Top 5 Garage Door Horror Stories and How to Avoid Them
Garage doors are an essential part of our homes, but when they go wrong, they can create some truly horrifying scenarios. From unexpected breakdowns to terrifying accidents, these real-life garage door horror stories will have you double-checking your door’s safety. Don’t worry. While these stories are spooky, we’ll also share expert advice on how to avoid similar nightmares. 1. The Sudden Door Drop The Story: A homeowner was heading out for the day when they heard a loud crash behind them as their garage door suddenly slammed to the ground. Luckily, no one was injured, but the unexpected malfunction left their car trapped inside and the door needing emergency repair. The Problem: Broken springs or cables are usually the culprit when a garage door suddenly drops. Garage door springs are under immense tension, and when they fail, they can cause the door to fall without warning. How to Avoid It: Schedule regular inspections for your garage door springs. A professional can spot signs of wear and tear before they become a problem. Never attempt to repair or replace springs on your own—this is a job best left to the experts due to the high risk of injury. 2. The Locked-In Scenario The Story: One evening, a family returned from vacation to find their garage door opener malfunctioning. With no other way to access their home, they were locked out and forced to wait for hours for emergency locksmith services. The Problem: This horror story often stems from faulty garage door openers or dead remote batteries, making it impossible to open the door. It’s especially problematic if your garage is your primary entryway into the house. How to Avoid It: Always have a backup plan. Keep an extra remote in a secure location or opt for a keypad entry system that allows manual access with a code. Also, regularly check the batteries in your remote and inspect your garage door opener to ensure it’s functioning correctly. 3. The Garage Door Attack The Story: A homeowner was closing their garage door when it suddenly reversed and crashed into their car. The vehicle sustained significant damage, and the homeowner was left with a hefty repair bill. The Problem: Garage doors that suddenly reverse or fail to close properly are usually caused by faulty sensors. These safety sensors are designed to stop the door if something is in the way, but when they malfunction, they can cause the door to act unpredictably. How to Avoid It: Regularly test your garage door’s sensors to ensure they work as intended. You can do this by placing an object in the door’s path and securing the door reverses. If it doesn’t, have a professional inspect and replace the sensors as necessary. 4. The Stuck Door Disaster The Story: On a freezing winter morning, a homeowner attempted to open their garage door to leave for work, only to find that it was frozen shut. Despite their efforts, the door wouldn’t budge, and they had to call for professional help to thaw it out and get it moving again. The Problem: Cold weather can cause garage doors to freeze, especially if they are poorly insulated, or the tracks have accumulated ice. This can leave homeowners stranded and unable to open their garage until the door thaws or is manually freed. How to Avoid It: Proper insulation is key. Make sure your garage door is weatherproofed to prevent freezing. Regularly clear snow or ice buildup around the door, and apply lubricant to the moving parts to prevent them from sticking in cold conditions. 5. The Door That Wouldn’t Stop The Story: A homeowner’s garage door began acting erratically, opening and closing randomly. In one terrifying instance, the door closed while the homeowner was halfway underneath it, narrowly avoiding injury. The Problem: This malfunction is often caused by a misfiring remote, a faulty control panel, or even interference from nearby electronic devices. How to Avoid It: If your garage door starts behaving unpredictably, stop using it immediately and call for repairs. Check for signal interference from other devices in the area, and ensure that your remote or control panel isn’t damaged or malfunctioning. Regular maintenance can catch these issues early before they become hazardous. How to Avoid Your Own Garage Door Horror Story While these tales are scary, the truth is that regular garage door maintenance and professional inspections can prevent many of these problems. Here are some general tips to keep your garage door running smoothly and safely: Schedule Regular Maintenance: Have a professional inspect your garage door at least once a year to catch any potential issues before they become costly problems. Test Safety Features: Regularly test the door’s sensors, auto-reverse function, and emergency release to ensure they’re working properly. Lubricate Moving Parts: Apply lubricant to the door’s springs, rollers, and tracks to keep everything moving smoothly. Keep an Eye on the Opener: Monitor the performance of your garage door opener and replace it if you notice any malfunctions or delays. Don’t DIY Dangerous Repairs: If your garage door needs repairs, especially involving springs or cables, always call a professional for help. Don’t Let a Garage Door Horror Story Happen to You! At Precision Garage Door Service Las Vegas, we’ve seen our share of garage door nightmares—and we’re here to make sure your home doesn’t become the next haunted house on the block! Whether your garage door is making strange noises, stuck in place, or acting more mysterious than a Halloween ghost, our team of experts is just a call away. Ready to avoid your own garage door horror story? Contact us today for spooktacular service. Let us treat your garage door to the care it needs before things get scary!
