Garage doors are the unsung heroes of our homes, standing guard and ensuring their security and accessibility. Yet, like all mechanical items, they are susceptible to wear and tear. While DIY can be satisfying and cost-effective for many home improvement projects, there are situations where you NEED to call a professional to repair your garage door; here are signs you need to repair your garage door springs
Garage doors significantly impact curb appeal and welcome you home whenever you arrive. Yet, they are vital and tell you when they need repairs. It’s crucial to recognize the signs that your garage door needs repair to ensure its optimal functionality and maintain the safety of your home.
Signs You Need to Repair Your Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are typically located above the door near the wall, and it’s essential to know whether your door uses one or two. These springs handle the heavy lifting and maintain the door’s balance, whether torsion or extension. Over time, springs can suddenly break, posing severe risks such as injuries and property damage. If this happens, do not attempt to operate the door. Contact us immediately for professional assistance.
Signs that your garage door springs might be old or broken:
Difficulty opening or closing: You might need more force than usual to open or close the door, or the door might open or close slowly or jerkily.
Crooked door: If one side of the door is higher than the other when it opens or closes, the springs might not provide equal tension.
Noise: You might hear squealing, groaning, popping, or banging sounds when you operate the door.
The door closes too fast: When the springs are working correctly, they work together to control the speed at which the door closes. If the door closes too fast, it could indicate a spring problem.
Gap: If a torsion spring snaps in the middle, you might notice a gap that’s several inches wide.
Won’t open: Your door may not open, even when you use the emergency release.
Top Reasons Garage Door Springs Break
Wear and tear: The springs are under constant tension and release when the door opens and closes, which weakens the metal over time. Most springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles, about 7–10 years of regular use.
Rust: Rust can weaken the spring’s coils and increase friction, which can cause it to break. It is especially common in humid, rainy, or coastal climates.
Improper maintenance: The lack of having an annual maintenance done can cause springs to break.
Excessive tension: If the spring is under too much stress, it can weaken and break.
Sudden impact: If the door is hit by a car or something falls on it, the spring can break.
Door jams: Dirt, grime, or debris can build up in the door’s track, blocking the roller and causing the door to jam. This can prevent the spring from releasing its energy or coiling up to store more energy.
Improper installation: If the springs are not rated for the door or installed incorrectly, they may wear out faster.
To help prevent your garage door springs from breaking, you can:
- Regularly inspect and maintain your garage door system
- Check the balance of your garage door every season
The Importance of Garage Door Maintenance
Regular garage door maintenance is vital for ensuring safety, preventing costly repairs, extending the lifespan, and being proactive about keeping your garage door operating smoothly and securely for years.
Key benefits of garage door maintenance:
Safety: Identifying and addressing potential hazards, such as broken springs, frayed cables, or faulty sensors, can prevent injuries from a malfunctioning door.
Cost savings: Addressing minor issues early through maintenance can save you money on large repair bills later.
Extended lifespan: Regular lubrication, adjustments, and inspections can significantly increase the lifespan of your garage door.
What should be included in maintenance:
- Lubrication of moving parts.
- Inspection of springs and cables: Check for signs of wear, fraying, or damage
- Alignment check: Ensure the door tracks are correctly aligned and adjusted
- Testing safety features: Verify that the photocell sensors and auto-reverse mechanism are working correctly
- Cleaning of tracks and weather stripping: Remove debris and dirt from the tracks and weather seals
Related Articles
Interesting Garage Doors Facts
We all know garage doors have a demanding role in our daily lives, a day of ups and downs. Yet, if you look at garage doors and openers, you will know there is more [...]
Winter Garage Door Maintenance Tips
As winter approaches, so do the dropping temperatures and harsh weather. Both elements are challenging for your garage door and its moving parts. Winter Garage Door Maintenance is crucial for keeping your garage door [...]
Benefits of Fire-Rated Rolling Steel Doors
Do you need a fire-rated commercial garage door for your business? It’s hard to decide until you know about these doors' many benefits and features. Once you understand the positive impact of fire-rated commercial [...]
Energy Awareness Month in October
Energy Awareness Month in October is a good time for businesses and homeowners to learn how to choose a garage door that minimizes air leakage and has solid energy efficiency. A garage door with [...]
Benefits of Modern Glass Garage Doors
Garage doors are one of the most crucial elements of a home. It can intensify the security of property and also plays a huge role in enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your home. Today, [...]
Home & Garage Door Makeovers
When was the last time you thought of updating your garage door? If you're like many homeowners, as long as it is still opening and closing, it's not something you're thinking about. Instead, you [...]
New Artisan Wood Grain™ Finishes
Few things make a bigger impact than your garage door when enhancing your home's curb appeal. With Overhead Door™ Brand's new Artisan Wood Grain™ Finishes, you can now achieve the timeless beauty of real [...]
2023 Garage Door Trends
When it comes to home improvement, we often focus on interiors or backyards, forgetting about the one element that can make a significant impact. Your garage door is crucial to your home's overall aesthetics [...]
2022 Garage Door Trends
As 2021 ends, homeowners nationwide are looking for ways to update their spaces. There are endless ways to increase your home’s curb appeal or efficiency, from a new driveway to landscaping options. You may [...]
Garage Door Trends 2021
Improving curb appeal is one of the best decisions homeowners can make. Replacing a garage door with a newer model continues to be one of the top five home improvement projects, both midrange and [...]
Battery Backup
Today’s generation will not remember getting out of the car in the pouring rain and opening the garage door manually. Your garage door is one of many things people take for granted. You push [...]
View Our Products & Services
Call us Today at (308) 234-3667
Overhead Door Company of Kearney™ – 2110 E. Hwy 30, Suite 3, Kearney, NE 68847
Or Send us an Email
*Please Fill Out The Required Fields
Call us Today at
(308) 234-3667</a
Or Send us an Email.
Overhead Door Company of Kearney™ –
2110 E Lincoln Hwy Suite 3, Kearney, NE 68847