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Garage door springs are a big deal when it comes to making sure your garage door goes up and down smoothly, quietly, and safely. Even though they may not be the most exciting part of your home, they’re a necessary part of keeping it safe and secure. A broken garage door spring can be a real problem so the type of spring you install on your garage door can make all the difference in whether or not you’ll be able to use your garage door in the future.
They are usually made of steel, and they’re attached to the header at the top of the garage door. However, many other materials are also used such as stainless steel, aluminum, and fiberglass. When you pull the bottom of your garage door up, it’s being lifted by a spring that is attached to that same handle.
What are the different garage door spring types?
There are many different types of garage door springs available on the market today. This can make it very confusing to choose the right one. There are three main types: single-torsion, double-torsion, and extension spring systems. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks, but they all perform the same basic function: they raise and lower your garage door when it’s in motion. Keep reading to learn more about each type of spring system!
Single-torsion spring systems
Single-torsion spring systems are the most common type of garage door spring. They’re made up of steel wire, which is wound around a metal rod. These springs are connected to your garage door via a pulley at each end and can be adjusted for tension or replaced if they break.
Double-torsion spring systems
Double-torsion springs are more expensive than single-torsion springs, but they produce a smoother lift and are also more durable. Because of this, double-torsion spring systems can last up to twice as long as single-torsion spring systems. These springs are also less likely to break due to their increased strength and durability; however, they may require some maintenance over time to keep them working properly.
Double-torsion springs are two separate torsion springs that work together to provide the required force needed for the proper operation of your garage door opener system, typically around 200 pounds per inch. These two sections make up one complete unit that grips onto each end of what is called an “eyelet” or “cable drum” within your garage door opener system.
Extension spring systems
Extension springs are made of steel wire and are attached to the header and bottom rail with spring anchors. The springs may also be secured by brackets that attach to the side rails between each spring. They are available in different lengths and strengths, which determine how much weight they can lift without breaking or twisting off their attachments. These springs work by converting potential energy stored within the coil into kinetic energy as it unwinds, causing it to compress when being wound back up.
You may be wondering, “What is the difference between these garage door spring types?” The answer is that each type has its own unique set of pros and cons, so you need to think twice before deciding which one to install.
Steps To Repair Broken Garage Door Spring
There is nothing worse than trying to get your car out of the garage and having a broken garage door spring. This is a problem that can occur on either side of your garage door and can be caused by years of wear, allowing it to weaken over time. The good news is that you can easily fix this problem yourself at home with some basic tools and materials. Here’s how:
Locate the problem area
Let’s start by determining what parts are broken. You can usually find this out by observing which section of the garage door is not moving when you try to open it. If one side or a corner is stuck, it indicates that something has come loose. This may be due to a broken spring, track, or cable.
If your garage door suddenly started making louder than normal sounds when opening or closing, then chances are that something has slipped off its track and needs fixing immediately so as not to damage other parts further down the road!
Remove the broken spring
There are a few steps to removing the broken garage door spring, but it’s not too complicated. First, use a screwdriver to pry the spring off of the track. Second, remove any debris from inside your garage door track so that you can fit new replacement springs inside. Don’t forget to wear safety goggles before working on this project!
Repair the track if needed
If the track is damaged, you will need to remove the door from the tracks. To do this, you must first disconnect the spring and motor from their mounting points. Next, you will remove any screws or bolts that hold the door in place and lift it out of its track. If there are any other components attached to your garage door that may prevent the removal of your garage door, disconnect them as well such as window openers. Once removed from its track, inspect both sides of your new replacement material for damage or wear before installing it onto your existing hardware system.
Replace the spring with a new one
Once you’ve made sure that the spring is the right size, it’s time to start replacing it. Before you begin, make sure that you have all of the necessary tools: a screwdriver, pliers or adjustable wrench, and an Allen key or Allen wrench with a hexagonal shaft.
Next, make sure you have the right kind of spring and pulley for your door. If your garage door has an extension arm with a chain-driven opener, then there should be an end cap at either end of one side panel, one on each side panel if it’s two panels thick that holds two pulleys in place: one above another. Make sure that these two parts are present before buying any new ones; if they aren’t present or are damaged beyond repair then those parts need to be replaced as well!
