What You Need to Know About Broken Garage Door Springs
A garage door spring is a small but integral part of a garage door's mechanism. The point of a garage door spring is to make the door open more easily. The spring takes on the torque of the door to make it seem lighter to lift. The springs are not typically something you really need to think about until something goes wrong with them. Over time, the springs can break.
The following are some things you should know about broken garage door springs.
Why Does a Garage Door Spring Break?
Several reasons exist for why a garage door spring can break. Normal wear and tear is the most common reason. Some homeowners may not be aware that the springs will wear out. When you open and close the door several times a day, the springs can break down and eventually snap.
Exposure to the elements is another common cause of broken springs. When the springs get wet, they rust. The rust weakens the spring and reduces the amount of friction on the spring. This causes the spring to wear out faster. If you have not done regular maintenance on your springs, especially keeping them lubricated, they can wear out prematurely.
How Can You Tell if You Have a Broken Garage Door Spring?
If your garage door begins to act strangely or seems like it has problems opening and closing, you likely have a broken garage door spring.
One sign to look for is disconnected door cables. The door cables will appear as though they fly around. However, the cables are likely just fine. Your spring, however, needs replacing.
If the top of your garage door seems bent, the culprit could be a broken or malfunctioning garage door spring. When the spring is not functional, the door takes on more weight than it is meant to. When you try to raise the door without properly working springs, the door can bend under the extra weight.
You may also notice your garage door closing faster than it should. It may appear to almost fall. When the spring does not work, it cannot adequately carry the weight of the door as it closes. Therefore, the door will not move smoothly as it lowers but close quickly under the force of gravity.
Another sign of a problem with your springs is if you are unable to lift the door with the emergency rope. If you try to pull on the rope and the door will not open, chances are that you have a problem with your springs.
When Should You Replace the Garage Door Springs?
Most homeowners replace the garage door springs when they appear broken or problematic. If you want to be proactive and avoid any issues with your door, you may want to replace your springs as soon as you notice any sign of wear and tear.
The frequency of spring replacement will depend on your own circumstances. How often you open and close your garage door is the primary determining factor. Temperature and precipitation can also have an impact on the condition of your springs.
How Do You Care for Garage Door Springs?
The best prevention of broken springs is regular maintenance. You should inspect your springs at least a couple of times each year to look for any problems. Clean the springs with a damp cloth, and add some lubrication. You may want to coat the springs with a rust-preventative solution several times a year.
If you notice an issue with your garage door springs, do not try to change them yourself. This is a more dangerous job than you may realize and is best left to the professionals at Edelen Door & Window.
