How to Tell When Your Garage Door Springs Need Maintenance
July 22, 2019
Garage doors are engineered to last for a long time, but nothing lasts forever. When components like your garage door springs begin to feel their age, the end results can quickly turn hazardous for you and your family. Worn-out springs can fail without warning, putting anyone in your door's path in harm's way.
Prevention is an essential part of garage door maintenance, but you may not recognize when your garage door springs need replacement. Read on for some signs to watch out for.
Rust Buildup
Obvious rust is a clear sign that your garage door springs are on borrowed time. Garage door springs need frequent lubrication to reduce friction and prevent the bare metal from rusting away. Galvanized springs offer added resistance against rust and corrosion, but they're not completely impervious.
You won't see rust buildup as long as your garage door receives regular maintenance. However, a few skipped visits can cause rust to settle in. Rust buildup can slowly weaken neglected springs, making them more likely to snap under tension.
Once rust takes a hold of your garage door springs, a complete replacement becomes your only viable option. However, preventive maintenance will help prevent rust from gaining a foothold on your springs or any other bare metal component. You can also opt for garage door springs with protective coatings for increased rust resistance and durability.
Odd Noises
Certain noises can also spell the end your garage door springs. As the springs become gradually fatigued due to ordinary wear and tear, they'll eventually pop, creak and moan with any movement. Poor maintenance, especially a lack of proper lubrication, can also cause the same issues.
Lubrication can help quell these noises, but it's a temporary measure that won't solve your springs' underlying issues. As with rust buildup, a complete replacement is the only way to permanently silence noisy garage door springs.
Slow Movement
A common misconception among homeowners is that the garage door opener does all the heavy lifting. In reality, it's the garage door springs that shoulder the bulk of the door's weight. Even with the garage door opener disconnected, you can still open and close the door with relative ease thanks to the springs' support.
As garage door springs grow weaker with use and age, the brunt of the door's load ends up being supported by the garage door opener. The added burden slows down the garage door opener, making it more sluggish than usual. The door itself will feel much heavier than usual if you attempt to open it manually.
Even the strongest garage door openers can face increased wear under these conditions. Left unchecked, the garage door opener's drive system may suffer a catastrophic failure. Belts, chains, and cables may break under the stress and motors can burn out, creating a potential fire hazard.
Uneven Movement
Worn garage door springs can also cause your garage door to move in ways you wouldn't expect. A partial spring failure on one side of the door can cause it to open and close unevenly, leaving behind noticeable gaps for pests and opportunistic burglars to sneak through. Uneven doors are also prone to jamming in place while opening or closing.
A broken spring can cause the garage door to jerk erratically as it opens and closes. Weak springs can even cause the door to slam shut since the spring’s tension isn’t enough to support and dampen the door. Erratic, uneven garage door movement can damage other components, including the track and roller bearings if left unaddressed.
You want your garage door to be reliable. The experts at Edelen Door & Window will address any maintenance your garage door needs to restore its functionality. Contact us today to ask any questions or to set up an appointment.
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