Broken Garage Door Spring
Repair & Replacement

Scottsdale & Phoenix, AZ

Broken Garage Door Springs can cause a lot of problems and with your garage door weighing anywhere in the neighborhood of 300 and 1,000 pounds, and it is the heaviest, and most complex moving object within most homes. With no shortage of components that can malfunction including the garage door springs.

The springs perform most of the work all the while under hundreds of pounds of torsion. Unfortunately, these springs have limited life expectancies, which once elapsed, can cause them to subsequently break, rendering the door immovable.

Here are some of the most common questions we receive regarding broken garage door springs.

What is the function of a garage door spring?

Contrary to popular belief, the torsion or extension spring – not the opener or motor, does all the heavy lifting. The garage door springs on your garage door maintain its equilibrium and are essential for its proper functioning, and your home’s security.

In essence, this means that a garage door spring is supposed to make it easier on an opener’s motor, and lighter for you to lift on your own. For this to happen, however, it must be properly balanced.

To check the balance of your door:

  1. Ensure that the door is securely closed.
  2. Disengage the garage door opener from the garage door by pulling the manual release rope straight down.
  3. Once disengaged, lift the door about three feet off the ground with your hands, and let go.
  4. A properly balanced door should stay open. If it closes immediately contact a professional garage door repair company.

How can I tell if my garage spring needs repairing?

It is important for you to realize that garage door springs are under an immense amount of tension. Once a spring reaches its life expectancy, it may break without little to any notice, thus causing all tension to be effectively released and making it ineffective at counterbalancing the door.

To ensure your safety and security, we urge you to halt further use of the door, and immediately contact a professional garage door repair company.

The garage door spring typically fails while it is in the down position due to having the most tension while in this position. This, however, is not to say that the door spring could not fail while the garage door is in a raised position or while it is in operation. This is just one of the reasons why you should NEVER walk under a garage door while it is in motion.

Here are some of the more common signs that your garage door springs are broken or about to break:

  • The garage door won’t open.
  • The garage door feels heavy.
  • The garage door appears crooked.
  • There is a visible separation in the door spring.
  • The door unexpectedly stops during operation.

When should you replace broken springs?

Garage door springs, available in two types, torsion, and extension, are rated with an industry standard of just 10,000 cycles. If the average two-car household operates their garage door four times per day for 365 days that accounts for 1,460 uses. Dividing 10,000 by 1,460 gives your spring a life expectancy of just over six years. Use the table before to determine your spring’s life expectancy:

How Many Times Your Door is Used Standard Spring Life Expectancy
2 times per day 14 Years
4 times per day 7 Years
6 times per day 5 Years
8 times per day 3 Years

Among the longest-lasting (and costliest) garage door springs, extended life or high-cycle springs generally last two to five times longer compared to standard springs, which makes them far more cost-effective than using standard garage door springs. This doesn’t even take into account the peace of mind high-cycle springs will afford you! High-cycle springs are highly recommended for use on heavier doors such as wood.

What is the difference between torsion and extension springs?

Garage Door Torsion Springs, available singly or in sets of two, are typically used to balance a door weighing between 350 and 1,000 pounds. They can be found on the wall directly above the door. Garage Door Extension Springs, on the other hand, are only available in sets of two and are typically used to balance doors less than 350 pounds. They can be found on both sides of the door. Made of steel, these springs resemble a big, tightly wound rubber band.

Can I replace my own garage door springs?

Broken garage door spring replacement is both a complex and can be a dangerous task. This is due to the fact that the springs are under an immense amount of tension. It is this tension that gives them their lifting power. Without a great deal of expertise, the property can be damaged – or scarier still, you or your loved ones can suffer a personal injury. We recommend contacting a professional garage door repair company when you need garage door spring replacement.

7 Days a Week New Garage Door Springs Installation & Garage Door Springs Repairs

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