Identifying Garage Door Spring Issues

If you have garage door spring issues then they should be addressed as quickly as possible. Not everyone knows how their garage door functions, which is why they likely do not even know that they have a problem with their springs. At Tucker Garage Door, LLC in Tucker, GA, we can tell you with certainty whether or not you have a problem with your springs. A qualified garage door technician will be able to help you determine the exact cause of your problem. There are specific things that must be done to keep your garage door springs in good condition, especially if you want to continue using them. The one thing that you should make sure of is that your garage door springs are in good working condition. Instead of trying to watch YouTube videos to determine how to repair your garage door springs, they may not tell you all that you need to know. The videos do not usually tell you all that you need to know. It isn’t to say that their intentions were not good but they could be doing more harm than good. This is why it is in your best interest to rely on the services of a qualified professional to evaluate your garage door springs and make the needed repairs.

How Garage Door Springs Operate

Your garage door springs are made of metal and they are designed to do all the lifting. The garage door is very heavy and this is why strong and sturdy springs are necessary. Your garage door opener operates your door, however, it is the springs that will hold the door up so that you can move your vehicle in and out without a problem. Your garage door springs come in torsion or extension.

With the help of a garage door technician, they will be able to install your garage door springs, no matter which type you use. The springs are installed either horizontally above the door or parallel, along the track. Every set of springs has a life cycle. The torsion springs life cycle is generally 10,000 cycles. They are definitely made to last. The extension springs are generally found on older homes and surprisingly, they last even longer than the torsion springs. They are designed with hardened steel and can withstand the amount of use they experience. When you are not having your springs serviced on a regular basis and do not know their condition, you risk the possibility of your springs breaking. This can be very dangerous. All that you need is one bad spring to bring the door down on top of whatever is in its path. Don’t take unnecessary chances. Call on the services of a professional garage door company and allow them to take care of the maintenance of your garage door. When they handle your garage door maintenance, one of their primary concerns is the condition of your garage door springs. If they determine that there is a problem, they will fix the problem right away.

Should You Make It A DIY Project

If you are the type that enjoys a DIY project then you may consider handling your spring repairs yourself.  When you need springs repaired or installed then allow a qualified professional handle this for you. You can rely on someone with experience only if they have received the necessary training to work with garage door springs and have the proven experience. Working with garage door springs is very dangerous due to the amount of tension that they hld. If the tension of the springs is not correctly handled then this could cause great harm to you and others. If your garage door springs snap while you are trying to make repairs or install new ones this could cost you your life. That is just how serious handling garage door springs can be. However, we never recommend that you take unnecessary chances with your safety and security. Yet, if you still want to evaluate them yourself then this is what you should do.

Check the Following

There is an easy way for you to check the condition of your springs. Lower your garage door and disconnect the garage door opener. Do this just by pulling down on the release lever. Consult with a garage door professional or the owner’s manual, if you aren’t aware of where the release lever is located. After you have properly disconnected the garage door opener, attempt to lower and lift the door manually. If it is moving slow and it doesn’t take too much effort to lower and lift it, they are in good condition. However, on the other hand, if you are having trouble opening and closing the door again, the springs have to be balanced.

Damaged Springs

Try opening your garage door again. Is it falling down as soon as it lifts up? Does it make a loud noise when you open it? Did your door come off the ground 6 to 8 inches and just stop? If you notice any of these problems there is definitely a problem with the springs of your garage door. These are all indications of that. If you’re hearing unusual sounds, it won’t open and close like it used to, this means that your garage door springs are not in good condition and should be serviced immediately!

If your garage door is opening at an angle, you likely have a broken spring. This means that the other side of your springs are trying to compensate and causing it to open at an angle. If the door is jerking when you try to open it, this is another indication that you have a broken spring. All of these are serious issues and shouldn’t be ignored.