Professional Garage Door Spring Repair
Garage door springs typically last between 7 to 10 years. Lubricating your springs can extend their lifespan, but eventually, all springs wear out due to years of use. If you attempt to replace springs yourself, you could injure yourself, so it’s better to hire a professional for help.
Look for these signs that you need garage door spring repair:
- Unbalanced door
- Jerky or slow-moving door
- Visible damage
- Failure to open or close
- Banging or squeaking noises
Most garage doors utilize either torsion or extension springs. Torsion springs store energy when you close the garage door and release it when you open the door. Extension springs also store energy, but they stretch when the door closes instead of coiling. Both types of springs ensure that the door operates smoothly and remains balanced.
Check your springs periodically for signs of rust, damage, or breakage. If they are approaching the end of their lifespan, replacing them can prevent costly repairs. A broken spring can cause your garage door to crash down, potentially damaging your vehicle or injuring someone nearby.
A jerky or slow-moving garage door indicates a damaged spring. The door should effortlessly slide up and down in perfect alignment with the doorway. When it struggles to operate, a broken spring likely fails to support its weight. You might also hear grinding, squeaking, or banging sounds.
Functional springs allow you to lift your garage door manually. If the door feels too heavy, it is probably out of balance. Other warning signs include doors that close unexpectedly, gaps in the springs, bent or sagging doors, and total failure to operate.
Avoid using your garage door if you suspect the springs are broken. Trying to open the door manually or using a garage door opener might worsen the damage. Additionally, don’t stand near the door, and keep children and pets away from the garage. If possible, keep the door closed to prevent it from falling unexpectedly.