What Causes Garage Door Springs to Break or Go Bad?
Your springs are an essential component of your garage door, so you should know the causes of trouble when they go bad. There are plenty of reasons why springs wear away, and while some of these are caused by the natural operation of your unit, other problems are the responsibility of the garage owner. We’ll break down every major reason for poor garage door springs and help garage owners understand their system in ways that ensure long-lasting systems and keep hard-earned money in your wallet.
Wear and Tear
Sometimes your springs wear away naturally. Springs have a heavy responsibility, carrying most of the weight of your door while constantly benign under pressure. There’s only so much they can do before giving way, and being aware of their lifespan is the best way to understand when your springs might break.
Most springs have a lifetime of anywhere between 5,000-10,000 cycles, with some springs lasting as long as 50,000. During installation, your contractor can outline how long your springs will last. You don’t have to keep track of every time you open or close your door, but it’s good to have a rough understanding of your habits to predict when the end of the lifespan is approaching.
Rust
Rust is one of the more common causes of broken springs. Rust corrodes the steel, weakening your spring and making opening and closing the door more difficult. The weaker the component, the more likely it is to buckle under pressure, which is why many homeowners report doors that won’t work far too soon after installation. Rust is more common in warm or humid climates, so make sure you talk to your contractor about high-quality springs that will withstand these environmental effects.
Cold Temperatures
Cold weather is another major cause of broken or damaged springs. Cold weather stiffens springs, causing them to become less sturdy. Instead of adjusting to the weight, the springs may snap and even fly out in various directions. This is more common in older and less maintained springs, so keep a close eye on the advancing age of your springs and have your contractor give it a look if you have any doubts.
A Lack of Maintenance
Do you know about the importance of proper maintenance for your garage door? Maintenance is the best way to keep your door on track and keep components like your springs in working order. Those rust issues we talked about earlier? A quality maintenance team can identify and prevent rusting before it becomes problematic.
Maintenance will notice signs of broken or damaged springs and keep you updated with the best solutions to your problems. Take advantage of your maintenance team to understand your garage door components inside and out.
Incorrect Springs
Sometimes you receive springs that aren’t fit to handle the requirements of your garage door. Springs that aren’t the right length or size can often fail sooner than they should. Additionally, some installers use one large spring, but that isn’t always the most effective way to ensure the safety of larger garage door systems. The right spring is just as important as maintaining them, so make sure that the ones you have are fit for the job.
Are Your Springs Damaged? In N Out Is Here to Help!
Garage door springs are an integral part of the safety and security of your door. When springs break or go bad, you don’t want to be unprepared for the task ahead. But that’s where the pros come in!
The In N Out Garage Door service team is filled with experts in the garage door industry, and we’ll take every part of your door — from your garage door springs to your garage door opener — and perform a quality inspection and repair or replacement. We’ll keep your parts in peak condition and provide quality service that gets the job done in a timely manner. Contact us for all your garage door repair needs — including broken spring repair or replacement — and schedule your appointment today!