There are a few components that play a major role in garage door operations, and springs are some of the most important to be aware of as a home or building owner. Springs are a central part of your system playing a key part in ensuring balance and related elements. Knowing how they work and how to care for them in simple ways can help your garage door stay in great shape for years.
At Accent Garage Doors we’re proud to offer a comprehensive range of garage door services to Salt Lake City clients including garage door repair, replacement, and assistance with all your door opener needs as well. We’re happy to detail any of your garage door components so you understand how they work. Here are some basics on what garage door springs do, the different types out there, their expected lifespan and what you can do to help them last as long as possible.
What Are Garage Door Springs?
For those who are unfamiliar with what these components do, springs are coiled pieces of metal that help balance and offset the weight of a garage door. They’re mounted on two tracks along the walls of your garage and work to wind up or unwind as you open or close them, respectively.
This happens via a pulley system that attaches to the springs and is connected to your automatic garage door opener. When you click the button, electricity runs through this system causing either action to occur as needed.
This winding plays a key role in balancing the door’s weight and allowing it to move with ease. Without this tension, the weight of the door would be too much for you or any openers to lift and lower on their own.
Types Of Springs
There are two primary types of garage door springs, but there also may be sub-categories worth considering within each. Here are the basics:
- Extension springs: Generally located above horizontal tracks or along the side of the door, these are designed to extend lengthwise when the door is opened or closed. Extension springs come in both sectional and one-piece varieties, with the latter featuring one long spring.
- Torsion springs: This type is usually located near the center of your garage door, and they twist when opened or closed. Torsion springs come in two varieties – roll-up or steel rolling, both of which are typically used in combination with sectional doors.
Many residential properties will utilize extension springs for their garage needs, while torsion springs are more common in commercial settings. Whichever type of spring you have installed, it’s important to understand their lifespan and any maintenance needs they may require.
Lifespan Expectations and Maintenance Themes
With the right basic upkeep and maintenance, today’s garage door springs should last for around 10,000 cycles – that means when the door is opened and closed 10,000 times. Of course, this may vary depending on the quality of your springs, how well you care for them, and other factors.
To help extend their life as much as possible, there are several basic maintenance areas to think about periodically:
- Cleaning the area: Any debris or dirt around the springs can interfere with their movement and cause damage over time, so remove any of this content as needed.
- Checking tension: An experienced technician should check your springs periodically to ensure that they’re at the right tension level for optimal performance.
- Lubricating the area: Lubricating the tracks, pulley wheel, and other related components in your door’s system can help keep things running smoothly.
- Replace any broken parts: If a spring is broken, it’s time to call in a technician to get it replaced as soon as possible.
- Repair leaks: If you’ve begun to notice air leaks in your garage, these may lead to increases in humidity – which in turn could lead to rust on springs and other components. Ensuring you have proper insulation and air-sealing can help here.
- Schedule professional maintenance: Once every few years or so, it can be a good idea to have a technician come in and perform more thorough maintenance tasks such as safety tests, checking the balance of your door, lubricating parts, and inspecting other components.
Possible Signs of Worn-Down Springs
In most cases, garage door springs will start to show some signs if they’re wearing down or aren’t working properly. These include:
- Loud sounds: If you hear any creaking, popping, or grinding noises when your door is opening/closing, this could point to worn-down springs.
- Slow operation: If the door takes longer than usual to open and close, it might be a sign that the springs need attention.
- Visible signs of damage: Look for any visible signs of wear-and-tear around the springs themselves, such as cracks or rust.
- Door slamming open or shut: If your door slams when opened or closed, this could also be a sign of faulty springs.
- Gaps in springs: Another sign of wear-and-tear could be gaps appearing between coils in the springs.
If you observe any of these signs, it’s important to call a professional technician for help as soon as possible. This way, any issues can be detected and resolved quickly before your system becomes more damaged or dangerous.
For more on garage door springs, or to learn about any of our garage door installation or repair services for SLC clients, speak to our team at Accent Garage Doors today.
