Are you having trouble getting in or out of your garage? The culprit is likely a broken garage door spring. Garage door springs breaking is one of the most common problems homeowners call their local garage door companies about. When you consider the amount of tension these springs are under day in and day out, it’s not surprising these mechanisms give out on a regular basis.
The good news is that you can do a few things to help prevent premature spring failure. The first is familiarizing yourself with the reasons garage door springs break in the first place. Next, let’s look at why springs snap and how you can avoid the need for garage door tension spring replacement services for as long as possible.
Garage Door Springs Fail Due to Normal Wear and Tear
Think about how many times you open and close your garage door daily. This number should include the times you use the door to move your car as well as the times you open and close it to take the trash out, walk the dog, get the mail, and walk with your kids to the neighbor’s house. When you add it all up, it’s clear your garage door sees a great deal of action.
The average garage door spring is designed to withstand 10,000 cycles, with one cycle being a full opening and closing of the door. This type of spring will only last you about seven years if you use your garage door around four times a day. While these springs will certainly get the job done, you can delay the need for a replacement (and, therefore, save money!) by installing springs that last 25,000 to 50,000 cycles. Ask your local garage door contractor about these high-cycle springs to avoid the number one reason garage door springs break — frequent use!
Your Spring May Have Rusted
Rust is never a good sign when it comes to your garage door. When your springs start to develop rust, the steel corrodes and becomes brittle and weak. As they constantly coil and uncoil, the stress will eventually cause the springs to snap. Once this happens, you won’t even be able to operate your door manually.
To prevent the accumulation of rust on your garage door springs, you must first install quality springs that can withstand the moisture and humidity in the air. Then, you will need to spray the springs with a silicone-based lubricant about four times a year to prevent premature failure.
Neglecting Maintenance Can Cause Springs to Break Prematurely
As much as we would like our garage door systems to be a “set it and forget it” sort of deal, this is simply not the case. As we mentioned earlier, it’s good practice to lubricate the springs at least four times a year to prevent rust and extend their life expectancy. In addition to lubricating the springs, you should schedule professional tune-ups.
Proper maintenance keeps your garage door springs in excellent condition and catches minor issues before they become full-blown problems. Wouldn’t you rather invest in yearly maintenance than lose access to your garage for hours or days on end?
Your Garage Door Spring May Have Been Installed Improperly
Another reason garage door springs break is because the wrong spring was installed. Springs can work within 5% of their calibration, so you can still use your garage door even if the wrong spring is used. However, over time, the spring will wear down and eventually give out due to the stress of the heavy door.
To prevent the untimely failure of your garage door spring system, hiring a licensed professional to install your springs is vital. At M&M Garage Doors, we understand the intricate nature of garage door springs and can ensure the correct one is installed in your garage.
Trust M&M Garage Doors With Your Spring Repairs!
While garage door springs can break for any number of reasons, you don’t have to stress over the possibility of yours breaking! At M&M Garage Doors, our experienced garage door repair technicians in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas are ready at a moment’s notice to help you replace your extension or torsion springs. We have the tools and training necessary to complete the job safely and efficiently. For high-quality garage door springs you can rely on, contact our technicians today!
