Why Broken Garage Door Springs Can Be Dangerous

Springs aid in the smooth and easy operation of a garage door. A broken or failed garage door spring is a serious safety hazard. On average, a spring is built to last seven to nine years or 10,000 cycles if it operates at four cycles a day. You can find high-cycle springs in the market that can last for 18,000 to 25,000 cycles. A garage door is a heavy accessory, and the springs remain under constant pressure whenever it operates. If the spring fails or breaks suddenly, it causes the door to come slamming down and can lead to severe injury to anyone standing near it.

Why do garage door springs fail?

Wear and tear due to constant winding and unwinding is the most common reason garage door springs fail. Once it reaches the end of its life cycle, there is a grave danger of it coming apart. Springs can also fail due to rust and corrosion (except for galvanized springs) that cause the metal to deteriorate over time. It is mostly attributed to a lack of maintenance by the homeowner. Lubricating the springs every 3-4 months can solve this issue.

Torsion and extension springs are the two types of garage door springs, and both of them are dependent on tension for smooth operation. Most modern garage doors use a torsion spring system as it is considered sturdier, more durable, and safer than extension springs.

For garage doors using a two-spring system, there will be added pressure on the remaining spring if one breaks. Due to this added pressure, there are increased chances that it will also eventually break down, causing catastrophic failure of the whole system.

Who should replace a broken spring?

With so many resources at our disposal due to the internet revolution, many homeowners might attempt DIY spring replacement. But it can be dangerous for untrained people to carry out repairs as it has caused severe injuries to homeowners in the past. A broken garage door spring repair and replacement is a task that should strictly be undertaken by a garage door expert. They are suitably trained and have the experience to perform the job effectively and efficiently and carry the right tools with them. Many are not aware of the complexities of a garage door’s operation and can do more harm than good, so it is a task better left to the experts.

What if a spring breaks?

When you suspect a spring failure, it is best to leave the garage door closed and call a garage door technician for emergency repairs.

Ways to prevent sudden spring failure

Here are a few tips to protect garage door spring from damage:

Broken garage door springs can be hazardous. If you suspect the springs are old, broken, or damaged, contact a licensed garage door technician for spring repair and replacement service.

An Overview of Garage Door Torsion Springs

We’re a busy society, and it seems that the demand for our attention beckons from every corner. However, not everything that needs attention is so noisy. In your garage, the garage door springs may be quietly deteriorating. The result is a worn out, corroded garage door spring which is in desperate need of replacing before it breaks.

Don’t wait for the break

It’s hazardous to wait until a garage door spring breaks before replacing them. There are several reasons for this: the inconvenience of having a spring break when you least expect it means your garage door won’t work. It’s the equivalent of a dead battery or flat tire on your car. But, there’s another reason, too, which is a safety issue.

Danger

The torsion spring is the one above the door, and it’s also the one which is the muscle behind the garage door. Once a torsion spring breaks, the garage door opener won’t work. Not only that but if you try to use it anyway, it will result in further damage to the opener.

Remember, a typical garage door weighs around two hundred pounds. That is a lot of weight to be messing with when a torsion spring breaks, so it’s no wonder that spring damage can cause more damage.

A torsion spring isn’t a typical homeowner repair, no matter what the guy (who makes money on that video) posts on YouTube.

But I just moved here! How to know when to replace springs?

Let’s say you moved into your house a few years ago, so you don’t know how old the garage door is. Maybe you’ve maintained it off and on in a somewhat regular or sporadic fashion.

One thing you can do is to look at the garage door and garage door torsion springs. If they look corroded, rusted, or compromised in any way, it’s best to call a pro for a second opinion. Look for a separation of the springs, a stretched-out look, or a broken cable.

Also, check out the sounds the garage door makes when you open it. If the spring made a sound like a gun going off, it was the spring breaking. If the garage door opener is noisy, grinding, shrieking, or rumbling, schedule an appointment with a quality garage door maintenance and repair service. When they come out to do the service, ask them if the springs need replacement.

Replacing the door springs when they become worn but before one of them breaks can save a homeowner the hassle and danger of having to deal with a broken garage door spring. If you have any questions, call us. We’d love to hear from you.

