How Often Should Garage Door Springs Be Replaced?

Wondering how long your garage door springs should be replaced? The lifespan and how often garage door springs should be replaced can vary depending on:

• the quality of the springs,
• how often the garage door is used, and
• how well they the garage door springs are maintained

While the most common reason garage doors springs break is general wear and tear, on average, garage door springs typically last between 7 to 9 years or approximately 10,000 cycles (one cycle is a full open and close of the door). Factors such as spring quality, climate, frequency of use, maintenance, sizing, and balancing can affect the duration of your garage door springs’ lifespan.

Garage Door Spring Repair & Replacement Near You

Do you depend on your garage door to work properly every day? You’re not alone. Many people use their garage doors more frequently than their home’s front door on a day-to-day basis. As the primary means of entering and exiting your house, your garage door can be raised and lowered multiple times each day. Even though it’s one of the most frequently used entries to your home, it’s not something you think about often. Unless it doesn’t work.

What happens when you get ready to head out for the day and you discover you can’t open your garage door? You’re running late for work or school and your car is stuck. What now? You probably have a broken garage door spring.

My Garage Door Won’t Open. What Do I Do?

You have a broken or damaged garage door spring. What do you do? If your garage door springs are damaged or broken, your garage door will not open, and you will need to replace the broken spring (or springs) to get it working again.

Your garage door spring can break at any time, and many people think replacing it is something you can do yourself. But BEWARE – unless you know what you are doing, and have the proper tools, replacing a broken garage door spring can be very dangerous – it can cause loss of limbs or worse. We always recommend contacting a professional garage door company to ensure the repair is done safely and correctly.

Garage Door Springs – A Key Element in a Working Garage Door

People often think it is the garage door opener that lifts the door, when in fact, the springs do most of the heavy lifting. Without springs, garage door openers are basically useless. Garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds and the springs are responsible for lifting them. If your garage door is not opening, chances are your spring has snapped.

If you think you have a broken garage door spring needing repair, call our service number (720) 637-2068 and we will have a trained technician out the same day (in most cases) to get that door open and working again. We use only the strongest replacement garage door springs on the market in our repairs.

Most garage doors have two springs, and when one spring breaks, is safe to assume that the other is ready to go too. As a safety precaution, and to prevent future inconvenience, we typically recommend replacing both garage door springs as quickly as possible.

What Are Garage Door Springs?

A garage door spring is a crucial component of a garage door system. It is a tightly wound coil or spring-like mechanism typically located above the garage door or on its sides. Garage door springs play a vital role in the operation of the door by counterbalancing its weight.

There are two main types of garage door springs:

• Torsion Springs: These springs are mounted horizontally above the garage door. When the door is closed, the torsion springs are wound tightly, storing mechanical energy. When you open the door, the springs unwind, releasing the stored energy to help lift the heavy door. Torsion springs are known for their durability and smoother operation.
• Extension Springs: Extension springs are typically installed on both sides of the door, running vertically above the horizontal tracks. They stretch and extend when the door is closed, providing the necessary force to lift the door when it’s opened. Extension springs are usually less expensive but can be more prone to wear and tear.

The two varieties of garage door springs look just like regular springs. They are metal coils used to raise a garage door. However, the key distinction between the two is how they work. Torsion springs achieve lift through twisting, whereas extension springs rely on expansion and compression.

Torsion springs are typically wound around a central bar positioned above the door, whereas extension springs are anchored with safety cables, usually located on both sides of the upper track.

Extension springs used to be the industry standard for most garage doors. Nowadays, torsion springs are found in most newer garage doors. When older garage doors need work or maintenance, we often recommend proactively replacing old extension springs with torsion springs.

Whichever type of spring you have, they are an essential part of the safe and efficient operation of any garage door. They help to balance the door’s weight, making it easier to open and close manually or with a garage door opener. However, because they are under a significant amount of tension, garage door springs can be dangerous when they break or malfunction, and they should only be serviced or replaced by trained professionals.

Why Did My Garage Door Springs Break?

Have you ever experienced the frustration of arriving home after a tiring day at work only to find out that your garage door isn’t functional? You may be scratching your head because the spring is broken; it is important to know why this happens so that you can avoid similar accidents in the future. Here’s how a Garage Door Springs:

