Over the course of our decades of garage door service in St. George, Utah, Mehr’s Garage Doors has witnessed countless spring failures. People often need to remember these important parts until they break, leaving homeowners stuck with doors that won’t open or close.
Read on if you want to know why garage door springs break and how to keep them from doing so. Thanks to our team’s expertise in garage door repair and replacement, your garage door will work smoothly for years.
Garage door springs are the hidden stars that keep your garage running. They counterbalance the door’s weight, making it simple to open and close by hand or with an opener.
If the springs weren’t working correctly, your garage door would be too heavy to lift, which could result in injury or damage. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we know how important these springs are to the safety and comfort of your home.
Mehr’s Garage Doors has worked with two main types of garage door springs: torsion springs and extension springs. Each has its benefits and works best with certain types of garage doors.
These are the most common type of springs we install in homes in St. George. A metal shaft holds them above the garage door opening.
The door opens when the springs release, giving the door a lift. The springs store energy for the next time they are used as the door shuts. For more oversized doors, we particularly favor torsion springs because of their durability and smooth operation.
Extension Springs, also known as extension tension springs, are usually found on older or lighter garage doors. They line up with the straight tracks on either side of the door.
As a counterbalance, they stretch when the door closes and shrink when it opens. We still service many extension spring systems in the St. George area, even though they are less common in newer buildings.
We’ve found a few factors at Mehr’s Garage Doors that cause spring failure. By being aware of these and preventing premature breaking, you can extend the life of your springs.
The springs are stressed every time you open and close your garage door. Most springs will no longer work after 10,000 rounds (one cycle is open and closed). The average family can use it for 7 to 10 years. No matter how well the system is kept, regular use will eventually require spring replacement, as we frequently tell our St. George customers.
Not doing the right kind of maintenance is a common reason springs break too soon. We recommend putting grease on the springs at least twice a year to keep them from rusting and to cut down on friction. Many homeowners forget to do this easy thing, which causes the springs to wear out faster than they need to.
Because of the weather in St. George, rust and corrosion can be big problems. Springs can rust if they aren’t adequately greased and moisture is in the air. When put under stress, rusty springs are more likely to break. We always advise our customers to keep the garage well-aired to prevent moisture growth.
Significant temperature changes in Utah can damage garage door springs. When metal is cold, it shrinks; when it’s hot, it grows. This can put stress on the springs over time. When selecting and installing springs for nearby homes, our team at Mehr’s Garage Doors considers these temperature variations.
The springs may break if you use the wrong size or weight rating for your garage door. We’ve seen many do-it-yourself setups and technicians who could better use the incorrect springs. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we carefully determine the right spring size and tension for each door we service. This ensures that the door works well and lasts a long time.
Knowing the signs that your springs are about to break can help you avoid sudden breaks. Mehr’s Garage Doors takes the time to teach our St. George customers what to look out for.
If you can see gaps or stretching in the springs, it’s time to call us. This includes gaps between the coils of your torsion springs and stretching in your extension springs. These are clear signs that the springs are getting weaker and might break soon.
If your door makes squeaking, creaking, or popping sounds when it opens or closes, it could mean the springs are broken. Some noises are normal but sounds that come on quickly or get louder should be checked out by a professional.
Anytime your door feels heavy or doesn’t open evenly, it could be because the springs are losing their tension. We recommend you regularly check your door’s balance by unplugging the opener and pulling the door halfway by hand. If the springs work correctly, they should stay in place without help.
If the door won’t open or close quickly, the springs are likely broken. If they no longer provide enough counterbalance, this behavior means that they are broken. There is a safety risk here, so we treat this as an emergency at Mehr’s Garage Doors.
At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we’ve seen several different factors affect the length of garage door springs. Knowing these things can help you get the most out of your spring life.
The quality of the spring steel is crucial. Cheaper materials don’t protect against wear and corrosion as high-grade materials. This change in quality can add years to the life of your springs in St. George’s.
