When it comes to your garage door, the garage door springs are one of the most essential components to keep the door functioning correctly. Unfortunately, they also happen to be challenging to repair for those without proper training and know-how. Keep reading to find out more about garage spring repair.
Types of Garage Door Springs
The springs on your garage door do almost 100% of the work when it comes to opening and closing the door. When the garage door is raised, the springs release tension to assist in lifting the door. When you close the garage door, the springs gain tension so that they are ready to release and push the door open again. When the springs break, it can make your garage door non-functional. When you need garage spring repair, knowing what kind of springs you have can help.
Extensions Spring Systems: These types of springs work by extending and contracting with a little help from cables and pulleys as the door is in motion. Extension springs are mounted on either side of the garage door track.
Torsion Spring Systems: This type of spring system uses either one or two springs, depending on the size of the door. These tightly wound springs are mounted above the garage door on the header wall.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?
Knowing the reasons why garage door springs break could help you avoid a major accident if they fail unexpectedly.
General Wear and Tear
One of the main reasons garage door springs break is general wear and tear over the years. Most garage door springs are made to last about 10,000 cycles of the garage door going up and down. So consider how much you use your garage door. Most families will have a minimum of two to four cycles per day, with a couple leaving home and returning at least once each. Then from there, factor in running errands, kids opening and closing the door for various reasons, and those cycles can start to add up! For some families, their garage door gets used more than their front door and becomes their main point of entry into the home.
Lack of Maintenance
Some people may forget about maintenance on their garage door. But if you don’t maintain it, you may have to repair it sooner! Garage door springs will fail eventually, but with proper maintenance, they may last longer, and you are more likely to become aware of an issue before it turns into a disaster. Scheduling a garage spring repair before it becomes a bigger problem can save you time, money, and the headaches involved when your garage door stops working or comes crashing down. Maintenance that you should do on your own includes lubricating the springs with white lithium grease a couple times a year and checking the garage door balance about once each season.
Rust On Garage Door Springs
Rust can mean the lifespan of your garage door springs becomes much shorter. When rust is present, it will increase friction on the coils while it is in motion and simultaneously make the coils weaker. You can combat rust and extend the life of your garage door springs by spraying a silicone-based lubricant on them three or four times each year.
Need Garage Spring Repair in Columbia, MO?
G.P. Construction is a local company with years of experience in garage spring repair in Columbia, MO. We work on both residential and commercial garage doors to keep them in excellent working condition. If you think you may need a garage spring repair, we do not recommend attempting to repair it yourself, as this process can be dangerous without the proper tools and experience. So, please don’t hesitate to contact G.P. Construction for a free estimate!