Identifying the Common Reasons Behind Garage Door Malfunctions
Garage doors are one of the most utilized entryways in a residential home, making them vulnerable to everyday wear and tear. Due to this, functional problems are likely to occur, particularly during the summer season when power outages are frequent. In Nevada, homeowners often experience these types of issues. Below are the most common reasons why overhead doors may fail to open or close: Blocked, Dirty, or Misaligned Sensor: The sensor has been a safety feature in most garage doors since the early 1990s. If the garage door stops halfway or won’t close, it could be due to a blocked or misaligned sensor consisting of two pieces that align face-to-face across each side of the door. Lack of Power Connection: A garage door may fail to open or close due to a lack of power connection. This could be because of an unplugged power cord or severe issues like blown fuses or circuit breakers that prevent the operator from receiving power. Expired Transmitter Batteries: If the remote activation fails to open the garage door, the issue could result from a dead battery in the remote transmitter. Broken Garage Door Torsion or Extension Springs: Broken springs are the most common cause of a garage door that refuses to open even when the motor is still running. These assemblies are guided by torsion or extension springs prone to snap abruptly during door activation. Snapped Cables: The cables aligning with each tension spring are responsible for lifting and lowering the garage door. If these cables snap, the door could fall to the ground, causing significant damage and potential injury. Misadjusted Sensitivity: If your garage door doesn’t close, the sensitivity settings may be misadjusted, which can happen on newly installed garage doors or if the opener is set to a factory setting that doesn’t suit your door. Blocked Remote Signal: If the garage door doesn’t open when you press the remote, something might be obstructing the signal, or you might be out of range. Misadjusted Limit Setting: If the garage door closes only to rise back up, the limit set on the opener may be misadjusted. Misaligned Door Track: The metal tracks must be straight and even on both sides to keep the door aligned. If either track becomes slightly misaligned, it can slow the door’s movement and cause further stress on the system. Obstructions: If a door reverses upon closing, there could be something in the way that poses an obstruction. The motor has been deactivated: If the door appears stuck, it may be due to a disconnected motor. Lock mode has been inadvertently activated: Holding down the button on your keypad for too long will activate the lock mode, which prevents the door from opening. The door has been locked manually: If you hear the motor running but the door doesn’t move, you may have manually locked it. Stripped gear in the opener: Over time, the stress of daily use can wear down the gears in the opener. The keypad is out of sync: If the remote works but the keypad doesn’t, try resetting the code following the user’s manual or a troubleshooting guide. Remember that other issues, such as damaged tracks or disconnected switches, can also cause garage doors to malfunction. If you’re unsure about how to proceed, it’s best to contact a professional garage door service for assistance.
