Why Are Broken Springs Dangerous? We’ll Tell You!
Have you ever had a broken garage door spring? If so, you know that it can throw your garage door out of commission. When a garage door spring snaps, it means that the garage door is unbalanced. Garage door springs play a crucial role in balancing the weight of a garage door while it moves, which is no easy feat. Most garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds and are moved through multiple cycles a day. For garage door operation to be safe, springs must be kept in the proper condition through regular care and maintenance.
There are two types of garage door springs: torsion and extension. Torsion springs are the most popular of the two, and can usually be found on residential garage door systems. They employ a rotational force called torque, which spins to accommodate the garage door’s weight. Extension springs stretch to absorb energy. Depending on the weight and size of the garage door, springs can be installed individually or in sets of two. There are even heavy-duty springs, built to take on additional weight.
Signs Of A Broken Garage Door Spring
When a garage door spring has snapped, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs. This is important because an overhead door with a broken garage door spring should no longer be operated and the spring should not be handled. Familiarize yourself with the following signs that you may have a broken garage door spring:
- Garage door opens a couple inches before reversing.
- Garage door moves extremely slowly.
- Garage door won’t move.
- Garage door is elongated.
- Garage door spring has gaps between the coils.
- Garage door makes abnormal noises.
- Garage door slams shut.
- Garage door moves off balance.
A Garage Door Spring’s Lifespan
The average garage door torsion spring is known to last about 10,000 cycles. This is usually about 10 years, depending on how often the garage door is in use. If you want to expand the lifespan of your springs, the best approach is with garage door spring maintenance. Springs undergo excessive wear and tear due to their active role in storing energy. Most garage doors go through multiple cycles a day, which all adds to the springs’ deterioration. Through maintenance, springs are lubricated, tightened, and cleaned, which can greatly help them function better and can give them more years of use.
Are Garage Door Springs Dangerous?
The short answer is yes. Garage door springs are brimming with tension, even after they’ve snapped. This means that you have to be very careful when replacing broken garage door springs. Some homeowners may attempt DIY spring repair, but this is one service that isn’t worth the risk. It becomes very easy to be gravely injured by a garage door spring, and if done incorrectly, will compromise the safety of your garage door. This is a door repair that we highly recommend you leave to the professionals.
How to open a garage door manually with a broken spring?
If you have a broken spring, we don’t recommend attempting to lift the garage door manually. Because springs maintain the garage door’s weight, a broken spring won’t be able to assist you in lifting the door. As you attempt to manually lift a heavy garage door, you could risk injuring yourself or further damaging garage door parts. Instead, immediately schedule garage door spring replacement with a local garage door repair company.
What does a broken garage door spring look like?
A broken garage door spring will usually have a large gap between the coils, which indicates that it has broken. It may also be elongated or stretched thinly.
How much does it cost to repair a broken garage door spring?
A broken garage door spring cost may be about $100-$600. This number depends on the kind of springs you have and how many need to be replaced. The good news is that if spring replacement is done correctly, you won’t have to schedule another one for a long time!
Searching For Garage Door Spring Replacement Near You?
At The Garage Door Company, we’re proud to offer excellent spring replacement service in Edmond, Oklahoma City, Moore, Norman, and all the Oklahoma City Metro area! Our technicians are well-trained to safely handle broken springs, and we’ll be sure to get your garage door up and running smoothly again. When you need a garage door spring adjustment or garage door spring maintenance, contact us!
