The garage door system is made of several components that from time to time will require maintenance and replacement. One of these components is the garage door springs. The garage door spring is one of most common components that often needs replacing. AAA Action Garage Doors will share how you can spot bad springs so as to better alert you to know when it is time to replace your garage door spring.
Types of Garage Door Springs; Extension & Torsion
There are two types of garage door springs used in residential garage door systems. To know if your garage door springs are wearing out, it first helps to known what type of garage door spring you have. The two garage door springs used are Torsion springs and Extension springs.
Torsion Springs – Large or over-sized garage doors often uses torsion springs. If the garage door itself weighs over 400 to 900 pounds, torsion spring are used. The torsion springs are located on the top of the garage door and on the inside of the garage. The torsion spring looks like a long black tube. The tube is covering the spring.
Extension Springs – Extension springs are used for smaller garage doors that are around 9’x7’ in size. Extension springs are located on the track of the garage door. The track follows the ceiling down the side of the garage door opening. The extension spring looks like a trampoline spring and are on both sides of the track, toward the ceiling.
What Happens When a Garage Door Spring Breaks?
The first obvious sign that you need to replace your springs is that they are broken. The springs can break over time and will split in half or begin to break. When the spring breaks you will want to hire a garage door technician to handle the replacement. Some other additional signs that your garage door springs are going bad or are bad is:
• Your garage door jerks and shakes or even stops while it is opening or closing.
• Your garage door looks like it is sagging or crooked on one side.
• You may see gaps in the springs like they are spreading apart, kind of like a slinky. Or they are stretched out.
• If your garage door had a collision recently, this can cause damages to garage door and cause the springs to break.
Importance of Replacing Garage Door Springs
The garage door springs support the entire weight of the garage door. In order to continue a smooth operation of the garage door, the springs must be holding the garage door evenly. Additionally, it helps to prevent accidents and injury. When the springs break, the garage door can come down while it is being opened. If any one was underneath the door when it falls it can cause serious injury and even death.
Lifespan of Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are good for 10,000 activations; meaning each time your garage door opens and closes. Depending on the garage doors usage, that means springs can last anywhere from 7 to 12 years. To help extend your springs usage, regularly apply silicone lubricates on the springs.
Garage Door Replacement & More in Summerlin, North LV, Henderson, Enterprise, Paradise, Sunrise Manor, Spring Valley, Anthem, Desert Shores, Green Valley Ranch, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, Peccole Ranch, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, The Lakes & Las Vegas Nevada
If you’re seeing signs of your garage door springs wearing out or find they are broken, AAA Action Garage Doors can help maintain, repair, or replace any of your garage door components. Contact AAA Action Garage Doors today.
