Are you having trouble getting in or out of your garage? The culprit is likely a broken garage door spring. The breaking of garage door springs is a common issue that prompts homeowners to contact their local garage door companies. Given the constant tension that these springs are subjected to, it’s not surprising that these mechanisms regularly fail.
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, 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 and 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 spring type 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 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 must 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 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?
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, it is vital to hire a licensed professional to install your springs. 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 many 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 immediately to help you replace your extension or torsion springs. We have the tools and training to complete the job safely and efficiently. For high-quality garage door springs you can rely on, contact our technicians today!