Test your new garage door
Test your new garage door repair by pulling the garage door down and up again, making sure it works properly. If you are satisfied with the results and feel confident in your DIY skills, you won’t need to replace the entire spring. However, if there is any sign of damage or malfunctioning parts, then you may need to repeat this process until all broken springs have been replaced with new ones.
What are the causes of a broken garage door spring?
You might be wondering, why is my garage door spring broken? Why does it break? Not everyone knows what causes them to break. It’s important to understand how your springs work to prevent any future problems.
The most common cause of broken garage door spring is incorrect door weight
Your garage door springs may have broken because of incorrect door weight. If you have an old, heavy garage door and you’re trying to lift it with a small set of springs, then this could cause them to break. If your new garage door isn’t balanced correctly, then the tension on each spring will be uneven, which will cause a single spring breakage in no time at all.
A broken torsion spring can also be caused by incorrectly attached cables or chains for those who have an electric garage door. The chains that attach the torsion springs are connected to hooks on the end of each chain so that they don’t slip off over time, but if these hooks aren’t correctly placed onto their respective sprockets, then it’s likely that one or more chains will come loose from their sprockets under any amount of stress.
If your garage door doesn’t open or close properly after replacing its broken torsion springs, there could be another issue preventing proper operation: either an obstruction blocking access between gears inside an electric motor or damaged tracks preventing smooth movement along rails outside both manual and automatic units.
Most springs break due to wear and tear
Over time, the strands of steel that make up your garage door spring will weaken and eventually break. If you have an older spring, it is more likely to break than a newer one because older springs are more prone to age-related damage than newer ones. Additionally, the springs on your garage door may deteriorate more quickly than they would otherwise if you open and close it frequently.
Springs can also wear out from age
As a garage door spring ages, the tension it provides to your garage door will progressively diminish. Eventually, the spring will lose so much of its tension that it will break. You’ll know when this happens because your garage door won’t open or close properly and may stop working altogether.
Temperature changes cause the springs to lose their tension as well
The temperature changes in your garage can also cause the springs to lose their tension as well. For example, if you leave your car parked in direct sunlight, the steel spring will expand and contract continuously over time due to temperature changes. This continuous movement causes wear and tear on the spring and eventually causes it to break or lose its tension.
What is the lifespan of garage door springs?
If your garage door springs are giving you trouble, it’s important to know what to expect from them. How long do they last? How often should I replace mine? This will help you understand your garage door springs and what factors go into determine their lifespan.
The lifespan of a garage door spring depends on the type of springs used and the frequency of use. Springs can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years, depending on these factors. If you have an older garage door that hasn’t been replaced for some time, your springs may be showing signs of wear. You will notice this by noticing that it takes more effort to open or close the door than it used to take. This is due to wear and tear on the spring and its connection points, which over time causes them to not function as well as they once did when they were new.
The lifespan of a garage door spring is largely dependent on how well you maintain it. The most important thing you can do to avoid premature wear on your springs is to regularly lubricate the pulleys and torsions. This will ensure that the springs are moving smoothly and efficiently, reducing the strain on them.
Aging garage doors may experience problems with their tracks, which can cause them to sag or become uneven over time. If this happens, then it’s time for some repairs but before taking any action, consider whether or not you have enough space in your budget for these repairs and potential replacements down the road!
If you notice any damage to a spring assembly, contact an experienced technician immediately for replacement advice and repair recommendations so that no further harm comes from whatever caused those issues initially!
So there you have it! Most garage door springs last between 5 and 15 years. But remember, no matter how well you maintain your spring assemblies, they will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
If you have a broken garage door spring, it’s best to call a professional for help!
Did your garage door spring break? Does it need repairs or replacement? Here at Tom Garage Door Repair, we provide the best and most efficient way to repair or replace a garage door spring. We take a diligent and thorough approach to ensure that our results are long-lasting and durable.
We understand that when your garage door isn’t working properly, it can cause all sorts of headaches. That’s why we provide same-day service so you can get back to your life as quickly as possible. And if you need a new garage door spring, we have a wide selection of garage door springs to choose from. We also offer other services like garage door opener repair, garage door cable repair, garage door roller replacement, and more. Contact us now for a fast and reliable garage door service!
