Do broken garage door springs mean the entire garage door needs to be replaced? Not necessarily. Replacing bad springs might be all it takes to get that garage door operating smoothly again. Here are 5 signs to look for in springs that are on the way out:
1. Open & Close actions change:
• Door often stops when opening.
• Door falls down rapidly when closing.
• There is a jerking action as it opens and closes.
• Door cannot be lifted even after using the emergency release rope.
2. The door appears to be crooked and/or the top section looks bent.
3. There appears to be some separation in the spring(s), it may look elongated, have a gap or lack tension.
4. Problems began after the garage door was bumped by a car.
5. It looks like the cables are broken or disconnected from the door.
Spring Type: There are two types of garage door springs:
• Torsion: Larger doors that weigh about 400-900 lbs. usually feature torsion springs.
• Extension: Most standard 9×7 doors, or smaller garage doors, are installed with a single extension spring found on a rod that runs across the top of the door. A larger door equipped with extension springs will most likely have two.
Lifespan of Springs: Garage door springs are not immortal. They do have a lifespan. The more use a garage door gets, the quicker springs wear out. That is what the cycle rating indicates on garage doors. An average door is rated for about 10,000 cycles. That means, depending on use, springs are designed to last about 7-12 years.
If your garage door springs are nearing the end of their lifespan, or show signs of wear, contact Smokey’s Garage Door, we’re a garage door service company in Glendale, AZ, before you get locked out or locked in. Garage door spring replacement is a simple issue that could turn into a much larger problem if you delay.