Garage door springs are a major part of ensuring the safe, reliable function of your garage door, but many homeowners don’t know how they work. We’ve put together a complete guide to garage door spring replacement to help you identify issues with your springs and understand why they’re so important. Read below to learn everything you need to know about garage door springs!
How Do Garage Door Springs Work?
Garage door springs are a crucial component in your overhead door system. Through a counterbalance system, they create tension to maintain the weight of your garage door, holding it in place as it operates. Garage door springs work by storing energy in their coils, then releasing it and allowing the door to move.
Because garage door springs hold so much of the overhead door’s weight, a broken spring prevents your door from operating, potentially leaving you stuck in the garage.
What are the Types of Garage Door Springs?
There are two major types of garage door springs: torsion and extension.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs are the most common type. Installed horizontally above your garage door, they use torque to manage their weight. In practice, this means torsion springs tighten to close the door, then unwind as the door opens. So as the door opens and the spring releases its tension, the stored energy in the spring assists with lifting the door’s weight. Depending on the size of your garage door, you may have one or two torsion springs.
How do you know you have a broken torsion spring?
- You see a 2-4 inch gap in the coils.
- Your garage door starts to open and then slams closed.
- You hear a loud snap or bang in your garage.
Extension Springs
Extension springs are located on either side of your garage door, stretching vertically. These springs also work on a counterbalance system to maintain the weight of your overhead door. Extension springs expand and contract to operate the door, attached to a cable-pulley system. As the door lowers, extension springs stretch out to about half the door’s height. Then, as the door comes back up, the springs return to a relaxed position.
How do you know you have a broken extension spring?
- Your garage door comes up at an angle.
- You see gaps between the coils of the spring.
- Your springs are severely rusted.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?
There are three primary reasons that garage door springs break:
- General Wear and Tear
- Rust and Corrosion
- Lack of Maintenance
Luckily, you can get ahead of these issues and extend the life of your garage door springs! Through regular maintenance, your springs will be inspected and lubricated to prevent wear and rust.
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?
The average lifespan of garage door springs is 8-12 years, but this depends on many factors. For example, torsion springs are rated for about 15,000 cycles of opening and closing your garage door, meaning they will last closer to 10-12 years. On the other hand, extension springs typically cover 10,000 cycles, so may only last 7-9 years.
To get the best lifespan out of your garage door springs, we always recommend scheduling annual garage door maintenance.
Who to Call for Garage Door Spring Replacement?
When it comes time for garage door spring replacement, you need to call a professional garage door company. Because springs hold so much tension, replacing or repairing them on your own is highly dangerous.
Instead, contact Dodson Garage Doors for garage door spring replacement in the Greater Birmingham Area. We have 16 years of experience working with all kinds of springs, so we can confidently give you the best outcome for your spring repair or replacement. Reach out with your questions or to schedule an appointment!
