Did you know that a typical garage door weighs between 130 and 400 pounds, depending on its thickness, size, and materials? Opening even the lightest garage door requires a significant amount of force. Fortunately, garage door springs counterbalance the weight of your door, making it easier to open and close. Each time you operate your garage door, its entire weight is transferred onto the spring system. This is why a broken spring can be extremely dangerous, and it's highly risky for homeowners to attempt to repair or replace springs themselves.

At Garage Door Pros WA, we prioritize your safety and aim to share information that can help prevent injuries and accidents. Keep reading to learn about garage door spring systems, how to safely identify a problem, and the dangers of DIY repairs, which we strongly discourage.

Understanding Your Garage Door's Spring System

The location of your spring system depends on the type of spring configuration your garage door has. You will either have a torsion spring or two extension springs.

Torsion Spring

This large spring is located just above the garage door.

Extension Springs

These are two to four feet long (depending on whether they’re relaxed or compressed) and are located above the upper tracks on either side.

Typically, newer garage door models have a torsion spring, which is preferable to extension springs due to being sturdier, longer-lasting, and safer.

Common Causes of Spring Failure

Springs usually break due to simple wear and tear over time. However, if your garage is particularly humid, rust can form on the spring system and decrease its lifespan (unless you have galvanized springs, which are protected from corrosion).

Lifespan of Garage Door Springs

Springs are rated for a specific number of cycles. Each time your garage door opens and closes counts as one cycle. The average spring will last 10,000 cycles, or between six and ten years. As more homes are built with attached garages, many homeowners use the garage to enter their homes, increasing the number of cycles their garage door experiences. Exceeding the cycle rating can cause tiny cracks in the spring, decreasing its lifespan.

The Risks of a Broken Spring

Springs are wound tight, storing a lot of energy. This is why only a professional garage door technician should repair a broken spring. Many accidents, including lacerations, broken wrists or fingers, and head injuries, have occurred when proper training or tools weren't used.

If your garage door uses a two-spring system and one spring breaks, the other spring will still be under considerable tension. A malfunctioning spring can also cause your garage door to slam shut unexpectedly, so never walk directly underneath your garage door. Here are additional safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

Why DIY Spring Replacement Is a Bad Idea

No. Only a professionally trained garage door technician should replace or repair garage door springs. The extreme tension these spring systems are under involves serious dangers if undertaken without the proper knowledge, tools, experience, and technique. Please leave this job to a professional.

The service technicians at Garage Door Pros WA  have extensive training in safe spring repair and replacement. You can count on us to do the job safely and effectively every time. Request a service call today!

Identifying a Broken Torsion Spring

Sometimes you can tell that your torsion spring is broken just by its appearance. For instance, you might notice a visible two-inch gap in the spring where the break occurred. Other indicators include:

• The door won’t open.
• The door closes more forcefully than usual.
• The door looks crooked when it’s closing.
• The door opens only a couple of inches and then closes again.

Identifying Broken Extension Springs

A visual check might reveal a broken extension spring, and you may see gaps in the coils. The same garage door problems mentioned above may indicate a broken extension spring. Additionally, pay attention to your garage door’s alignment. If one of the springs has failed, the garage door won’t open well on that side and will likely hang unevenly.

Preventing Spring Breakage

The best thing you can do to keep your spring system in good condition is to get your garage door inspected and maintained annually. Those in colder climates should have their door inspected and maintained twice a year for optimal performance. A service professional can spot problems with the spring system and may also apply oil or lubricant as needed. The technicians at Garage Door Pros WA  are expertly qualified to handle your garage door spring repair and perform ongoing maintenance of your garage door system. Contact one of our service professionals to learn more about our planned maintenance services.

Prioritize Safety: Contact a Qualified Technician from Garage Door Pros WA

If your springs are old, or if you suspect they’re broken, don’t hesitate to call a professional. Contact us today or call Garage Door Pros WA at (425) 200-5902 or visit our website at Garage Door Pros for expert garage door services.