There’s nothing worse than walking out to your garage in the morning only to find that your garage door won’t open. You press the remote button and hear the motor whirring, but the door doesn’t budge. You look closely and notice that one of the springs above the door is broken.
Garage door springs are among the most frequently repaired parts. This issue is common. This guide covers why garage door springs break, how to identify them, and how to fix them.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Break
Garage door springs are under great tension, as they’re responsible for holding the door’s weight as it moves up and down. Eventually, all garage door springs will wear out and break. However, there are a few factors that can accelerate this process, including:
Age: Most garage door springs have a lifespan of around 10,000 cycles or about 7-10 years of normal use. If your springs are older than this, they’re more likely to break.
Poor Maintenance: If you don’t maintain your garage door springs, they can rust, corrode, or lose tension gradually over time, increasing the likelihood of a sudden break.
Rust: If your springs are exposed to moisture, they can rust and weaken, causing them to snap more easily.
Poor Installation: If your garage door springs were installed incorrectly or with the wrong size springs, they may break prematurely.
How to Identify a Broken Spring
A few signs can help you identify a broken garage door spring. Here are the most common:
Door won’t open or only opens a few inches: If your garage door won’t open or only opens a few inches before stopping, this is a sign that one of the springs is broken.
Loud noise: If you hear a loud noise, similar to a gunshot, coming from your garage, this is often a sign of a broken spring.
Visible damage: If you notice that one of the springs above your garage door is visibly broken or damaged, it is obviously a sign that it must be replaced.
What to Do if Your Garage Door Spring Breaks
If you’ve identified a broken garage door spring, you’ll need to take action quickly. Leaving your door to hang unsupported can put a lot of strain on the other spring and cause further damage to your garage door opener or even the door itself.
The best course of action is to contact a professional garage door repair company as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and make repairs. Attempting to fix broken garage door springs yourself can be extremely dangerous, as the springs are under great tension and can cause serious injury if mishandled.
How Are Garage Door Springs Repaired
When you call a garage door repair company, a technician will come to your home to examine the issue and give you an estimate. Replacing only one spring can unbalance the door and strain the remaining spring, so the technician will usually need to replace both. The repair process usually takes around 1-2 hours and involves these steps:
Removing the old springs: The technician will begin by releasing the tension on the broken spring and removing it from the door.
Installing new springs: The technician will install new springs that are the correct size and tension for your garage door.
Balancing the door: The technician will ensure that the door is properly balanced by adjusting the tension on the springs and checking the alignment of the garage door opener.
Testing the door: The technician will test it to ensure it opens and closes smoothly and quietly.
Tips to Prevent Garage Door Spring Breakage
While it’s impossible to prevent garage door springs from wearing out over time, you can do a few things to extend their lifespan and reduce the likelihood of a sudden break. Here are a few tips:
Regular maintenance: Have your garage door professionally serviced every year. It includes lubricating the moving parts, inspecting the springs, and making necessary adjustments.
Replace both springs: If one spring breaks, replace both simultaneously. It ensures the door is properly balanced, reducing the likelihood of future breakage.
Use the door properly: Don’t slam the door shut or try to open it manually while the opener is engaged.
Check your springs regularly: Inspect your garage door springs once a month to ensure they’re not rusted, corroded, or showing signs of wear.
A broken garage door spring is a frustrating problem, but it’s a common one that can be resolved by contacting a professional garage.
Contact All A’s Garage Door Services LLC
All A’s Garage Door Services LLC provides garage door services. We understand that a broken garage door is frustrating and unpleasant. Our professional technicians will immediately come to your location, diagnose the issue, and offer the best solutions. Therefore, we provide fast, efficient, and reasonable services.
If you need garage door services, contact us today! Our friendly staff will happily answer any questions and schedule an appointment at your convenience. Trust us for all your garage door needs!