Broken Garage Door Spring

Garage Door Spring Replacement

Are Your Springs Broken?

If your garage door isn’t opening or is hanging crooked the springs are a likely suspect. Other signs include…

  • Garage door not opening or opening crooked or on an angle

  • 3-4 inch gap or break between coils

  • Elongated spring(s)

  • Loose or fallen cables

  • Garage door slams suddenly when opening or closing

  • Heavy or strenuous manual operation of the garage door

Different Types of Garage Door Springs

Springs are essential to any garage doors operation as they provide the lift and balance that allows for the door to be easily opened and closed.

When it comes to garage doors spring tension is a vital part of garage door operation, having said that the springs are also supported by its assembly. There are two spring choices for garage doors Extension Springs and Torsion Springs. In both cases the assembly requires similar components such as; cables and the correct springs for the job. They also have many different parts, in the case of extension springs they require much more cable as well as a mounted roller and very secure back hangs. On the other hand torsion springs have a few different variations; they are generally made up of a shaft, end bearing plates, cables, drums, center bracket, center bearing, and correct springs.

Extension springs are found along the horizontal track where they extend and retract as the door opens and closes. Regardless of the size of the garage door, if it has an extension spring assembly there will be two springs, one on each side of the door. Overtime springs will break due to age or other factors, even when just one spring breaks the door will no longer operate correctly. This is due to improper tension to lift the door and garage door openers are not intended to lift the full weight of any garage door. When an extension spring breaks it is generally best to replace both springs to ensure not only correct balance but also a repair that will provide a more lasting solution.

Extension Springs

Torsion springs are generally mounted directly above a garage door wound around a shaft/tube that rotates as it opens and closes the door. In the case of torsion springs there are some occasions when one spring is suitable mostly for single car garage doors and light uninsulated two car garage doors. When having a one spring assembly the door will no longer operate until the spring is replaced. On the other hand many two car garage doors call for two springs. Similar to extension springs, when one spring breaks the door is generally not operational due to improper balance (Note: even if a garage door is operating with one broken spring it is adding additional wear and tear to all components of the garage door). Outside of some situations it is best to replace both springs at the same time for correct balance and to get a lasting solution to avoid more unexpected repairs.

Torsion Springs

Wayne Dalton Torque Master (tube springs)

Wayne Dalton Torque Master springs (tube springs) or similar to torsion springs and are mounted above the garage door, but the springs are confined in an aluminum tube. When tube springs break there is no visual spring that can be seen. Most common signs are loose cables, the garage door is not opening, and fast dropping when the garage door is closing. Delaying repair when seeing signs even though the door may be operating at some level is not recommended, as it can cause damage to other key components of a garage door. Most garage door repair companies do not replace tube springs, instead they convert them to torsion springs in most cases. Converting to torsion springs requires additional parts, but is the best option for repair and future use.

Why do Garage Door Springs Break?

  1. General wear and tear- Normal wear and tear are the most common reason springs break. All springs have an expected life span based on the cycles (fully opening and closing a garage door is one cycle) on average springs last 10,000 to 15,000 cycles. Depending on how often a garage door is used most springs get 7-10 years of life.

  2. Poor Maintenance- While normal operation cannot be avoided, proper lubrication and balancing is attained simply by having your garage door serviced by a professional at minimum of once a year. Professional maintenance can help increase the life and operation of springs by months and sometimes even years.

  3. Unbalanced Parts- An unbalanced garage door puts extreme stress on the springs causing them to wear out and break sooner than the springs projected life span.

Delaying Garage Door Spring Repairs Can Be Costly

Have you noticed your garage door spring is broken or one of the two springs is broken? These may seem like minor garage door repairs you can delay, however broken springs are major issues that need addressed immediately to avoid any further issues. With continued usage of your garage door with a broken spring you're only risking creating additional costly repairs for yourself in the future. For example running your garage door with a broken spring puts extra strain and wear on your opener; creating extra work for your opener shortening its life span and increasing your odds of having to replace sooner. Also continued usage with a broken spring is a safety hazard for you and personal property inside of the garage. Lastly, with continuing delaying you’ll eventually have to replace both opener and springs in order for your door to operate costing you twice as much as it would have then it would have with just the original spring replacement needed.

Don’t delay your spring replacement, instead call us at the first sign of a broken spring or unbalanced garage door. Save your money now and have your springs replaced today keeping you and your family safe, and keeping your garage door on track to reach its full life span.

Is Your Garage Door Balanced?

Every garage door needs to be balanced correctly in order to operate smoothly and properly. In order for a door to be balanced correctly your garage door springs must not only be the correct size, but have the correct tension. An unbalanced door puts unnecessary wear and tear on your springs and openers causing them both to wear out faster. Homeowners can check to see if their springs are functioning properly by completing a balance test. To perform a balance test follow these steps below.

  • Start with your garage door closed standing inside of your garage. 

  • Pull your emergency release cord hanging down from your opener to disengage your garage door from the opener. 

  • Begin manually opening your garage door to the halfway point and release it keeping your feet out of the doors travel path. If your garage door does not hold itself and falls to the ground you know your door is not balanced. 

  • Re Engage your opener by re engaging your emergency release by pulling on the cord again, and give us a call immediately to schedule an appointment to have your door re-balanced or have your springs replaced.

If you rather leave the testing to us, we would be happy to perform your balance test along with other safety tests with scheduling a garage door tune up appointment. Visit our tune up page for more information or give us a call @ (970) 820-0474.

Garage Door Torsion Spring Assembly

Benefits of Torsion Springs

  • Safety - securely mounted steel center plate and bearing, with steel torsion springs wound and secured to a steel shaft/tube that contains the spring even when they break.

  • Durability - Torsion springs last on average 2 years longer than extension springs, as well as much smoother overall operation.

  • Versatile - Different variations available for multiple different solutions that fit any opening (Low head room and high lift most commonly).

Steps to a Speedy Spring Repair

Just a few things to know before calling to help jumpstart your spring repair

Do you have a single car garage or a double car garage?

The size of your garage door is a key factor into the amount of springs as well as the size along with other factors such as weight.

Weight is an important factor as to how many springs your garage door needs. The material that the garage door is made of plays a major role in the weight of amount and size of the correct springs.

What is your garage door made of (wood, steel, aluminum)?

What kind of springs do you have (extension or torsion)?

Giving as much info as possible to a garage door company will help get the right repair done in the fastest manner.

Interested in Scheduling your Garage Door Spring Replacement?

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FAQs

  • Most commonly springs are located directly above the door mounted to the frame of the opening. Some are located above the door but are enclosed in an aluminum tube. The last common spot is extended along the side of the horizontal tracks.

  • Torsion springs last on average 5-7 years (10,000 to 15,000 cycles). Extension springs last on average 3-5 years (around 10,000 cycles).

  • In the case of extension springs two springs are needed for operation. On the other hand torsion springs can have single spring solutions. Lightweight single car garages often only call for one torsion spring for smooth operation. When dealing with large openings it is beneficial for smooth operation and meeting average life cycles to have a standard two torsion spring assembly.