7 min read
Garage door springs are the workhorses of your garage door system. They counterbalance the weight of the door (typically 150-250 pounds for a standard residential door), making it possible for your opener.or you.to lift it with minimal effort.
There are two main types of springs:
Torsion Springs: Mounted above the door on a shaft, these springs wind and unwind to lift and lower the door. They're the most common type in modern installations.
Extension Springs: Mounted on either side of the door, these springs stretch and contract. They're typically found on older installations or smaller doors.
Both types are under extreme tension and can be dangerous when they fail. Here are the warning signs to watch for.
If your garage door suddenly won't open, or the opener strains and struggles, a broken spring is likely the culprit. Without functioning springs to counterbalance the door's weight, the opener can't do its job.
What to do: Don't force it. Attempting to open a door with broken springs can damage your opener and create a dangerous situation. Call a professional immediately.
Spring failure often announces itself dramatically. If you heard a loud bang from your garage.like a firecracker or gunshot.it was probably a spring breaking. The sound comes from the spring releasing its stored energy.
What to do: Inspect your springs from a safe distance. A broken torsion spring will have a visible gap in the coil. Don't attempt to operate the door.
If one side of your door lifts faster than the other, or the door appears crooked when opening, you may have one broken extension spring (if you have two) or an issue with the cables connected to your springs.
What to do: Stop using the door to prevent further damage and potential safety hazards. Schedule a repair as soon as possible.
During your monthly visual inspection (you do those, right?), look at your torsion spring. If you see a visible gap in the coil, the spring has broken but hasn't fully released yet.
What to do: This is a ticking time bomb. Even though the door may still operate, the spring could fail completely at any moment. Schedule replacement immediately.
A garage door should close smoothly and at a controlled pace. If your door slams shut or drops faster than normal, the springs aren't providing proper resistance.
What to do: This is dangerous and could injure someone or damage the door. Stop using the door and call for repair.
Extension springs should be the same length on both sides. If one appears stretched longer than the other, it's weakening and will fail soon. Torsion springs showing visible wear, rust, or corrosion are also due for replacement.
What to do: Proactive replacement now prevents an emergency later. Schedule an inspection.
If you disconnect your opener and try to lift the door manually, it should feel relatively light (under 10 pounds of effort). If it feels heavy, your springs are worn and not providing adequate lift.
What to do: Worn springs put extra strain on your opener and can cause premature failure. Schedule spring replacement soon.
We cannot stress this enough: garage door spring replacement is not a DIY project. Here's why:
Extreme Tension: A wound torsion spring contains enough stored energy to cause severe injury or death if it releases unexpectedly.
Specialized Tools: Proper spring replacement requires winding bars, vise grips, and other specialized tools that most homeowners don't have.
Precision Required: Springs must be wound to the exact number of turns for proper door balance. Too few turns won't lift the door; too many puts excess stress on the system.
Matching Springs: If one spring breaks, you should replace both. A new spring and old spring won't balance properly.
When you call Garage Door Bradbury for spring replacement:
1. Assessment: We inspect the entire system, not just the springs 2. Recommendation: We explain your options and provide upfront pricing 3. Quality Parts: We use high-cycle springs rated for 20,000+ cycles 4. Proper Installation: Our certified technicians ensure perfect balance 5. Testing: We test the door multiple times to verify proper operation 6. Warranty: All our work is covered by our lifetime warranty
While springs will eventually wear out (typically after 10,000-15,000 cycles, or 7-10 years of normal use), you can extend their life:
- Keep springs lubricated with silicone spray, Ensure the door is properly balanced, Don't ignore unusual noises, Schedule annual professional inspections
If you've noticed any of these warning signs, don't wait for a complete failure. Contact Garage Door Bradbury for fast, professional spring replacement. We offer same-day service and 24/7 emergency response.
Request a quote or call 626-562-0947 today.