Understanding Garage Door Springs: Types, Functioning and Importance
Your garage door springs are essential components that allow your door to function correctly. With regular maintenance, they can last for many years. However, as with moving parts, wear and tear are inevitable, and you will eventually need to replace your springs. The more you use your door, the sooner you will experience signs of wear in your springs. Cleaning and lubricating your moving parts will help your springs function correctly and last longer, but they’re not indestructible. How Do Garage Door Springs Work? Your garage door springs work by expanding or turning to open your door. Some are connected to a pulley system that raises and lowers your door through cables, while others are attached to metal tubes that connect to the cable drums to open and close your door when they turn. Types of Garage Door Springs Garage doors can have extensions or torsion springs that control their opening and closing. 1. Extension Springs Extension springs store energy by stretching or extending. Typically, you can find two extension springs on either side of the door, parallel to the horizontal track. However, because extension springs require more parts for installation, you must evaluate the condition of your sheaves (the grooved wheels) and ensure no tears or cable damage. Extension springs can be further identified as: Open looped: The easiest to replace Double looped: Stronger than open loops but harder to replace Clipped ends: The most durable extension springs and the most challenging to replace. 2. Torsion Springs Torsion springs are always above your garage door and on the torsion bar above the opening. Instead of expanding, torsion springs turn to open your door and distribute the door’s weight evenly to reduce shaking as it opens. Depending on how heavy the door is and how many entries you have, you can find between one and four tension springs in your garage. Torsion springs can be classified as: Standard torsion: Heavier doors use two standard springs, while lighter doors typically only need one. Early set: These springs are located in the middle of the torsion shaft and are similar to standard torsion springs but require different hardware. Steel rolling: Typically seen in commercial buildings, professionals install steel rolling torsion springs with a torsion barrel. Torque master: The safest torsion springs because they’re inside the shaft. Torsion springs are safer than extension springs, and you can maintain your garage door more straightforwardly. While extension springs are out in the open, torsion springs are enclosed in a tube and don’t store as much energy, allowing for more use and less opportunity for damage. Importance of Garage Door Springs The extension or torsion spring is the piece capable of lifting your door. Without them, the door would be too heavy to open and slam shut when you close it. If your springs are broken or damaged, you won’t be able to open your door, and you should not attempt to open your door if the springs have broken because you could further damage your system. Garage safety is imperative to protect people, vehicles, and other objects from injury or damage during operation. Broken springs are dangerous and can cause serious injuries. Avoid using your door or entering your garage if your extension springs have broken. When these springs snap, they can cause pieces to fly through the air, injure people, or damage vehicles and other items inside the garage. Call a professional to replace your springs if you hear strange noises or notice your door closing quickly. Signs to Replace Your Garage Door Spring Determining if your garage issues result from wrong springs or another problem can be challenging. Although some parts may show similar signs of wear, your springs can be dangerous when broken. If unsure of the issue, call a professional to evaluate the cause. Here are some ways to tell if your garage door spring is terrible or broken: Lifetime: How long torsion springs should last depends on how often you open and close your door. There is no set time frame; their lifetime depends on how many cycles they perform. You should start considering replacements if you’re approaching a decade of use. Maintenance: Service moving parts in your garage about twice a year. Rust and buildup can easily affect parts and cause them to break down faster. Applying lubrication and wiping down all aspects will help keep your door moving smoothly. Misalignment: If your door seems crooked or off track, you have a misalignment issue that could result from your wrong springs. Strange sounds: Any loud banging or snapping indicates your springs are broken. You may also experience excessive squeaking. Quickly shutting: A tell-tale sign your springs are bad is if your door closes quickly. This usually implies your springs are on their last leg and can’t hold the weight of your door correctly. Not opening: A door that refuses to open could be a sign of other door issues, but it may also be because your springs are bad. Never open your door alone because that could be when they snap. Jerking: Even if the door eventually rises and falls, if you notice that it is jerking as it does, your springs are likely struggling to hold the weight. Never attempt to repair or replace your spring on your own. A professional can tell you if your garage door spring is broken and if there are any other issues. They’ll ensure safe and proper replacement and installation and advise you on keeping it in the best condition.
