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Garage doors typically have two types of springs: torsion and extension. Torsion springs run perpendicular to the ground, whereas extension springs run parallel. Both provide energy to lift the garage doors and help them close smoothly. Garage door springs experience considerable wear and tear and require routine maintenance. That includes relubricating, tightening, realigning, and replacing. Without this care, worn springs can lead to damage and even premature replacement of other garage door parts.
Old Age
The average lifecycle of a garage door spring is 10,000 cycles. Each cycle includes a full opening and closing. Generally, garage door spring lifespan is 6 to 10 years. The goal should be to replace your springs as they near the end of their usefulness. Don’t wait for them to fail. A spring that fails suddenly can cause physical damage and cause significant damage to a garage door.
Stretched-Out Springs
The industry recommendation is to schedule a professional garage door inspection at least once per year. Homeowners should also perform their own visual inspection at least once a month. Look for springs that have stretched out or appear misshapen. When garage doors close, their springs wind up and store energy. When the doors open, those springs release that energy to help lift it. Over time, a spring can lose its elasticity. As it does, it can’t reserve and discharge the same amount of energy. Stretching out can occur through normal wear and tear. It can also happen prematurely due to improper installation or harsh weather.
Snapped Spring
Garage door springs are under a great deal of pressure. If they give way under that pressure, they can snap or break. If you’re nearby when this happens, you may hear a loud pop or bang as the door opens. Often, a snapped spring will have a visible gap between its coils. Note that a single bad spring won’t usually preclude the doors from opening and closing. It will result in symptoms that suggest something is wrong, such as excessive vibration and odd noises. Operating a snapped spring can be dangerous, so avoid using the door if you notice the issue.
Rust or Other Corrosion
Metal springs can rust, and this can happen either because of high humidity or excess moisture. Springs can be more susceptible to rust if you leave your garage doors open for long periods. It can happen even if you keep your doors shut most of the time. Perhaps the relative humidity in the garage is high, or the weatherproofing isn’t good enough and lets moisture in. Corrosion may also indicate that you haven’t adequately lubricated the springs.
If you have light rust on a spring, a garage door technician can clean it with a solvent. The technician will then relubricate the spring, which helps to avoid rust. If the rust has been there a long time or corroded the metal, you’ll need to replace the spring. If rusted springs are a reoccurring problem, they can be upgraded to galvanized steel or zinc springs.
Loose Cables
Garage doors have several cable types: lifting, safety, and emergency release. Lifting cables are an important component that works in conjunction with the springs. They help to support and balance weight when opening the garage door and holding it open. Lifting cables must have enough tension for the doors to function properly. If there’s slack, your technician may need to tighten the cable at the drum. It can also indicate that you have worn springs that can no longer support the cable tension.
Stop-and-Go Opening and Closing
You may experience abnormal movement when using your garage doors. Among the most common is jerkiness or even more exaggerated stop-and-go. This happens because automatic garage doors have safety mechanisms to prevent the doors from opening or closing too fast. Even a minor issue can cause a door speed deviation that triggers this feature. That’s what causes the door to stop suddenly and then resume moving.
Loud Noises and Excessive Vibration
Minor obstructions and small differences in balance can cause vibration. Some light vibrations when the doors are moving is normal, but heavy vibration is not. You may also notice loud or unusual sounds. That can include creaking noises directly from the springs as they wind and unwind. Spring issues can lead to sounds elsewhere as well, including the opener. In some cases, it may just mean the springs and tracks need lubrication. It can also mean a spring has stretched out, snapped, or even dislodged from its mounting.
Door Feels Heavy
If you notice excessive vibration, unusual noises, or stop-and-go motion, test the garage doors manually. Pull the emergency release cord. That will disengage the opener and allow you to lift the door manually. A common sign you have a spring problem is door heaviness. Even when using the doors manually, the springs bear weight and provide energy. When there’s a spring problem, you must bear that weight and provide that energy.
Difficulty Opening Your Garage Door
You may find that the door won’t lift because a spring or other component obstructs movement. Even if the door isn’t heavy, opening it may not feel smooth. Perhaps you can open the door but only about six inches or so. That problem is common when a spring has snapped. The range of motion it allows is now much smaller than when the spring was whole.
Can’t Rest Door at Mid-Level Position
When springs are functioning well, you should be able to stop your garage doors at the midpoint. You may do this when working in the garage to control airflow and for privacy. If there’s spring wear, the doors may not be held in that position. After stopping the doors, they’ll shift several inches or more because the springs can’t bear the weight.
Door Fails to Close Completely
With spring problems, your doors may close but not all the way. There will be a gap between the seal at the bottom of the door and the garage floor. The space may be less than an inch, but it’s enough room to let moisture and pets in. This happens because the springs cannot provide the tension needed to keep the doors flush against the ground.
Crooked Garage Doors
Door misalignment indicates one side is doing its job while the other isn’t. You may notice this shifting when the doors are moving. It may also be that your doors are crooked when closed and at rest.
Garage Door Spring Repair and Replacement in Colorado Springs
Above the Rest Garage Door Repair has specialized in garage door repair for residential and commercial clients in Colorado Springs, CO since 1990. Our expert garage door technicians are available around the clock for emergency repairs. That includes repairing openers, cables, springs, and doors that have gone off track. We replace weatherstripping and insulation. Our company provides maintenance that helps avoid those repairs and maintenance plans that make those inspections and tune-ups even cheaper. We also install all types of garage doors, including sectional and roll-up doors.
Contact Above the Rest Garage Door Repair in Colorado Springs to schedule maintenance, repair, or an on-site replacement consultation today. Don’t wait when you need garage door spring replacement! Call the pros!
