Daylight savings time is here. That means longer days, melting snow, and the coming of spring. For many, it’s also time for spring cleaning, including the garage. They rearrange the snow blower with the lawn mower and get out the bats, balls, and toys for outdoor activities.
Overhead garage doors add convenience to our busy, always on the go lifestyle. However, when they aren’t working correctly, it can cause an immediate disruption to our routine and safety concerns. Broken garage door springs are one of the most common garage door issues we see here at Joe Wilde Company.
There are two types of garage door springs. Torsion springs hang on a shaft, usually at the top of the door opening. The Torsion springs wind up as the garage door closes. Extension springs run along the upper left and right door tracks. These Extension springs stretch when the door lowers.
Despite the commonality of broken garage door springs, the springs are a well-manufactured part. Garage springs are designed to work hard, often. These pieces are under constant pressure when opening and closing the garage door. Given the amount of work they do, their life span is shorter than the rest of your garage door system.
Over Time, Garage Door Springs Age and May Corrode
Combined with normal wear and tear, and the quality of your springs, leads to broken garage door springs. Broken garage door springs don’t necessarily mean you need to replace your entire overhead unit.
Time is of the essence when repairing a broken garage door spring. By replacing the necessary parts quickly, you limit the damage done to other sections of your door. We will walk you thru 3 signs you have a broken garage door spring.
1. Your Garage Door Won’t Open All the Way
A little troubleshooting can often solve this problem. Check the photo-eye near the bottom of your door for dust and debris. Make sure your power source is working correctly. If neither of these is the problem, you may have a broken spring. To help determine if this is the issue, open your door manually. Doors will not stay open with a damaged or split spring.
2. Door Slams Down Quickly
Torsion springs balance the weight of your garage door, preventing it from closing too quickly. When springs malfunction, there is not enough resistance. Speed cannot be controlled without this resistance. If not working correctly, this is a significant safety hazard, especially for households with small children or pets.
3. Appearance Changes in Springs
It is not uncommon for torsion and extension springs to split, snap, stretch or rust. Regular inspection can help you catch any of these problems early on. In the course of everyday use, springs expand and contract. Over time, the elasticity weakens, preventing the spring from returning to its original state. If you see a gap, the spring has snapped. Rust and corrosive build up will eventually lead to an inoperable spring.
If you experience any of these signs, contact a garage repair professional. Do not continue to use your garage door until a repairman has assessed your concern. Reduce the risk of injury or property damage by promptly scheduling service.
At Joe Wilde Company, our Joe Wilde service technicians average over 34 years on the job. We service ALL BRANDS and keep fully stocked trucks! For any service or installation questions, contact us!