Springs, cables, and other key parts work hard to ensure your garage door works properly every time you open or close it. And eventually, all that use starts to show as components wear out and break down. Knowing when you should replace garage door springs is important since this part works to ensure the garage door opens and closes properly.
Signs of a Broken Spring: When To Replace Garage Door Springs
Spotting the signs that a spring is starting to go gives you a better idea of when to call an expert to repair the door. Common symptoms of a broken spring include:
- Strange sounds when opening or closing the door
- The door slammed shut
- The garage door appearing unbalanced
None of these things are normal, so you should call a repair company as soon as possible if they occur. Chances are, one of the springs that helped suspend the door broke, and a simple replacement will end these issues.
When To Replace Your Spring
So, how often should you replace your garage door spring? Knowing when to replace the springs is a bit like knowing when you need to get an oil change for your car—time or usage. When it comes to your garage door springs, most experts recommend making a replacement after 10,000 cycles or every few years.
If you don’t use the garage door often, the springs could last for nearly 10 years. On the other hand, if you open and close the garage multiple times daily, you may need to replace the springs in a few years. In the end, it all comes down to how often you use the door.
Preventing Damage
You can prevent some damage by maintaining your door and lubricating the tracks twice per year. This helps reduce friction as the springs and other key components lift and suspend the door.
Tips for Finding a Repair Company
Although maintaining the garage door decreases the need for frequent repairs, everything wears out eventually. When searching for a company to repair your garage door, search for
- Companies with certifications
- Recent customer reviews
- Who’s in the area
- Company reputation
- Repair prices
As you search, consider talking to friends, family, and neighbors to see if they know of anyone. You should contact several companies for bids. You may find one company doesn’t answer many of your questions and uses poor parts. And you may also find a company that charges a fair price, uses quality parts, and puts all your concerns to rest.
Contact us for replacing a garage door spring
How Often To Replace Garage Door Spring?
Garage door springs typically last for 7 to 10 years depending on the usage. The lifespan is also measured in cycles; one cycle equals one open and close. The torsion spring generally lasts about 10,000 cycles and spring extension may last 5,000-10,000 cycles. Garage door operation numbers can impact the time. Usually garage door springs need to be replaced every 4-6 years.
Signs it’s time for replacement include
- Your garage door is opening slowly or unevenly.
- Difficulty lifting the door manually.
- You can find the visible gap in the spring.
Replacing just one spring isn’t advised, as it leads to imbalances. If one breaks, the other one is likely to close and fail too. The spring replacement is not a simple DIY job. Springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury. For better results, always contact professional technicians like Steel City Garde Doors and have a clear quotation.
How Long Should Garage Door Springs Last?
Garage door springs typically last 7 to 10 years. But the period is entirely dependent on the type and frequency of utilization. The lifespan is measured in the cycle, with a single cycle being one full open and close.
Torsion Springs: This type of spring can last around 10,000 cycles, which is approximately 8-12 years.
Extension Springs: Usually can last up to 5,000–10,000 cycles, 5–8 years on average.
This is a rough measurement, but if you frequently open and close the door multiple times in a day, your spring may wear out much sooner, sometimes in as little as 4-6 years.
Factors that affect spring longevity include
- Spring frequency to use
- Spring quality
- Climate and moisture exposures
- Regular maintenance
The first sign of garage door springs wearing out is that your door will become heavy and unbalanced or difficult to lift. The sudden sound of a snapped spring is an indication of spring breakage.
FAQs
Most garage door springs last seven to 10 years, depending on the usage. If your door is used frequently, it will need spring replacements for the garage door.
Most garage door springs last 7 to 10 years, depending on the usage. If your door is used frequently, more than 4 cycles per day, replacement may be required sooner; it is around every 4-6 years.
The most common sign of garage door failure is the door feeling heavy, opening unevenly, making loud noises and failing to stay open. You may also see the visible gap between the torsion spring if it is broken.
Yes, it’s possible to change the single spring but it is not recommended. If one spring breaks off, the other is likely close to wearing out. Replacing both will ensure the balance operations and also prevent future breakdowns.
Torsion springs are mounted above the door and provide a smooth and safe operation.
Extension springs can run along the sides and stretch to lift the door. Torsion springs are much more durable and commonly used in modern systems.
