Have you ever thought about garage door springs in a while? Have you ever thought about the possibility that garage door springs might be out of date and need to be replaced? Many people will say no to either or both of these questions. Garage door springs don’t usually come up until they cause an audible or visible problem. Garage doors are an integral part of every home. Continue reading to learn about broken garage door springs. This guide will help you understand how to prevent damage, repair signs, average life spans, and other details.
Different types of garage door springs
There are two types of garage door springs available. But which one is right for you? What are garage door springs exactly? They are what allow your garage door to open and close. Knowing the differences between the types of springs that you can use for your garage door is crucial.
Extension Spring
These springs are extended and stretched to allow for garage door movement. Garage doors typically have two extension springs, one on each side and one running parallel to the track. They extend when the door is closed. When it is opened, they retract using pulleys or cables to make the move.
Extension springs are mostly used in residential garages. Extension springs should be installed as part of a garage door setup. Safety cables can help in the event that the cables break. Although it is unlikely that the spring will snap, it does happen so be prepared. There are several options for extension spring styles.
Double looped
The double-looped extension spring, although more durable than the open-looped one, is still much more difficult to replace.
Clipped ends
This style is durable and easy to maintain. The clipped ends also help reduce stress on the extension springs when they are in use. It is the smart choice for heavy garage doors that weigh more than 200 pounds. They are more difficult to replace than other styles.
Torsion Spring
Your garage door’s size and weight will determine how many torsion springs you need to open and close it. For average garage doors, there are usually one to two. However, heavier garage doors may require four. These springs are located above the garage door opening. Torsion springs use torque to open and close garage doors by winding around the shaft while the door lifts, and then gaining tension when it closes.
When the door is closed, there is more tension. This is when most springs fail. The garage door may fall if the springs are broken while the garage door is open. Follow safety guidelines and don’t walk under the garage door when it is open. There are many types of torsion springs. They are similar to extension springs.
Steel Rolling Door
You can find steel rolling doors in commercial buildings and they are used on rolling doors.
Torque Master
The torque shaft protects the springs from damage by encapsulating them in the torsion shaft.
How do you know if your garage door has a broken spring?
A broken spring will cause your garage door to start acting strangely. If the springs are not connected properly, your garage door may have difficulty opening or closing. You might also notice springs moving if it is disconnected. If the garage door is bent, it is an indication that the spring is broken. The garage door may be carrying more weight than it should because the spring isn’t able to support the normal amount of weight. This is evident when the springs stop working and the door bends outward.
If the spring isn’t able to handle the weight of the garage door, you will notice a difference in the way the door closes. You will notice a faster closing speed and a slower door opening. Broken springs and springs that aren’t working as expected will be apparent when the door is opened with an emergency rope.
Why do Garage Door Springs Crack?
Garage door springs that break are most often caused by wear and tear. Garage door springs are designed to have a set of cycles. The garage door’s cycle is determined by moving up and back down. The springs are rated for approximately 10,000 cycles. Although that seems like a lot at first glance, when you consider how many times you use your garage door each year, you will quickly realize the value.
If you park your car in the garage, for example, you’ll be doing at most two cycles per day. You can add additional trips like errands and children playing in your driveway while the garage door is open. Your spouse may use the car to meet their needs. Having two cars will also increase the number of cycles each day. The garage is often used by households as their front door. This increases the number of cycles and makes it seem like 10,000 cycles have disappeared in a matter of days.
Rust
The spring’s lifespan will decrease dramatically if rust begins to spread. Rust can increase friction in the coils as they expand and retract during cycles. The rate of failure increases as corrosion increases. A few times per year, you can extend the life of the springs by lubricating them with a silicone-based oil. This will help to maintain smooth cycles.
Improper Maintenance
Good maintenance will prolong the life of your springs and help you to identify when they are starting to fail. Spring failure is inevitable, but proper maintenance will ensure that they last a long time. The garage door balance should be checked at least once a season. Because of the combination of cold and tension, plus more moisture in the air, winter is the most common season for spring failure. The following will help you to check the balance:
To begin, turn the emergency cable on and place the door in manual mode.
Next, raise the door approximately halfway and release. If the springs in good condition, the door will stay put. If the door begins to sag or fall, it is a sign that the springs are starting to wear.
How to fix a broken garage door spring
Although you can find parts online and at hardware stores, it is not recommended to replace broken garage door springs. It can prove dangerous. If you need to replace your springs, it is a good idea to get professional help. There are two types of springs. Your garage door could be subject to different dangers if you try to replace them yourself.
Extension Springs Replacement
Although the replacement of extension springs is easier than replacing them, there are still dangers. You or another person could be hurt if the garage door falls on them.
People often go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and purchase the largest spring they can find in hopes that it will last longer. However, bigger does not always mean better. Extension springs should always be purchased according to how heavy your garage door is. Extension springs that are too large can cause your garage door to fly up when you open it. This can make it difficult to close. Additional damage to springs can result, which will require further repairs.
Extension springs should be purchased from a garage-certified dealer, rather than being bought by you. This will ensure that you get the right-sized spring for your door. The right extension spring will make it easier to open and close your garage door.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs have a lot of tension, which can lead to potential dangers when you try to replace them yourself. The metal is extremely tensioned and can cause the metal to fly out of a part if it snaps or breaks. You could also get cuts from rusted or corroded metal.
Professional Replacement is the Best
You should hire professionals to replace or repair your garage door springs. This will avoid potential dangers to you or others. You run the risk of serious injury if you attempt to repair or replace your garage door springs yourself.
Many homeowners are unaware of how simple it is to have a professional come to their house to replace springs. While it is great to take care of and fix any problems in your home, it is not always possible to do so. In certain cases, like garage door springs, you will benefit from hiring a professional.
Is it safe to open the garage door with a broken spring?
It may seem as though a garage door opener will allow you to open your garage door even if the spring isn’t working properly. Even with an opener, it is unsafe to open your garage door. There are many problems that can occur if you try to open the garage door using your opener.
- The doors could fall apart.
- The opener could be removed from the garage.
- The motor could fail.
- Rails can bend.
- As the motor opens the door more slowly, parts of the opener carriage may break.
- It is not common, but it has happened.
- If your springs aren’t working properly, don’t attempt to open the garage door. Even if your garage door opener is not working properly, there are other dangers depending on the type of spring system. Garage doors can weigh up to 500 pounds. Without the spring system, it would be difficult for you to lift that much weight on your own. It will be hard work and can cause injury to your body. You may inflict injury to your back, legs or feet. The garage door might also fall on you, causing further bodily harm.
You can still open your garage door if one spring is functional. However, it is not recommended that you do this often. It will be difficult to open the door and there is still danger. If someone is trying to get their car out of the garage, you can use your garage opener to help open the door. To avoid injury or damage to your garage door springs, be careful.
If you have to open the garage door, there are several ways that you can do it without an opener. These guidelines will help reduce the chances of your garage door breaking.
Hire someone to help you lift the doors
Use proper precautions to protect your back. Don’t allow the door to fall on your fingers and feet.
Pull the rope from the J-arm to disengage the door. The mechanism will then be free. Keep in mind that the opener motor was used to open the garage door before the springs failed. Be careful lifting heavy doors!
To ensure that the door stays in place, lift it up until it lands on the horizontal rails.
Do not force the door as it will bend the panels. You can avoid damaging the panels by lifting the door together with a partner. You will need to reverse the steps to close the door. However, as the weight decreases, it can be more difficult to control the garage door closing.
Pretoria Garage Doors Can Help You With Your Garage Door Springs
We can replace your springs on a residential or commercial garage door.