6 min read
Garage door springs are the unsung heroes of your garage door system. These powerful components counterbalance the weight of your door.which can range from 150 to 400+ pounds.making it possible to open and close with minimal effort. Without properly functioning springs, your garage door opener would struggle to lift the door, and manual operation would be nearly impossible.
There are two main types of garage door springs:
Torsion Springs: Mounted horizontally above the door, these wind and unwind to lift and lower the door. Most modern residential doors use torsion springs due to their durability and smooth operation.
Extension Springs: Mounted on either side of the door along the horizontal tracks, these stretch and contract to provide lifting force. They're typically found in older systems or lighter doors.
One of the first signs that your springs are failing is a door that feels heavier than normal when operated manually. To test this:
1. Disconnect your automatic opener using the emergency release cord 2. Lift the door manually about halfway 3. A properly balanced door should feel relatively light and stay in position
If the door feels extremely heavy, drops when released, or is difficult to lift, your springs are likely worn or broken. This increased effort puts extra strain on your opener motor and can lead to premature failure of other components.
Inspect your torsion spring (located above the door) for visible gaps between the coils. A healthy spring has evenly spaced, tightly wound coils. When springs wear out, they can develop gaps where the metal has stretched or separated.
If you notice: - A 2-3 inch gap in the spring coils, Uneven spacing between coils, The spring appears elongated compared to its original size
These are clear indicators that the spring is failing and should be replaced before it breaks completely.
Pay attention to the sounds your garage door makes:
Squeaking or Grinding: While some noise is normal, excessive squeaking or grinding can indicate that springs are struggling or rubbing against other components.
Loud Bang: If you've heard a loud bang from your garage (like a firecracker), a spring has likely already broken. This is the sound of a torsion spring snapping under tension.a common occurrence that can happen suddenly.
Creaking Under Strain: If your door makes creaking sounds at certain points during operation, the springs may be under uneven tension or nearing failure.
A garage door should travel smoothly and evenly along its tracks. If you notice:
- One side of the door rising faster than the other, The door tilting or appearing crooked during operation, Jerky or hesitant movement, The door getting stuck at certain points
These symptoms often indicate that one spring is weaker than the other, or that a spring on one side has already broken. Continuing to operate a door in this condition can cause damage to the tracks, cables, and opener.
In the Lynnwood area, our humid Pacific Northwest climate accelerates rust formation on metal components. Inspect your springs for:
- Surface rust or discoloration, Pitting in the metal, Flaking or scaling, Reduced spring flexibility
Rust weakens the metal and significantly reduces the spring's lifespan. While light surface rust can be addressed with rust inhibitor, heavy corrosion indicates the spring should be replaced soon.
Never attempt to replace garage door springs yourself. These high-tension components store enormous amounts of energy and can cause severe injuries if mishandled. Professional technicians have the proper tools, training, and safety equipment to replace springs safely.
Risks of DIY spring replacement include: - Severe lacerations from snapping cables or springs, Crushed fingers or hands, The door falling unexpectedly, Improper installation leading to future failures
Most standard garage door springs are rated for 10,000 cycles (one cycle = one open and one close). For a typical household, this translates to:
- Light use (2 cycles/day): 13-14 years, Moderate use (4 cycles/day): 6-7 years, Heavy use (8+ cycles/day): 3-4 years
High-cycle springs (25,000-50,000 cycles) are available for homes with heavy garage door usage.
If you've identified any of these warning signs:
1. Stop using the door if it's clearly malfunctioning or making unusual noises 2. Don't attempt DIY repairs on springs, cables, or high-tension components 3. Call a professional for inspection and safe replacement
At Garage Door Lynnwood, we offer same-day spring replacement services and use high-quality springs rated for our Pacific Northwest climate. Contact us at (425) 696-6664 for a free estimate and professional service.