How to Deal with a Broken Spring on a Garage Door
If your garage door is not working properly, the springs just might be the culprit. While you may wonder whether a garage door spring replacement is an easy fix that you can take care of yourself, it is important to realize that repairs to the springs can actually be quite risky.
If the door is not working properly and you continue to use it, it may suffer additional damage over time. It could eventually come off the track or become detached.
There are many types of garage doors and just as many types of garage door springs, so you will need to figure out what kind of door you have and the type of device that it uses for operation.
Categories of Garage Springs
Garage doors use two main types of springs: Extension springs and torsion springs. There are multiple subcategories of each type of spring.
Extension Springs
Extension springs are placed parallel to the horizontal tracks of the door. The springs will extend and stretch as you open and close the door and will store energy as a part of that process. There are three basic types of extension springs, which include:
Clipped-End Extension Springs
Clipped-end extension springs are the strongest type of spring in this category. On average, they last the longest, too. Manufacturers use these springs for particularly heavy garage doors.
Open-Looped Extension Springs
Open-looped extension springs are weaker than others when used in garage doors. The wire on the end may snap, leading to a need to replace the whole spring.
Double-Looped Extension Springs
Double-looped extension springs have coils on the end that attach to a pulley and an eyebolt. These springs are stronger than the open-looped variety.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs will be located on a metal shaft above the garage door. The spring consists of an aluminum drum, which technicians can set to a specific tension. There are four main types of these springs, but two of them — steel-rolling and torque-master torsion springs — are most commonly used in commercial garages, rather than in residential homes.
Standard torsion springs function well when the garage door is light. Only one such spring is necessary for the door to work properly. Easy-set torsion springs are installed in a slightly different manner, but overall, they serve similar purposes to a standard torsion spring.
Torsion springs that are used for residential garages are under a great deal of pressure. Replacing these springs can be dangerous for people who lack the proper training. Because of the tension held in the spring, a mistake can potentially cause the spring to become a high-velocity projectile that can lead to severe injuries.
Garage Door Repair Experts
Hiring a professional to repair a garage door spring can save time, prevent injuries, and limit property damage. If you suspect that your garage door springs are damaged, call the trusted garage door experts at Larry Myers Garage Doors for a repair quote!