Arizona Garage Door & Repair offers professional, affordable garage door tune-up, repair, and replacement services for Phoenix Valley area residents. Same day and emergency service! Call 602-600-6069 today!

Common Garage Door Problems Explained

common garage door problems
Image courtesy of Pixabay

Your garage door often provides convenient entrance to your home, and as such is used four times or more per day, which implies that you trust it to function optimally. That is until it doesn’t!

If you want to trust your garage door to remain free from any of the following issues, which can unfortunately cause a host of problems – from insect infiltration to security concerns, regular preventive maintenance including monthly visual inspections should be conducted.

Today, we’re sharing the 5 most common garage door issues, and explaining the importance of having each issue repaired in a timely manner in order to ensure your personal safety and security.

Problem #1: Broken Garage Door Springs

When your springs snap, break or begin to sag, your garage door will not be operational. The number one reason for spring failure is simple wear and tear. Garage door springs, like most any household item, have a limited lifespan. Most springs are rated for 10,000 cycles. The number of years these cycles will last you, depend on the weight of your door, and how many times the door is opened and closed. Once the springs have reached their lifespan, one or both may break, thus causing the door to stop operating.

While springs typically break while the door is in the down position, as this is where most of the tension is, they may also break while the door is in motion or in its raised position. Ensuring the professional replacement of springs is vitally important! Replacing a broken garage door spring can be a very dangerous undertaking. This is why we caution homeowners NOT to attempt DIY replacement.

Problem #2. Broken Garage Door Cables

In a non-damaged state, cables provide smooth, efficient operation for your garage door. Most cables are attached from the drum located near the top of the door to the bottom section of the door. These cables hold the door’s weight as the garage door moves upward and downward. The most common reason for their breakage is normal wear and tear.

Like springs, once the cables break, the door will not be operational. When faced with a broken garage door cable you should refrain from operating the door until the cables have been replaced by a professional. You should also refrain from attempting to force the door open as this can create further damage and pose significant risk to your personal safety.

Problem #3. Bent Garage Door Tracks

Your door’s tracks play an essential role in helping it to open and close smoothly. If one of the tracks gets out of alignment or becomes bent, the problem needs to be addressed before any further damage occurs, which can also lead to their need for replacement. Bent or misaligned tracks are often the result of a severe door malfunction, worn parts or human error (i.e. a car backing up into the door).

If your tracks are simply bent, you can attempt to knock them gently back into shape, using a soft mallet. Of course, if you’re not comfortable doing this, then by all means contact a professional. Just be careful not to use your door until the tracks have been repaired as your door will be unbalanced.

Problem #4. Misaligned Safety Sensors

All garage door openers manufactured on or after January 1, 1993 should be equipped with photo safety sensors. Safety sensors can be found on both sides of the garage door opening about six inches off the floor. They are designed to automatically stop and reverse the door should a person or object interrupt its beam. If the safety sensors aren’t working, neither will the remote control or touchpad.

To ensure optimal functioning of your sensors, you will want to check to ensure that the LEDs on each unit are lit up. A problem exists if the light is off or its flashing repeatedly. Gently clean the lens with a soft dry cloth, check the wires attached to the sensor for loose connections, and try realigning them by hand. If they still don’t work, there may be a bigger issue at hand, and you should contact a local service provider.

Broken Garage Door Springs: What You Need to Know

broken garage door spring replacement

The garage door spring dies some time during its 10,000th operation. Typically while the door is closed. However, this is not to say that it won’t break while the door is open, or during operation. 10,000! That is the average number of cycles you can expect the average spring, whether torsion or extension, to last. In an active family, where the garage door is opened and closed four times per day, the springs will resist breaking for five to seven years.

There are two types of springs used on today’s garage doors: The torsion springs, which are located above the door, and the extension springs which are located on either side of the door. Extension springs are installed in pairs, whereas, torsion springs can be installed singly or in pairs. When one of these springs breaks, you are stuck – literally, until you can get it professionally replaced.