A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Broken Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are often overlooked until they become a visible or audible problem. However, proper maintenance and replacement are essential to their longevity. This guide provides information about preventative maintenance, repair, signs of wear and tear, typical life spans of door springs, and more. Types of Garage Door Springs Two types of garage door springs exist. Extension springs are commonly used in residential garages, while torsion springs are found in heavier-duty garage doors or commercial builds. Extension Spring Extension springs extend and stretch to provide the movement of the garage door. Generally, garage doors have two extension springs – one on each side of the gate parallel to the track. When the door is closed, they extend; when the door is open, they retract, utilizing pulleys and cables to create movement. Different cables within the extension spring style are available: double-looped and clipped ends. The double-looped extension spring is more robust but harder to replace, while the clipped-ends style excels in durability and is a smarter choice for heavier garage doors. Torsion Spring The size and weight of your garage door determine how many torsion springs are necessary to open and close the door. There are generally one or two for average garage doors, but there can be as many as four for heavier-duty ones. Torsion springs utilize torque to open and close the garage door by winding around the shaft as the door lifts and gains tension as it approaches. Steel rolling door options are found in commercial builds and used on rolling doors while having the springs encased in the torsion shaft makes the torque master the safest option for the torsion spring system. How to Know If Your Garage Door Has a Broken Spring? The garage door will start functioning strangely if it has a broken spring. It may have trouble opening and closing correctly, and you may see springs swaying if disconnected. Other signs include the garage door bending outward when you raise the door without functioning springs, the door closing faster than expected and not moving as smoothly, and nothing happening if you try to open the door with the emergency rope. Why Do Garage Door Springs Break? Garage door springs have an engineered set of cycles, and the main reason they break is due to wear and tear. The springs have a rating of about 10,000 cycles, which may seem like a lot, but it adds up quickly when considering how often you use the garage door each year. Rust and improper maintenance are other reasons for spring failure. Rust increases the friction the coils cause while expanding and retracting during cycles. At the same time, proper maintenance, including lubrication and seasonal balance checks, can help prolong the lifespan of the springs and give you insight into when they start failing. Repairing Broken Garage Door Springs: Tips and Hazards If your garage door springs need repair, it’s essential to take caution. Even though you can buy parts online or from hardware stores, fixing broken garage door springs can be dangerous. It’s best to seek professional help to replace them. Extension Springs Replacement You may have two types of springs in your garage door, each with different hazards when replacing them independently. Although extension springs may be easier to replace, there are still potential dangers. The garage door could fall on you or someone else, or you could cut yourself on the rusted metal of the springs. Buying the right size according to your garage door’s weight is crucial when purchasing extension springs. If you use a spring bigger than you need, your garage door may fly up quickly when you open it, and closing can be challenging. This issue can cause additional damage to your springs, requiring further repairs. Buying extension springs through a certified garage dealer is recommended rather than making the purchase yourself. That way, you know you have the correct-sized spring adequately suited to the weight of your door. Torsion Springs The tension that comes with torsion springs also comes with many potential hazards when attempting to replace them alone. Because the metal has so much tension, it poses a severe risk of metal flying out from a part if something snaps or breaks during the repair. Along with potential flying metal, you can get cuts from rusted metal, or the garage door could fall on someone. Professional Replacement Is the Best To circumvent potential hazards to yourself or others, you need to get professionals to repair or replace your garage door springs. Attempting to do any repairs or replacements on your own poses a risk of serious injury. Is It Safe To Open the Garage Door With a Broken Spring? It’s unsafe to open the garage door, even with an opener, if you have a broken spring. The door panels could crumble, you could strip the gears in the opener attached to the garage, the opener’s motor could burn out, the rails may bend, and parts of the opener carriage could break off as the engine works harder to open the door. There have been instances of the opener ripping itself from the ceiling, causing even more damage and other potential hazards. If a single spring is still functional, you can open your garage door, but it’s not recommended to do this frequently. The door will be challenging to open, and the risk of harm still exists. You can also use your garage opener to assist in opening the door safely if someone is trying to back their car out of the garage. Practice caution when opening your garage door to prevent damage or injury, even if one of your springs is still intact. Contact a Professional If you need to get into the garage with a broken spring, you can have someone help you lift the door; make sure you use proper precautions for your back and don’t let the door fall on your fingers or feet, and disengage the door by pulling the rope hanging from
Getting Your Garage Summer-Ready
Preparing your garage door for the upcoming season is essential as summer approaches and the winter months become a distant memory. Although garage doors are designed to last between 15 and 20 years, regular maintenance is necessary to avoid any future issues. Las Vegas’s summer heat can make garages uncomfortably hot and hazardous to combustible items stored inside, so follow these tips to ensure that your garage is ready for the season: Clean the outer door: Dust and dirt can accumulate inside your garage door, but the outer area can also become dirty due to wear and tear and the elements. Start by cleaning the inside of your garage door, and then use soap and water to scrub the outer door. Add a thin layer of car wax to both sides of the door to prevent dust buildup. If your garage door is made of wood, apply a fresh coat of paint and a water sealant to prevent rotting. If you have a steel door, sand down any rust spots and apply a zinc primer. Check for wear and tear: It’s essential to look for any signs of broken or bent hinges, rusty springs, and other hardware that needs to be tightened. If you notice frayed or worn-out cables, contact a professional to replace them. Apply lubrication: After checking for wear and tear, lubricate any moving parts, weather-stripping, and the garage door opener’s tracks. Avoid using oils like WD-40 and opt for oils specially made for garage doors. Be careful not to apply too much oil, which can attract dirt and dust. Check the bolts: Always check the bolts at the back of the track to ensure none are loose. Loose bolts can cause your garage door to fall and cause damage or injury. Check the Springs: Springs can break at any time, no matter how well they are maintained. Keeping them rust-free can extend their lifespan. If a spring does break, call a professional to replace it. Check the tension of the springs by pulling the emergency release on the door while it’s closed. If the door closes, the springs need more tension; if it flies open, they require less tension. Insulation: Proper insulation is crucial for preventing heat transfer into your garage. Consider purchasing a garage door with polystyrene or Intellicore insulation to prevent heat and cool air from escaping. Hire an experienced garage door company: Precision Overhead Garage Door Service is a reliable and professional company that provides same-day, 24-hour emergency service throughout the Las Vegas area.
