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.