How often you use your garage door directly affects how long the springs last. Springs will wear out more quickly in a door used infrequently than one opened and closed frequently throughout the day. High-cycle springs are made to work more often and are recommended for homes with a lot of use.
The unique temperature of St. George is an integral part of spring life. The dry air can make things rub against each other more, and the odd wetness can help rust form. When selecting and maintaining springs for our customers, we consider these area conditions.
Heavy doors increase stress on springs. If you recently sealed your door or changed the material to something heavy, the springs might be under more stress than they were meant to handle. When the door’s weight or size changes, we always check the spring needs again.
We at Mehr’s Garage Doors think regular cleaning is the best way to keep things on track. To our St. George customers, we recommend the following essential practices:
We cannot overstate the importance of greasing your springs. A thin layer of silicone-based lube every six months can stop rust and wear significantly. An easy job can add years to the life of your springs.
Keeping your garage door system clean can help you find problems before they get too bad. We advise customers to regularly wipe down their springs and other parts and look for signs of wear or damage. This easy habit can save you a lot of money on fixes.
You can do many things yourself, but nothing beats a professional tune-up. Mehr’s Garage Doors technicians have the expertise to identify and fix problems before they get worse. We recommend that most St. George homeowners get their homes inspected once a year.
We like people who like to do things independently, but we strongly advise against doing garage door spring replacement on your own. This is why:
The garage door springs are very tense. If something goes wrong during replacement, an injury can happen. Attempted spring replacement by people who need to be more skilled has led to bad accidents. We care most about your safety.
Proper spring replacement requires specific tools that most homeowners lack. If the wrong tools are used, incorrect fitting or injury can occur. The technicians we hire have all the necessary tools and know how to use them safely.
Installing something wrong can cause many problems, from doors that don’t balance to springs that break before they should. It might even cancel your door’s guarantee. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we ensure every spring is fitted correctly to work well and last a long time.
We at Mehr’s Garage Doors believe in giving our St. George customers power by teaching them. Professional assistance is crucial, though, at certain times:
As we’ve previously stated, spring replacement is not a do-it-yourself project. Call us when your springs fail or exhibit warning signs. We have the tools, expertise, and safety measures to complete this risky job quickly and safely.
If your door feels off-balance or doesn’t open and close quickly, it needs to be adjusted by a professional. Our technicians can fine-tune the tension of your springs to ensure your door works right. This prevents both the springs and the opener from wearing out as quickly.
If you’re sick of constant spring replacement, we can help you switch to higher-quality or higher-cycle springs. In the long run, this purchase can save you money and trouble, especially for many doors you use.
For the best performance and life, choosing the correct springs is crucial. Mehr’s Garage Doors takes into account several factors, including:
We use exact measurements and math to determine what size spring and tension you need for your door. This is figured out by considering the door’s weight, height, and track radius.
While we typically favor torsion springs due to their durability, there are times when extension springs are preferable. We’ll examine your garage’s setup and recommend the best course of action.
We frequently recommend high-cycle springs for homes with frequently used garage doors. Even though they cost more at first, they can last two to four times longer than regular springs, so they are a better deal in the long run.
According to Mehr’s Garage Doors, we want to keep homes in St. George safe and valuable. Knowing why springs break and adequately caring for them can keep them from breaking down when you least expect it.
While do-it-yourself care is helpful, getting help from a professional is the best way to ensure safety and function. We are here to help our community, so rely on our expertise for all your garage door spring needs.
Most springs last between 7 and 10 years or 10,000 rounds. This can change, though, depending on how it’s used and fixed.
Due to the high tension and safety risks, we highly advise against DIY spring replacement. Call a professional whenever necessary.
Professional tune-ups, cleaning, and greasing can significantly extend spring life.
Check for holes in the springs that you can see, loud noises when the door is being used, a door that feels heavy, or a door that won’t stay open.
Most of the time, torsion springs last longer, making the door easier to open and close, especially for heavy doors. The best choice, though, will rely on how your garage door is set up.
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