Best Ways to Identify Your Garage Door Springs
Your garage door would be hopeless without its springs. Garage door springs allow garage doors to open and close smoothly. Garage doors are deceptively hefty, and the springs do most of the heavy lifting. If garage door springs are getting used every day, it is not uncommon for them to get worn out and need a replacement. When you contact a professional garage door spring replacement service, it can be very helpful to know what type of springs your door uses. Types of Springs There are two main types of garage door springs. While both types have their positives, the spring you should use will ultimately depend on what is best for your garage door. Torsion Springs Torsion springs are most common for newer garage door installations. They are located on the wall above your garage door, and they run horizontally. The spring itself is installed on a metal shaft with two aluminum drums placed on either end of the shaft. The drums carry the cable that lifts or lowers your garage door, but all of the force behind the cable pull is created from the torsion spring. When garage doors close, they coil up the torsion spring. This leads to a large buildup of tension and energy within the spring. When the garage door needs to be open, the spring releases all of this energy by unwinding and providing the garage door with the power it needs to be lifted. Extension Springs Extension springs usually come in pairs. They run along the tracks of the garage door and include cables and pulleys. Unlike torsion springs, extension springs expand when garage doors close. The taut springs release their tension when the doors open by shrinking back to their natural state. Garage Door Spring Color Coding System It is also useful to know what type of torsion or extension spring you have in your garage. Torsion springs are typically broken out into two categories: left-wind and right-wind. A left-wind spring is red and unwinds in a clockwise direction, while a right-wind spring is black and unwinds in a counterclockwise direction. It is important to know the difference between these two springs so that you know which direction to place them. Extension springs have a much more elaborate color-coding system. The color of your extension spring will indicate how much weight the spring can lift. The colors for extension springs are: Tan – 100, 200, & 300 lbs. White – 110, 210, & 310 lbs. Green – 120, 220, & 320 lbs. Yellow – 130, 230, & 330 lbs. Blue – 140 & 240 lbs. Red – 150 & 250 lbs. Brown – 160 & 260 lbs. Orange – 170 & 270 lbs. Gold – 180 & 280lbs. Light blue – 190 & 290 lbs. Take a look at the springs in your garage to determine what type of springs you currently use, and how much weight they can hold. Contact Precision Garage Doors Precision Garage Doors is the premier provider of garage door repair in Las Vegas, Boulder City, and Henderson. If you are having problems with your garage door springs, give us a call today!