Despite popular belief, the springs often go out without much drama, and often with little to no warning – unless they were nearing their time. Because a malfunctioning, or broken spring is quite dangerous, it is advisable for you to halt any further use of the door immediately. Unplugging the opener from its power source is an even better option. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

The replacement of a broken garage door spring is a complex task. Requiring a great deal of expertise, this job is not DIY recommended, especially considering the fact that these springs are responsible for counterbalancing the entire weight of your door. A door that can weigh anywhere between 300 and 1,500 pounds. Doing-it-yourself is simply not worth risking your safety or that of your loved ones. Be sure to contact a professional.

One option you may want to consider is high-cycle springs. Despite being more expensive compared to standard springs, high-cycle springs generally last about four times as long, making them a worthwhile expenditure. When replacing broken garage door springs, it is additionally recommended that both springs be replaced at the same time, because the unbroken spring will have lost some of its tension from years of use.

Prevent Your Door from Breaking Down

Garage Door Maintenance Tips

A garage seems like such a simple-looking mechanism. At just one push of a button you can tell your garage to open or close. That’s pretty powerful! While a garage is easy to work with when it’s functioning properly, if there are any signs of a broken garage spring or off track garage door, you should be careful. You should not attempt any major garage door repairs by yourself. Although, there ARE a few maintenance tips you can keep up with! Our hope is to help you prevent future garage door issues.

garage door phoenix

Have you done all of these yet?

A noisy garage door is extremely annoying, and totally unnecessary! Most people think that you can spray a little WD-40 on your garage door springs and tracks and the sound will vanish. We’re here to set the record straight! WD-40 was not designed to be a long-term lubricant. Lithium or silicone lubricate spray’s are designed to work with the metal parts, chains, and rollers on your garage door.

Sometimes people assume that your garage track needs lubrication, when that’s not always the case. Adding lubricant can actually attracted more dust and interfere with how your garage is operating. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the tracks, that should take care of your cleaning needs. If there is more of a sticky residue on your track, it is a good idea to use a solvent metal cleaner.

If you garage door has randomly stopped opening or closing, we recommend checking your garage door sensors first. You will find your garage sensors at the bottom of both sides of your garage door. These are little but important aspects to a properly running garage. Make sure your garage sensors are aligned and that no obstructions are blocking their ability to work.

These are just little, but helpful tips to be mindful of while caring for your garage! For more information, your ARIZONA GARAGE DOOR company can help you with all of your garage door questions and needs!

Call us at: 602-396-4717

Garage Door Insulation

Keep Your House Cool

Even though it’s technically still spring, let’s be honest, we live in Arizona. It is getting hot, quick. People are starting to close their windows, doors, and turning their A/Cs on. With the electric bills being so high during the spring and summer seasons, don’t you want to keep your house as cool as possible?

One of the most important things homeowners can do to save energy and to diminish the worry of heating and cooling costs is to insulate their homes. Even when you have the most energy efficient heating and cooling system and windows, the home’s largest opening is the garage door. The garage door opening is the most used door of your home—and hence, it’s the largest energy drain.

“7 out of 10 homeowners rely on the garage door as their primary entrance.”
– LiftMaster

Insulated doors offer significant benefits to those of us whose garages are attached to our homes. The insulation in your home’s walls reduces the flow of heat into the garage, and the insulation in your garage door further limits the transmission of heat into your house. If your garage door is not insulated, that’s just one less barrier to the heating or cooling efficiency of your home, and one less dollar in your wallet! Even if your garage door is insulated, if you don’t have the proper seal on the garage door, you may be still losing heat or cold. The most common garage door seals are the bottom seal, threshold seal and weather stripping. To get the best and proper seal on your garage door is a very delicate process, leave this to the professionals.

“75.4% is the average return-on-investment for a garage door insulation project. “-2013 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report

Prepare for the warmer seasons and save some money today! Let Arizona Garage Door & Repair insulate your garage door for you. We want to help!

Call us today or contact us online.

We serve in many locations:

Metro Phoenix (602) 396-4717 
Tucson (520) 423-4107 
West Valley / Sun City (623) 889-2357 
East Valley / Scottsdale (480) 289-2719