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Depending on construction quality, the average garage door lifespan is typically 15 to 30 years. However, it’s possible that your garage door may not be ready for a total replacement before something problematic occurs — like a broken garage door spring. What should you do if that happens? We’ve outlined steps to take below.
A torsion spring system, or extension springs, keep your garage door functioning properly. With doors weighing as much as 250 to 400 pounds, a malfunctioning spring is not just a security risk–it’s a safety risk as well.
Steps for Garage Door Spring Recovery
Recognize the signs of breakage
Your first clue is a non-functioning garage door, but there are other indicators:
- The door only goes up halfway or moves slowly when opening
- The garage door jerks as it’s going up or down, indicating that it’s unbalanced
- A loud snapping sound
- The garage door falls down too quickly
When any of these symptoms occur or a broken spring is visible, call your service technician for repair. It’s not advisable to DIY this type of repair because the door weight can cause serious personal injury and property damage.
A professional garage door specialist will determine which spring replacement systems fit your door design. Depending on your system, you may need extension springs, which are mounted on the side of the garage, or torsion springs, which are mounted above the garage door opening.
Invest in longer-life torsion springs
Whether you’re installing a new garage door or investing in repairs, ask the installers about longer life torsion springs — an upgrade that could be worth the expense. Most garage door torsion springs are made to last at least 10,000 to 15,000 cycles, considered the minimum by industry standards. With an upgrade, you could increase the life of your garage door springs to more than 100,000 cycles.
Regular Maintenance
Wear and rust are two of the main reasons garage door springs fail. While there’s not a lot you can do about wear, besides not using the garage door, you can minimize rust by applying a garage door lubricant on the spring coils once a quarter.
Early detection will help you stay ahead of trouble, so make sure to have your garage door inspected by a professional on a regular basis, especially if you frequently use the opener.
Need to schedule a garage door spring inspection? Garage Door of Indianapolis is at your service. Contact us today!