springs, homeowners should contact a professional to replace or repair broken extension springs.
No matter which type of spring your garage door uses, it relies on tension to lift and lower the door. Tension is increased as the door lowers and is released when the door goes up. Most of the time, springs will break when the door is down. But if they do break when the door is up, move out of the way quickly since the door will come crashing down.
How Do You Know When It’s Time to Replace Garage Door Springs?
Check your garage door at least once each month to make sure it’s operating safely. Here are some trouble signs to look for:
- The garage door opener will not be able to move the door and if you manually try to lift it, it will be extremely heavy
- The garage door opens only a few inches—not all the way. That’s because the torsion springs are no longer able to support the full weight of the door
- If your garage door is uneven and crooked, that’s a sign that the extension spring on one side of the garage is broken
- Because energy rotates on a torsion spring, when it breaks and the energy is displaced, the spring will quickly unravel, its coils will spin, and it will make a loud noise. Then, you’ll notice a gap in the spring.
- The door falls quickly when you close it because the spring isn’t supporting its weight
- If the extension springs are making the door operate in a more jerky fashion than usual, that’s a likely sign the springs are failing
- The emergency-release rope isn’t able to lift the door
- Test your safety reversing mechanism by “catching” the garage door with your hands as it closes. If it doesn’t reverse and keeps dropping, remove your hand immediately. A disabled reverse mechanism is extremely dangerous.
- If you are unsure about your garage door’s performance and have any questions, it’s best to contact a professional right away to see if you need garage door spring repair.
“Because energy rotates on a torsion spring, when it breaks and the energy is displaced, the spring will quickly unravel, its coils will spin, and it will make a loud noise.”
How to Maintain Garage Door Springs
To help keep your springs in good working order, a simple technique can help extend their life. Twice a year, use a spray lubricant that will reduce rust and corrosion.
Garage Door Broken Spring Replacement and Repair
Don’t risk injury or damage trying to repair or replace a spring on your own. Homeowners don’t know the proper techniques and safety precautions to use when attempting garage door broken spring repair. There’s still a lot of tension in spring systems even when a spring breaks, and the doors are extremely heavy.
The garage door professionals at Austin’s Greater Garage Doors have the training and expertise to make a same-day repair or replacement, keep you safe, and give you quick access to your vehicle. Contact us here for a free quote or call us at (512) 865-4813 for immediate service.