Imagine leaving for work one morning only to find that your garage door won’t open. As you peer into the dark garage, you notice something amiss. The garage door spring is broken. Not only is it a nuisance, but it also puts your safety at risk. So, what causes these essential components to break? And more importantly, how can you prevent it from happening? Let’s dive in and explore the intriguing world of garage door springs.
Understanding Garage Door Springs
Before we delve into why garage door springs break, it’s crucial to understand what they are and how they work. Garage door springs are tightly wound mechanisms that store energy. They counterbalance the door’s weight, making it easier to open and close. Without them, lifting your garage door would feel like a heavyweight workout!
Types of Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth operation of your garage door. These powerful mechanisms bear the door’s weight, allowing it to open and close quickly and safely. However, not all garage door springs are created equal. There are two primary types of garage door springs, each with its unique features and uses – torsion springs and extension springs.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs are located horizontally above the garage door when it’s closed. They work using torque — when the garage door goes down, the cables attached to the bottom corners of the door cause the springs to wind up, creating stored energy. This stored energy is released when the door is opened, causing the spring to unwind and lift the door.
Torsion springs are considered highly durable and safe. They come in different sizes and lengths, which should match your door’s weight and height. While torsion springs might be slightly more expensive than extension springs, their durability often makes them a cost-effective choice for many homeowners.
Extension Springs
Extension springs are the most commonly used garage door springs, particularly for residential garage doors. These springs run parallel to the horizontal tracks on each side of the garage door. They work on the principle of extension and contraction. When the garage door is lowered, the springs contract, storing energy. When the door is opened, the stored energy extends or releases, helping lift the door.
While extension springs are more affordable and easier to install than torsion springs, they usually last less time. They also have more exposed parts, which can be a safety concern if spring breaks. To mitigate this risk, safety cables are often installed with extension springs.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?
A broken garage door spring can be a real headache for homeowners. Your garage door springs play a crucial role in operating your garage door, and when they break, it can leave your door inoperable, trapping cars inside or potentially leaving your home exposed. But why do these important components break? Let’s delve into the most common reasons.
Wear and Tear
Garage door springs suffer from general wear and tear like any mechanical part. Most springs are designed to last between 10,000 and 20,000 cycles. A cycle is defined as the garage door going up and coming back down. The more you use your garage door, the faster your springs wear out. If you use your garage door multiple times daily, the wear and tear will accumulate more quickly, leading to a broken spring.
Rust Development
Rust is another common enemy of garage door springs. When springs rust, the coil’s friction increases while moving, leading to a faster spring breakdown. Additionally, rust can weaken the coil itself, reducing the life of your spring. Regularly lubricating your garage door springs can help prevent rust buildup and prolong their lifespan.
Poor Maintenance
Ignoring regular maintenance can lead to early spring failure. Maintenance includes checking the spring for wear and tear, lubricating the springs, and ensuring the garage door is balanced. A lack of care can cause issues to go unnoticed until it’s too late, and you have a broken spring on your hands.
Improper Installation or Wrong Springs
If your garage door springs were not installed correctly or the wrong type of springs were used for your garage door, this can lead to a breakdown. Garage door springs come in various sizes and styles, each designed to counterbalance a specific weight and size of the door correctly. Using the wrong spring will result in it wearing out faster and ultimately breaking.
Understanding why garage door springs break is the first step in preventing a breakdown. Regular maintenance, proper installation, and taking steps to prevent rust can all help prolong the life of your garage door springs. And remember, due to the high tension in garage door springs, always call a professional if you suspect a problem, especially when it comes to garage door repair.
Prevention Tips for Garage Door Spring Breakage
A broken garage door spring can cause many problems, including the inability to open or close your garage door effectively. Thus, taking preventative steps is crucial to minimize the risk of spring breakage. Here are some top tips on how you can prevent garage door spring breakage.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is one of the most effective ways to prevent garage door spring breakage. This includes lubricating the springs with a high-quality lubricant at least every few months. This will reduce friction, prevent rusting, and prolong the lifespan of your springs.
