Garage door springs are tiny components with a crucial job. Opening and closing your garage door applies extreme force to the springs over time. Broken or snapped springs can no longer move the door, which is one of the leading causes of garage door malfunction. How long a spring will last before breaking depends on several factors. You should know who to turn to when they finally wear out and need replacing.
If you hear a spring break or think your garage door springs’ life span is near its end, contact the professionals at Quality Door Company. We offer standard and emergency services to handle all your garage door spring issues. Our team of expert technicians has the training to service and replace springs for all makes and models of garage doors.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS
There are two types of garage door springs.
1. TORSION SPRINGS
Torsion springs turn as your garage door closes and store wound-up energy. If your garage door uses torsion springs, they use collected power to open the garage door through a torsion system. When torsion springs properly balance a garage door, it opens and closes easily. Torsion springs sit either above the garage door or in the back of the garage, and they typically resist wear and tear longer than extension springs.
2. EXTENSION SPRINGS
Extension springs run along horizontal tracks that attach to your garage door brackets with cables. In some cases, they sit above the garage door tracks. Generally, if your garage door springs are on either side of your garage door, you have extension springs.
They stretch fully as your garage door closes. When you open your garage door, the springs contract and pull the garage door up. Extension springs stay outstretched while the door is closed, experiencing significant pressure that leads to damage over time, limiting your spring system’s life cycle.
HOW LONG DO GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS LAST?
Garage door springs’ life span depends on many factors.
USAGE FREQUENCY
On average, extension garage door springs last 10,000 open-and-close cycles, about three to five years for most home and business owners. Your springs can last over 13 years if you usually open your garage door twice a day. On the other hand, the springs may wear out within approximately four and a half years if you open your garage door six times daily.
With more homeowners using their garage doors as the primary entrance to their home, many find their garage door springs wear out sooner because of the heavy use.
TYPE OF SPRING
The two garage door spring types have different life expectancies. Torsion springs generally last longer than extension springs because they are not under constant pressure. Quality torsion springs can sometimes last anywhere from 15,000 to 20,000 cycles. Extended life span torsion springs can last four times as long as conventional torsion springs. Having two torsion springs on either side instead of one can also put less pressure on the springs and extend their usable life span.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
You can prolong your garage door spring life expectancy with regular preventive maintenance. By replacing springs when wear and tear first occurs, you can avoid snapped or broken springs that prevent your garage door from opening and closing. Preventive maintenance also reduces the risk of a more expensive emergency service call.
Quality Door Company offers the following maintenance procedures.
- Inspecting pressure levels: Professionals maintain your complete garage door system, including the springs, to ensure no component puts excessive pressure on the springs.
- Lubricating the system: Our expert technicians lubricate the springs to prevent friction and rust that can make them wear out sooner.
- Checking spring condition: A professional will check your entire spring assembly and its tension and recommend whether you should replace any parts.
When we visit your home for maintenance procedures, we do more than check the springs for wear. We look at your complete garage door system. We may find another part of the garage door is not working correctly or placing unnecessary pressure on your springs. In that case, our expert technicians can address the issue before it shortens your door’s life span.
WHY DOES A GARAGE DOOR SPRING BREAK?
Garage springs are vital for keeping your garage door operational. However, various factors can deteriorate your garage door springs. This list will cover typical reasons garage door springs break.
WEAR AND TEAR
Wear and tear are common culprits of broken garage door springs. Springs are subject to significant stress and tension during the door’s daily operation, leading to gradual degradation. The constant contraction and expansion cycles weaken the metal, ultimately causing it to snap. Regular use accelerates wear and tear, especially during extreme temperature fluctuations. Garage door maintenance is crucial for preventing problems and keeping your door in good shape year-round.
LACK OF MAINTENANCE
Neglect is another significant contributor to garage door spring failure. Lack of lubrication on the springs can result in increased friction and wear. Putting off routine inspections may lead to unnoticed issues, allowing minor problems to escalate into full-scale failures. Proactive maintenance can prevent many of the reasons garage door springs break. You can mitigate risks by remembering to perform frequent lubrication and visual inspections.
RUST AND CORROSION
Exposure to moisture and environmental elements can corrode garage door springs, significantly compromising their structural integrity. Rust weakens the metal, making it more susceptible to fractures. Applying rust-resistant coatings and addressing rust spots promptly with cleaning and treatment can extend your springs’ life span.
POOR-QUALITY SPRINGS
The garage door springs’ quality is critical in determining their longevity. Substandard springs may not withstand the tension and stress, leading to premature failure. Invest in high-quality springs to ensure they can handle the stress of regular use. Superior springs are better at enduring environmental conditions, reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakage.
Spring size is another factor to consider here. They will wear out faster if they are too large or too small for your garage door.
DIY REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS
While do-it-yourself projects can save money, they can also backfire on you without proper training and tools, inadvertently leading to severe issues. Garage door springs are under substantial tension, and attempting amateur repairs poses significant safety risks.
Adjusting the garage door spring tension is not a DIY task and can be dangerous if you do not understand the intricacies of the garage door system. Incorrect adjustments can result in uneven tension distribution that unnecessarily strains the springs. Additionally, trying to fix issues without the appropriate tools can further compromise your garage door’s quality.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU NEED TO REPLACE YOUR GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS
While it is usually impossible to repair broken or damaged garage door springs, you can call the professionals at Quality Door Company for a total replacement. Our knowledgeable technicians will safely remove the old, worn-out springs and replace them with the optimal type and size for your garage door.
You may notice a few signs when you need to replace your torsion springs.
- Unexpected noise: You might hear a loud bang or snapping noise when a spring breaks.
- Ineffective mobility: Your garage door may get very heavy or stop moving entirely.
- Visible damage: Breaks, gaps, stretched-out and uneven springs all indicate the need for a replacement.
When you notice or suspect any problems with your springs, contact the experts at Quality Door Company for prompt and courteous service that prevents accidents or further damage. Unfortunately, you can’t complete a garage door spring replacement with your everyday household toolbox. Spring replacement is a task best left to the professionals. Garage doors have complex systems that can be dangerous for untrained homeowners. The team at Quality Door Company will replace and repair your garage door springs while keeping you safe.
CONTACT QUALITY DOOR COMPANY FOR GARAGE SPRING ASSISTANCE
Since 1984, our family company has offered outstanding garage door installation, repair and maintenance services to homeowners and businesses in Western Michigan. We work with all makes and models and get your garage door working smoothly as soon as possible.
Quality Door Company can help if your garage door stops working or you notice anything unusual. Contact us today for a free quote.