What Causes Garage Door Springs to Break
Broken springs can cause your garage door not to work and put you in great danger. Understanding some of the reasons that the springs in your garage door can malfunction may prevent damage to other garage door parts and save you a lot of money in repairs. Reasons Why Garage Door Springs Malfunction The torsion springs connected to your garage door are some of the most important parts that help it lift and close properly. When your door stops working correctly, it can be difficult to pinpoint the issue, especially when it comes to the springs in the door. There are various reasons as to why garage door springs malfunction, some of which you can prevent by having your door regularly maintained. Standard Wear and Tear The most common cause for broken torsion springs and other garage door parts is standard wear and tear. These springs take brunt of the lifting for your garage door, which is why they can start to degrade rather quickly. If the torsion spring in your door has been installed correctly, it should last upwards of 8,000-10,000 cycles. A single cycle is the act of opening and closing the door. If you have a couple of cars in the garage or drive a lot, the amount of cycles you use can add up quickly. The limit of 8,000-10,000 cycles is typically used up in 1-2 years. Certain extended-use springs can last 3x as long. Improper Maintenance While the springs in your garage door will invariably break from wear and tear, poor maintenance can cause this to occur much more rapidly. In practice, maintenance should keep your springs in good condition, extending their operating life. If maintenance isn’t done well, it’s possible the issue might be overlooked, leading to a broken spring and possible damage to the garage door. Rust Buildup Another common cause of torsion spring failure is the buildup of rust. This causes more friction when the spring coils move and also weakens the metal. If rust occurs more quickly than it should, the springs in your door might not last as long, which only serves to waste your money. Spraying these springs with WD-40 several times each year should keep rust at bay. If you ever require services for garage repair in Las Vegas to address rusty springs, make sure you choose a reputable company. Heavy Garage Door If the torsion springs aren’t rated to handle your garage door’s weight, they will likely fail sooner than expected. A spring issue should be suspected if the door suddenly seems to become heavier. The springs support the door’s weight as it opens and closes, so if it’s heavier than usual or tilted, a torsion spring is likely worn out, which will lead to further damage and breakage if the spring is not replaced. Another symptom of worn springs is when the door closes faster than usual. Torsion Spring When a torsion spring on one side is worn or broken, it will put strain on the opposite spring, eventually causing it to break as well. It is important to periodically inspect the springs. If gaps develop in the coils, it means part of the spring has unwound. You should contact a professional for garage door repair right away before there’s any further damage. Incorrect Spring Used Garage door springs are sold in specific lengths and wire sizes. Using the incorrect model will not only cause your garage door to not function properly. It will also likely lead to the wrong spring failing sooner than it was designed to. Standard- to large-sized doors should have one spring on either side to split the weight load. Installing one long spring across the door is not advised unless it is an extremely small, light garage door. Contact Precision Garage Door Service of Las Vegas We replace broken springs and garage door parts for all brands of garage doors. Our live operators are available 24/7 in case you have an emergency. Las Vegas area customers can depend on us any time their garage door malfunctions or they need maintenance, tune-ups, and safety inspections. We also install new garage doors and guarantee professional, high-quality service. To request immediate repairs or get a free phone or in-home estimate, call 702-637-2700 today.
6 Warning Signs of Broken Garage Door Springs
Like most Las Vegas homeowners, you might use your garage door up to several times a day. Regular use leads to normal wear and tear. A common cause of decreased performance is worn garage door springs. This is a major safety hazard. Broken garage door springs can cause a great deal of damage and even injury. Here are six warning signs of a problem that requires professional garage door repair service. 1. Gaps in the Garage Door Spring A gap is often visible when a torsion garage door spring snaps. This gap can be several inches wide. There are usually one or two tightly wound springs; when broken, a torsion spring tends to unwind. If you see this, call a Las Vegas garage door spring repair service professional right away; attempting a DIY fix can lead to more damage. 2. Garage Door Opens Crookedly If the garage door is crooked when you open it, an extension spring may be damaged or broken. The door may even appear to be off the track. In most cases, there are extension springs on either side of the door, perpendicular to the torsion springs. When one breaks, one side of the door can’t move while the other side continues to be pulled upward. Sometimes, rather than opening crookedly, the garage door may be jerky when opening or closing. 