Your garage door springs have a limited number of work cycles. If they start to break down, it’s important to call a professional garage door repair in Mesa AZ for help before the springs completely give out and cause a dangerous fall.
Look for the following signs that your springs need repair or replacement. These include: a crooked door, which means that one side of the springs has given out and can’t support the weight of the door anymore.
1. The Door Is Shaking or Vibrating
When a garage door shakes or vibrates, this is usually an indication that your springs have reached the end of their lifespan. It’s best to get them replaced as soon as you notice this sign, instead of waiting until they break and cause your garage door to come crashing down.
Garage door springs are designed to withstand thousands of cycles of up and down movement, but long term neglect can shorten their lifespan significantly. You can also expect extension springs to wear out faster than torsion ones, because they extend rather than twist.
Squeaking in your garage door is often a sign that your springs need lubrication. However, if the sound persists, this is a clear indicator that your springs need replacement. It’s best to leave this job to the professionals, as it can be dangerous.
2. The Door Is Closing Too Fast
In general, a garage door spring will last about 10,000 cycles, which is about the amount of time you will use your garage door in a year. Over time, however, the springs can lose their strength and may break. When this happens, it’s a good idea to call a professional right away.
To determine if your garage door springs are in danger of breaking, you can do a quick balance test. To do this, you should lift your door manually to waist height and then let go. If it drifts downward as soon as you stop pulling, this is a sign that the springs are no longer holding a charge and should be replaced. You can also keep your springs in prime condition by lubricating them with industrial non-silicone lubricant.
3. The Door Is Craking or Grinding
A garage door’s springs counterbalance the weight of the door and help it to open and close smoothly. If yours have lost their elasticity it may be time to get them lubricated. You should aim to lubricate your springs at least twice a year using an industrial non-silicone lubricant. It’s also a good idea to carry out regular balance tests on your garage door.
Torsion springs are tightly wound and if they break, they will make an extremely loud bang. If you hear one of these springs snap it’s important that you call a professional right away. If you neglect your springs for a long time they will eventually wear out and need replacement. This is also when you will start to notice obvious signs of rust and corrosion.
4. The Cables Are Frayed or Broken
Whether you have extension or torsion springs, they will experience plenty of wear and tear throughout their lifespans. Over time and thousands of opening and closing cycles the metal will begin to lose its resiliency.
This can cause the cable to break or fray. Most doors utilize either one or two cables which are wound around drums on each end of an axle over which the spring shaft rotates. This friction from winding and unwinding while holding aloft hundreds of pounds causes the cables to fray.
This is a clear sign that your garage door springs need replacement as soon as possible. Otherwise your door will soon come crashing down. This can be incredibly dangerous for you and anyone else in the area. It can also damage any items stored in the garage.
5. The Door Is Failing to Open
One of the biggest signs that your garage door springs need replacement is if it fails to open at all. A failing or broken garage door spring puts a great deal of stress on the entire system, and can cause the door to become unbalanced.
This is a safety hazard, and can lead to the door falling shut on something or someone underneath it. It is best to call a professional right away to inspect and fix the problem.
Each day, a typical household goes through a minimum of two cycles of opening and closing the garage door. Over time, these cycles will wear down your springs. If you notice that your garage door springs are starting to show signs of wear, it is best to contact a professional for spring repair or replacement immediately.