Proper Installation
Ensuring your garage door springs are installed correctly is crucial in preventing breakage. This means the right type of springs must be used for your garage door’s specific weight and size. Professional installation is highly recommended, as improper installation can lead to springs wearing out faster and eventually breaking.
Regular Inspection
Regularly inspect your garage door springs for signs of damage. Look out for rust, gaps in the spring, loose hardware, or if the garage door seems uneven when it’s opened or closed. If you notice any signs of wear or damage, contact a professional to have it inspected and replaced if necessary.
Balancing Your Garage Door
Ensure your garage door is appropriately balanced. An unbalanced door puts unnecessary strain on the garage door opener and the springs, which can lead to premature breakage. Disconnect the opener and manually move the door halfway up to check the balance. If it doesn’t stay put, the springs are likely unbalanced and may need adjustment.
Install Safety Cables
Consider installing safety cables if you have extension springs on your garage door. These cables run through the springs and are secured to the wall or ceiling at each end. If your spring were to break, the safety cable would contain the broken spring, preventing it from causing damage or injury.
Hire Professionals for Repair and Replacement
Garage door springs are under much tension and can cause injury if mishandled. If you’re not 100% confident taking them, hire a professional to do the job. This will ensure the job is done safely and correctly and reduce the risk of premature spring breakage.
While you can’t completely prevent garage door springs from breaking, these tips can significantly extend their lifespan and ensure the safe operation of your garage door. Regular maintenance and inspections, along with professional garage door repair and replacements when necessary, are your best defense against garage door spring breakage.
Dealing with a Broken Garage Door Spring
When a garage door spring breaks, it can lead to many problems, rendering your garage door inoperable and potentially causing a safety risk. But fear not, handling this issue is manageable if you know what steps to follow. When faced with a broken garage door spring, let’s review the recommended action.
Identify the Problem
The first step in dealing with a broken garage door spring is correctly identifying the problem. If your garage door is not operating correctly, inspect the springs. Look for signs of damage, such as a gap in the spring, a loose end, or if one spring looks different from the other (in the case of a double spring system). Remember, never attempt to open or close the door if you suspect a broken spring; it can lead to further damage or potential injury.
Disconnect the Opener
If you confirm a broken spring, disconnect the garage door opener if it’s connected. This can prevent any accidental door activation, which could result in additional damage or injury.
Do Not Attempt to Lift the Door
Never try to lift the door with a broken spring manually. The springs bear the door’s weight; the door can be hefty without them. Attempting to steal it can lead to personal injury and additional damage to the door.
Contact a Professional
Garage door springs are under high tension, and replacing them can be dangerous if not done correctly. Once you’ve identified a broken spring, it’s time to call in the professionals for garage door repair. A skilled garage door technician will have the right tools and experience to handle the job safely and efficiently.
Prevent Future Breakage
After getting your broken spring replaced, take measures to prevent future breakage. This includes regular maintenance and inspections, using a high-quality lubricant on the springs, ensuring the door is properly balanced, and having any repairs or replacements done by a professional.
Dealing with a broken garage door spring can be stressful, but knowing how to identify the problem and who to call can take much of the hassle out of the situation. Dealing with garage door springs can be dangerous, so always rely on professionals for repair and replacement.
Trust Circle B Overhead Door for Your Garage Door Spring Repair Needs
In the heart of Bryan TX, and its neighboring areas, Circle B Overhead Door is the leading authority in garage door spring repairs. Given the critical role that garage door springs play in the smooth and safe functioning of your garage doors, it’s no wonder why such a service is vital.
Garage door springs are the powerhouse behind your daily garage door operations, allowing for effortless opening and closing. When these springs become worn out or snap, a routine task can become challenging.
But the implications of damaged garage door springs extend beyond mere inconvenience. They pose a genuine safety hazard that demands immediate attention. Recognizing when your garage door springs have deteriorated and need repair is crucial.
That’s where our expertise comes in. At Circle B Overhead Door, we don’t just fix the problem; we provide peace of mind. When you find yourself in need of expert assistance, we are the team to call. Our highly trained professionals are dedicated to delivering the region’s highest-quality garage door spring repair service!
