A garage door and its opener uses a number of components that work together to open and close the garage door. One of these components is the spring. A garage door spring or springs can wear out and break. Determining if you have a worn down spring is important. You will want to have the spring replaced before they completely break. This is not just to ensure your garage door continues to work, but to ensure safety as well. AAA Action Garage Doors would like to share the different types of springs used for garage doors, and the signs that they are wearing down or broken.
What are the Different Types Of Garage Door Springs?
There are different types of springs that operate differently from each other. Depending on the type of spring you have, it will act and behave a certain way when it wears down or breaks. Below are the different types of garage door springs and how they work:
• Extension Springs: This type of spring will stretch and extend to allow the garage door to move. Garage door systems that use extension springs will have two springs, one on each side of the tracks. When the garage door closes the spring extends. When the garage door opens, the spring retracts. Extension springs are mainly used for residential homes. These springs also come in a Double Looped extension spring, which is the same type of spring but more robust. These springs will last longer but can be more expensive and harder to replace.
• Clipped End Springs: Clipped end style springs are used for bigger and heavier garage doors. When a garage door weighs 200 pounds or more, a clipped end spring is used. Chipped end springs can help relieve stress from the garage door’s weight. Clipped End springs are a variation of the extension spring and functions in the same way.
• Torsion Springs: Depending on the size of your garage door, the number and size of torsion springs will vary. Torsion springs will vary in size and number. The bigger the garage door is figures in as well as how much weight they need to support. A Torsion spring uses torque to help open and close the garage door. The spring winds around a shaft as the door is being lifted, and again when the garage door is being closed. The more tension the spring endures when the door is closed can cause the springs to break. There are different types of Torsion springs including a Torque Master which is the most durable type of torsion spring.
What Causes a Garage Spring to Break?
A spring will break simply due to use. Most springs will need to be replaced after 10,000 cycles (each time the door opens and closes). This average is about 5 to 7 years. However another reason why a spring may break is when rust sets in and begins to eat away at the springs. To help extend the life of your garage door springs and other operating systems, is with maintenance. A garage door needs maintenance like your vehicle or your HVAC system needs maintenance. The springs will be cleaned and lubricated along with other moving components to reduce stress on the springs and other components.
What Happens when My Garage Door Spring Breaks?
Depending on the weight of the door, the number of springs it has, how many springs are broken and other relevant factors; your garage door may still open. The problem is that the door becomes crooked as it moves up or down the track because the weight is no longer equally distributed. The longer this issue is left unaddressed, the more damage will be caused until the door is stuck open or closed.
Garage Door Repair & More in Aliante, Centennial, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Lone Mountain Village, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, Tuscany Village, Whitney, Winchester & Las Vegas Nevada
If you need your springs replaced or require garage door maintenance or other services, contact AAA Action Garage Doors today.