• Wear and Tear: Like any moving parts, they have a limited lifespan typically measured in cycles (one cycle is a full open and close of the door). When correctly installed, these springs endure around 10,000 cycles, comprising both opening and closing actions. Over time, the constant stress of lifting and lowering the door can cause the spring to weaken and eventually break. Ideally, your springs should last between 7 to 10 years, but this duration varies depending on how often your garage door is used Notably, if your garage serves as a primary entry point, expect a notable reduction in its lifespan due to increased wear and tear.
• Rust and Corrosion: Rust and corrosion can weaken the metal of the spring, making it more susceptible to breakage. This is especially common in areas with high humidity or where road salt is used during the winter months.
• Poor Maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance, such as lubricating the springs and other moving parts, can accelerate wear and tear on the springs. Proper maintenance can prolong the lifespan of your garage door springs.
• Imbalanced Garage Door: If your garage door is not properly balanced, it can put extra strain on the garage door springs. An imbalanced door might be heavier on one side, causing one of the springs to wear out faster.
• Temperature Changes: Extreme temperature fluctuations can affect the performance of garage door springs. Cold weather can make the metal more brittle, increasing the risk of breakage.
• Incorrect Spring Size: Using the wrong size or type of spring for your specific garage door can lead to premature failure. It’s essential to install the appropriate springs that are suited for the weight and size of your door.
• DIY Repairs: Attempting to adjust or repair garage door springs without the necessary knowledge and tools can lead to improper spring size use, improper installation, damage, and breakage. It’s best to leave spring repairs and replacements to trained professionals.
• Sudden Impact or Overloading: Impact from a vehicle or an object hitting the door can cause spring damage. Additionally, trying to manually lift the door when the springs are under tension or using the door opener during a spring malfunction can overload the springs and cause them to break.

To prevent garage door spring breakage, it’s essential to schedule regular garage door maintenance, ensure proper balancing of the door, and consider replacing springs when they reach the end of their expected lifespan. If your garage door springs do break, it’s advisable to seek professional assistance for safe and proper replacement. Attempting to replace garage door springs without the necessary expertise and safety precautions can be extremely hazardous.

What Happens When Garage Door Springs Break?

When garage door springs break, it can lead to a variety of problems and potentially dangerous situations. Here are some of the common consequences and issues that can occur when garage door springs break:

• You May Hear a Loud Noise: Most of the time, even when the door doesn’t fall down, a loud crashing sound occurs when springs break. Even if you don’t see any parts or pieces of your springs on the ground, you should take a closer look at your garage door. A sudden unwinding spring may have caused the sound you heard.
• Door Becomes Heavy: When a garage door spring breaks, the door becomes extremely heavy because there is no longer a counterbalancing force. Attempting to lift or lower the door manually can be very difficult or even impossible, posing a safety risk.
• Door Won’t Open: In most cases, when a garage door spring breaks, the door will not open using the automatic opener. You may hear the opener motor running, but the door won’t move because it’s too heavy without the assistance of the springs.
• Door Closes Rapidly: If a garage door spring breaks while the door is in the open position, it can suddenly close rapidly and unexpectedly, which is incredibly dangerous to anyone or anything in its path.
• Noisy Operation: A broken spring can cause loud and unusual noises when attempting to open or close the garage door. These noises may indicate a problem with the springs.
• Uneven Door Movement: When one spring breaks and the other remains intact (if your door has two springs), the door may become unbalanced. This can result in one side of the door moving faster than the other, causing potential damage to the door and its tracks.
• You See a Gap in the Spring: This is one of the easiest ways to identify spring damage. Springs are supposed to be connected from end to end and they should also be tightly wound. If you see a gap in your spring, it is likely damaged and will need replacement.
• You See Loose Cables: When a garage door spring breaks, it often leads to more problems. Most of the time, broken springs loosen cables. If you look at the ceiling and notice hanging slack cables, you want to take a closer look at your springs.

What Do I Do if My Garage Door Springs Break?

Given the potential dangers associated with broken garage door springs, it’s critical to take immediate action when you suspect a spring has failed. Here’s what you should do:

1. Do Not Attempt Repairs: Garage door springs are under high tension and can be dangerous to work on without the proper training and equipment. It’s best to leave spring repairs to experienced professionals.
2. Disable the Opener: If you suspect a spring has broken, disconnect the garage door opener to prevent any attempt to operate the door automatically, potentially causing further damage.
3. Contact a Garage Door Repair Professional: Reach out to a qualified garage door technician to inspect the springs and perform any necessary repairs or replacements. They have the expertise and tools to safely address the issue.

When garage door springs break, it can lead to a range of problems, including difficulty in opening the door, potential safety hazards, and the risk of further damage to the door system. Promptly seeking professional assistance is essential to address the issue safely and efficiently.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Broken Garage Door Spring?

A common question that our operators receive over the phone is “How much will a broken garage door spring cost to repair?” The answer is that it depends on several factors – the size of your garage door, garage door weight, and the type of springs being used on your garage door. Typically, the cost for garage door spring replacement starts at $400 including parts and labor. Keep in mind that most garage doors have two springs. Usually, you’ll have to replace them both at the same time.

Garage Door Spring Repair Near You

Don’t attempt to repair broken garage door springs on your own, Don’s is here to help! Our experienced garage spring repair technicians are ready to get your door back in working order quickly and safely so you can get back to your everyday life. Whether you need spring repair, rollers fixed, or garage door weather stripping repair near you, contact Don’s Garage Doors today, and we’ll come to the rescue!