If your garage door suddenly stops while opening and you hear a loud bang, similar to a gunshot, it’s likely that you have a broken garage door spring. Springs are crucial components that counterbalance the weight of your door and are responsible for the actual lifting and closing of your garage door. A broken garage door spring is a frequent cause of garage door malfunctions and is typically straightforward to recognize.
The most effective approach to prevent garage door spring breakage is to conduct regular inspections and maintenance throughout the expected lifespan of the springs. It’s advisable to springs as they approach the end of their lifecycle. It’s far safer and more economical to replace springs as they approach the end of their lifecycle to help avoid the risk of them snapping unexpectedly, potentially causing damage to the door and posing a safety hazard. Regular proactive maintenance helps ensure your garage door operates smoothly and safely.
If you’re uncertain about the lifespan of your garage door springs or whether it’s nearing time for replacement, here’s a helpful guideline to estimate their life expectancy: Typically, garage door springs last around 10,000 cycles or approximately 3-5 years. However, the actual lifespan can vary depending on many factors including proper lubrication/maintenance and how frequently the garage door is open and closed.
FAQs
More often than not, springs break after the door has closed. In more dangerous instances, a spring can suddenly snap as the door is coming down, causing it to drop quickly. Your garage door is heavy and can be hazardous if not handled correctly. In these cases, call Kaiser Garage Doors and Gates as soon as possible and keep a safe distance until your door is repaired.
The type of springs you need depend on the type of garage door you have – details like the size and weight of your door would play a factor. Our certified technicians can easily determine which springs are best for your garage door and will install them so your door is working again.
Torsion springs are located above the garage door and they are what lift the actual weight of the garage door. Most doors weigh between 150 to 250 pounds and without working springs, the garage door opener cannot lift the door. Attempting to use a garage door opener to lift a garage door with a broken spring can cause numerous parts on the opener to break.
Extension springs are used in a different type of door lift design that are used perpendicular to the door. They are attached to the bracket that holds the horizontal track to the ceiling. They extend as the door goes down and with one broken the door cannot work properly.
