Why You Shouldn’t Delay Garage Door Spring Replacement

A torsion spring will last approximately 10,000 cycles. One complete cycle includes opening and closing your garage door. This means if you open your garage door 3-4 times a day, the garage door springs should last between 7-10 years. When you notice any signs that your garage door springs are malfunctioning, you should replace them immediately. The top three reasons why you should never delay garage door spring replacement are for:

Safety

Safety is a big concern when dealing with garage door springs. Even when broken, springs are dangerous because of the tension they carry. If there is a broken garage door spring lying in your garage, it could be picked up by a child or stepped on by a pet. We recommend that you schedule garage door spring replacement as quickly as possible.

Damage

Not only will broken springs damage the cosmetics of your garage door, but effect other interior mechanisms that make up your garage door system. Like a domino effect, if you continue to use your overhead door with a broken spring, it will damage your garage door. Most likely, it will cause additional strain on the garage door opener, which may mean premature garage repairs.

Cost

The longer you delay spring replacement, the higher the cost will be. Additional repairs will add up, and if the garage door slams shut on anything, that adds to the damage and cost. Your garage door panels, for instance, can be damaged if the springs suddenly snap and cause your garage door to crash down like an old accordion. A faulty spring also causes the garage door opener to work twice as hard, leading to early burnout and additional repairs needed.

5 Signs You Need Garage Door Spring Repair

If you’re experiencing severe issues with your garage door, chances are that the springs are damaged or broken. Typically, the garage door won’t open, moves slowly, or slams shut when there’s a broken spring. It can be inconvenient when your garage door stops functioning, which is why we make your garage door spring replacement a priority. Keep an eye out for the following five signs that you need garage door spring repair:

Garage Door Moves Slowly or Partially

If your garage door has a broken spring, it becomes much harder for the opener to move the garage door. The door will likely move extremely slowly or only move a couple of inches. In this instance, a lot of strain is being placed on the opener, which leads to easy burnout. So, if you’re experiencing these issues with your garage door, stop trying to open it and call us immediately. 

Gap Between Spring Coils

If you think that you may have a broken garage door spring, you can take a look at it. If there’s a 3-4 inch gap between the coils, it’s a good indication that it’s broken. The spring won’t be able to wind and unwind like usual, which creates gaps. 

Garage Door Slams Shut

Garage door springs are instrumental in creating equal balance in the garage door, so balance is thrown off when the springs are broken. This may cause the garage door to slam shut, which presents a major safety hazard. If you have a two-spring system with one that’s broken, it will cause one spring to take on the entire workload. This may lead your garage door to have jerky movements or slam shut.

Garage Door Moves Crookedly

When the opener is powering the door with a broken spring, it’s possible for the top section of the garage door to bend. This may mean that the garage door moves at an angle or comes off the track. If this happens, we recommend that you stop using your garage door and give us a call. 

Fallen or Loose Garage Door Cables

Springs work in conjunction with cables, which means damaged springs also impact the cables. Cables will likely be subjected to extra stress, eventually becoming loose or falling off their drums. If you ever notice garage door parts lying on the ground, contact us immediately. 

Leave Broken Garage Door Spring Repair to the Professionals

Ellis Overhead Door is ready to handle your garage door spring replacement in Van Alstyne, Denison, Sherman, and McKinney. Make sure that you don’t tackle garage door spring repair yourself, as it could cause harsh injuries. Give us a call for affordable garage door spring replacement with our well-trained, friendly garage door repairmen.