A Guide to Broken Garage Door Springs
“My garage door spring broke — what should I do?”
If you’re a Long Island homeowner with a garage, you might have to deal with broken garage door springs at some point.
Springs play a crucial role in the opening and closing of your garage door. A broken spring requires immediate attention, as it will keep the door from functioning properly and may pose a danger to people and pets.
What Are the Types of Garage Door Springs?
While there are several types of garage door springs, they all fall into one of two categories — extension and torsion:
- Extension springs: These garage door springs derive their name from the way they store energy by extending. When the door closes, it removes weight from the horizontal track and increases the tension on the spring. Opening the door then releases the built-up tension. The three extension spring versions include open looped, double looped and clipped end. Extension springs are typically less expensive, but they don’t support as much weight as torsion springs.
- Torsion springs: Torsion springs rely on torque rotation to balance the garage door. They work much like a mousetrap — raising the door releases the tension in the springs. The movement causes the shaft to turn and the reel on the spring to rotate. The cable will then wrap around the reel. Torsion spring classifications include standard, early set, steel rolling door and torque master.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?
Normal wear and tear is the primary cause of spring failure and breakage. Manufacturers design the springs to last for a specific number of cycles.
When they reach the end of their intended lifespan, the risk of breaking increases accordingly. The cold Long Island winters can also cause springs to become brittle over time.
Rust is another reason why garage door springs break, as corrosion will weaken them as it spreads.
How Do I Know If My Garage Door Spring Broke?
Several things can happen when a garage door spring breaks. You might notice:
- Disconnected cables on the ground or stuck between the door and the jamb
- The door only going up a few inches and then stopping
- A loud bang from the garage
- A gap between the springs
- A bent garage door at the top
- The pulley hanging down
- The door appearing crooked when raising or lowering
- Jerky door movement during operation
- The door falling faster than usual
- An inability to lift the door when pulling the emergency release cord
- The door feeling heavy when lifting it manually
What Is the Average Lifespan of a Garage Door Spring?
The average garage door torsion spring life expectancy at 10,000 cycles is approximately seven to nine years.
Extension springs have a shorter lifespan of around four to six years.
How Long Does It Take to Replace Broken Garage Door Springs?
A professional technician can usually replace a broken torsion spring on a garage door in under two hours.
A Better Door Co., Inc. can handle all your spring repair needs on Long Island. Contact us online or give us a call at (631) 732-9654 for more information or to get a free estimate for fixing your broken garage door springs.