Garage Door Springs: Everything You Need To Know

Garage door springs are an essential part of your garage door as they ensure its smooth opening and closing. However, unfortunately, countless people get harmed in garage door-related accidents every year—and most of them result due to faulty garage door springs.

There are two types of garage door springs: extension springs and torsion springs. Extension springs are located on the sides of your garage door and torsion springs are located above it. They both ensure your garage door functions properly.

Learn about more about garage springs and how you can prevent them from being dangerous.

Are Garage Door Springs Dangerous? 

While they are essential components of garage doors, garage door springs can be dangerous in certain circumstances. They can suddenly fail to work when you least expect them to. Anyone near them when they break apart can be seriously harmed. Moreover, they can damage things kept inside your garage.

Therefore, avoid repairing or replacing garage door springs yourself. Instead, call a professional garage service to do so.

Why Do Garage Door Springs Break? 

The main purpose of garage door springs is to easily lift and lower your garage door, and they go through a lot of wear and tear, which is why they break. Most springs are designed to last for about 10,000 cycles, depending on how often you open and close your garage door. However, they lose functionality when they max out that cycle.

Another reason these springs’ lifespan  is cut short is because they develop rust. Rust is the enemy of springs—as it increases the friction caused by the back-and-forth movements of the coil. In the long run, this leads to early failure and breakage. Moreover, a lack of proper and regular maintenance is bound to cause the springs to break.

How Can You Minimize the Danger of Garage Door Springs?

If you’re noticing signs of wear and tear in your garage door springs, it is time to give them immediate attention.

Have your trusted local garage door service providers check the springs for you. If needed, they should be replaced right away. Get the garage door cables checked too—ensure that they’re not worn out or rusted. If your garage door is noisy every time you lift or lower it, it means your springs need to be lubricated. This protects them from damage and rust.

Last but not the least, you must ensure that safety cables are installed. These run through the springs and are attached to the ends of the wall or ceiling. They are literal lifesavers and prevent the springs from flying apart if they break.

Although the average lifespan of garage door springs is 7-10 years, they should be replaced depending on how often they’re used. If you use them excessively, go for torsion springs with an extended lifespan of 20,000 cycles.

Your Garage Door Guys offers garage door repair services in Oakley. If you’re looking to get your broken springs replaced, you can always reach out to us. We’d love to chat with you and provide solutions to your problems!