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Is your garage door not opening? Does the door seem off balance and tilt? Have you identified rust on your springs? If so, it may be time to adjust or replace your springs. The team here at Neighborhood Garage Door Repair would love to help!
What Do Garage Door Springs Do?
Garage doors are generally pretty heavy, reaching up to several hundred pounds. While manual opening and closing the door is possible, nearly all homeowners have an electric garage door opener and spring system. These systems employ a counterbalance method, which uses force to offset the weight of your garage door. This part, in both an Extension and Torsion spring system are what provide the assisting force.
How Do Garage Door Springs Work?
The most common type of garage door system is a Torsion Spring System. In this system torsion springs, running directly above the garage door, store and distribute energy. When the garage door closes, springs are condensed and wind up to store energy. When the door is opened, the springs unwind and release the energy required to lift the garage door open.
In an Extension Spring System, they are located along each side of the garage and equally distribute the weight of the door. When the door is lifted the springs extend and a pulley system is used to lift the weight of the door.
If the integrity or position of the garage door springs is compromised, it may change how your garage door functions. Continue reading to learn how to identify a spring issue.
How Do I Know if the Garage Door Springs are Okay?
Give Us a Call
A properly fitted spring system will foster a safe and well-balanced garage door. If you have any questions about your garage door springs, don’t hesitate to call us. Our technicians here at Neighborhood Garage Door Repair are always available and eager to support your garage door needs.
Not all garage doors are made the same, and because of this, not all springs are the same. Here at Neighborhood Garage Door Repair, we want to help you figure out what type of spring you have.
Types of Garage Door Springs
The two most common types of garage door springs used in residential garage doors are torsion or extension springs. It’s easy to identify torsion springs as they are common in newly installed doors and are located above the middle of the garage door. Torsion springs will sit horizontally and are color-coded based on the amount of weight they can lift and whether they are a right wind or left wind spring. Extension springs are located a few inches above the garage door tracks and run parallel to the garage door. Extension springs are also color-coded based on the amount of weight they can lift.
What Can Cause a Spring to Break?
There are numerous things that can cause a garage door spring to break. Garage door springs are used multiple times a day, over many years, and at one point they will get worn out and break. If the load of the door is not evenly distributed this can also affect how the spring responds. Springs that have accumulated a significant amount of rust can become weak and corrode which then compromises the integrity of the spring.
Things to Remember
If you notice signs of wear such as loose, sagging springs, or gaps between coils then it is time to have a professional come take a look. Also, if you hear a loud bang coming from the garage it is wise to inspect the spring to see if it is broken or damaged. You will not be able to open or close the door with the garage door opener if the spring is broken.
It’s important to note that without the help of the spring the door is incredibly heavy (think several hundred pounds). You will most likely need someone to assist you in manually raising and closing the door while waiting for the spring to be repaired. It is recommended to manually lift both sides of the door at the same time and speed so that the door will stay on track and level.
Once you notice signs of wear it’s good to get the spring replaced as soon as possible. Prolonging the use of the damaged spring can cause other issues to appear. A worn-out spring can put additional stress on the garage door opener which can cause the motor to wear out quicker.
We Look Forward to Hearing From You
Replacing or repairing a garage door spring requires a lot of skill and expertise. Several safety precautions must be taken in order to ensure everything goes smoothly and without issue. If you’re unsure on how to go about repairing your spring then please give our team here at Neighborhood Garage Door Repair a call. One of our highly skilled technicians can have your spring issues resolved in no time. You’ll also find satisfaction in knowing that a professional inspected the door and parts and verified that everything is functioning properly.