Springs are subject to more wear and tear than any other part of a garage door, so it’s important to know how to care for them as well as knowing how long they should last.
How Long Garage Door Springs Should Last
Loud banging noises coming from the garage door during operation and garage doors that won’t open or shut are among the most common reasons that area homeowners call a professional for garage repair in Las Vegas. A common cause of these problems is usually in the springs. By knowing your springs, you can care for them and ensure that they’re replaced before they go.
Spring Cycles
Both torsion springs and extension springs – the two most common garage door spring types – are rated based on cycles. There’s a tremendous amount of force on these springs each time you open and close your doors. A common torsion spring will have a rating of about 10,000 cycles; a cycle is one full opening and closing of a garage door. Springs can also vary greatly in price, and that difference is usually influenced by the number of cycles that the hardware is rated for.
Replacing Regularly and All at Once
Once you know the cycle rating and you’ve estimated your garage door usage, you can figure out how long your springs should last. That information gives you the chance to replace them closer to the end of their expected life rather than after they’re worn. Be mindful that it’s usually advisable to replace pairs of springs at the same time so that there’s equal wear on both.
Balancing and Maintenance
Avoiding premature garage door repair is usually just a matter of oiling movable parts according to manufacturer recommendations, avoiding obstructions and ensuring proper spring balance. Most doors can be balance tested, and you should discontinue usage until optimal balance is achieved.
Lifetime Springs
Since springs must be replaced manually, lifetime springs are an option. You simply pay once, and the parts and labor for spring replacement are covered for the life of the current equipment. Spring replacement can also often be included in garage door service contracts. That can ease the burden on the homeowner, since he or she doesn’t have to estimate or track the expected spring life span.