3. Garage Door Closes Too Fast A broken spring will cause the door to be unbalanced. With its weight not supported, the door can close more quickly than usual, or it may fall to the ground. This can cause major damage to the garage door as well as any vehicle or object that may be underneath it. 4. Loud Noise and/or Excessive Noise Loud noise is common when a torsion spring breaks. The spring unwinds very quickly when it fails, causing a snapping sound that is like a loud bang. It’s often difficult to open the garage door afterwards. Also be aware of excessive noise, such as loud squeaking, which can indicate a garage door spring has broken or is about to fail. 5. Loose Garage Door Cables Loose or slack cables often mean there’s a problem with the spring. While a tightly wound torsion spring will keep the cable in place, such is not the case when the spring breaks or unwinds. There is nothing to hold the cable tight. A loose cable is therefore a sign you need tension or torsion spring repair right away. 6. Springs Appear Rusty or Stretched A failed spring may not have a wide gap most people associate this kind of problem with. Rusty garage door springs may be in poor shape and affect garage door operation. Stretched springs need to be replaced as well. If it is stretched, a garage door spring may look like it hasn’t fully coiled back up after use, making it less efficient and prone to causing problems. It’s best to call a service professional as soon as possible to replace the bad spring. Contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas A leading Las Vegas garage door service company, we can provide garage door spring installation and repair anywhere in the valley. Our live operators are available 24/7 so you can call any time about broken garage door springs. We also provide all types of garage door maintenance, repairs, and installation for every major brand and model. Precision Door Service of Las Vegas has taken careful steps to remain open during the coronavirus pandemic, such as providing no contact service, using masks and PPE, and adhering to the latest sanitization and social distancing guidelines. For prompt, professional service by highly trained garage door technicians, call us today at 702-637-2700. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
How to Find & Maintain Your Garage Door Springs
One could argue that you likely enter your home through the garage more frequently than the front door, effectively making the garage the main point of entry for your home. While manual garage doors are a thing of the past, homeowners now rely on garage door springs, garage door openers, motors and rollers to do the heavy lifting for them. Garage doors are one of the heaviest appliances and take a great deal of power to raise and lower. Since the sheer weight of your garage door can put serious wear and tear on all of the parts, it is important that you stay knowledgeable about how to locate and properly maintain all the parts of your garage door. This will help prevent your garage door from going off its track, malfunctioning and possibly having to be replaced entirely. One of the most central mechanisms and vital parts of any garage door is the torsion springs. As you can imagine, these springs are constantly under pressure, expanding and compressing, as they pull your garage door up and down. Knowing how to properly care for and maintain your garage door springs is critical to the longevity of your garage doors. How to Locate Your Garage Door Springs Now that you know how important garage door springs are, let’s explain what they look like and how to identify them. That way you can locate them when it is time to conduct your routine garage door maintenance. How to Spot a Garage Door Spring – Garage door torsion springs look like cylindrical metallic canisters that resemble a long coil. Most garage door springs are about two feet long, but never exceed four feet in length, and are almost always colored black. If you’re looking for a spring that isn’t currently mounted on a garage door, you should also know that these devices have a small circular opening on each side. This opening admits a thin rod, and it is 1/2 inch wide. Where to Find Your Garage Door Springs – You might be asking yourself, “Where are the garage door springs in my garage door?” There are two different types of garage door springs that appear in either of two places in your garage. Torsion springs, the most common, are fastened just above the garage door when it is in a closed position. The other is extension springs and are located on both sides of the garage door above the upper tracks. Why Garage Door Springs Malfunction Your garage door goes through significant strain every time it is willed up and down again. That is why it is so important to maintain all of the parts in your garage door so that it can work properly for years to come. Here are some common reasons your garage door may start to act strangely or malfunction. All of these are easily prevented by conducting regular home maintenance. Standard Wear & Tear – The most common reason garage doors malfunction is due to a broken torsion spring from yearly wear and tear. Garage door springs take the brunt of the heavy lifting, which leads to them degrading over time. If installed correctly, a garage door spring should last up to 10,000 cycles before it needs to be replaced. Kind of like a rubber band that has been stretched one too many times. They are bound to wear out, but you can take measures to help them last longer. There are some high-quality, extended-use garage door springs that are more durable and have a longer life expectancy. Poor Maintenance – Again, it comes down to maintenance. Aside from wear and tear, poor maintenance can cause your garage door springs to malfunction. When you properly tend to your torsion springs, it can extend their life. Overlooking and neglecting your garage door springs can lead to them breaking and possibly damaging your garage door. Rust Buildup – This is an inevitability as time goes on, especially in certain climates or homes located next to a body of saltwater. Regularly spraying your garage door springs with substances like WD-40 should keep the rust from building up and protect your garage door springs from the elements. How to Maintain Your Garage Door Springs Your garage door should absolutely be on the shortlist of quarterly or yearly home maintenance tasks. When it comes time to conduct maintenance on your garage door, you’ll need a few things to get the job done. What Tools You Will Need – You’ll need a sturdy ladder, a file used for metal grinding or hard surfaces, and a can of WD-40 or an anti-rust or mechanical lubricant product. Disconnect Garage Door Opener – Make sure there is no power running to your garage door opener. Refer to your manual to find out the easiest and safest way to unplug your garage door opener, remove the battery or turn it off. Again, referring to your manual, detach the garage door opener from the opening mechanism. Go in for a Closer Look – Time to bust out the ladder and sturdy it near the garage door opener’s shaft. You can spot it at the top of the garage door and there is a long bar that has springs wrapped around it, with brackets at either side. Inspect this bar to see that the shaft is rotating smoothly. If it isn’t, it may be best to call a professional garage door technician to properly fix this issue. Check Mounting Bracket – You will be able to find this bracket where the torsion springs are bolted together. Again check to see that the mounting bracket is secure and that the torsion shaft rotates with ease. If you notice any corrosion, grime or build-up, use a file to smooth it out. Lube Your Garage Door Springs – If you have done the above steps and everything seems in good working order, it is time to properly lubricate your garage door springs. This is something that you should try to
What Are the Strange Noises Coming from My Garage Door?
Garage doors have a way of letting us know something is wrong. A little noise may not be something urgent to worry about. But keep in mind garage doors and their components wear over time, so taking a strange noise seriously can save trouble later. You can narrow down the list of potential problems by listening to how your garage door sounds. Loud Thumps or Clunks Clunks, thumps, and even booms when the door opens and closes often signal a garage door opener problem. The noise may be caused by the opener struggling to lift and lower the door. Oftentimes this is due to a broken torsion spring. You can safely check the spring while the door is closed; if it has broken into two pieces, a repair technician should replace the spring to restore your garage door’s function. Clinking Hearing a “clink, clink, clink” while your garage door is operating can mean different things. Most often, it’s from the spring coils rubbing against one another after they dry out and develop rust. This is something to look for in a cool, humid garage. A defective roller can make a clinking sound as well; if so, it is nearing the end of its life and may fall off if not repaired or replaced soon. Squeaking A squeak is a much sharper sound than a clink. The door will squeak constantly when it opens and closes, meaning its PVC components are not properly lubricated. To fix the problem, apply lubrication to the weather stripping on the exterior frame and between each garage door section. Grinding Metallic grinding sounds often involve an electric garage door opener’s chain or belt. The grinding is often due to a loose chain/belt or one that should be adjusted by a professional. A chain or belt problem can cause the opener to work harder than normal. It can also affect the gear pinions, which may skip links as a result of the issue. Determine the Source of the Noise As we know, garage doors make noise for a reason. The issue might not be that serious if metal parts need to be lubricated. You can do this yourself applying a petroleum-based oil to rollers, hinges, and springs that are in working condition. Silicone-based lubricants can be used for weather stripping. But if you notice a broken spring, it is a serious matter. Operating a garage door with a broken spring can lead to more catastrophic damage to the system, your vehicle, or belongings stored in your garage, as well as serious injuries. The springs, and the lifting mechanism, are under high tension so if a spring breaks off, pieces can be flung at high velocities. Never change a broken spring yourself. Call a garage door repair professional to address the problem with the appropriate equipment. They are experienced in these types of matters and can fix the issue quickly while avoiding serious dangers. Call Precision Garage Door Service of Las Vegas to Address Garage Door Noise Our commitment to provide fast and effective service in Las Vegas is backed by the expertise of a nationwide organization. We can repair any brand of garage door opener and fix broken springs, cables, and rollers or off-track doors. Live operators are available 24/7 and we guarantee 2-hour service, with no overtime charges for night or weekend service calls. We also stock high-quality parts in our trucks for when immediate replacements are needed. If your garage door is making noise, call us at 702-553-4621 today! [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]