How to Identify Garage Door Spring Issues
Properly performing garage door springs are integral to the operation of your garage door. If something happens to the springs and they become damaged or outright broken, your garage door may not operate properly or at all, which can also lead to warping or bending of the door itself. Garage door spring repair is on one of the most common calls for assistance that we receive at Portsmouth Garage Repair of Portsmouth, Virginia. While major garage door spring problems should always be handled by a professional, this article can assist you in identifying a problem with your garage door springs so that it can be handled swiftly. Operating your garage door with damaged or malfunctioning springs is not only bad for your garage door and opener mechanism, but could be dangerous as the springs could break at any time.
When you contact our helpful representatives at our garage door repair company, they can provide you with a fast consultation and free, no obligation quote for our services. You’ll no doubt be impressed by our low rates, but you might wonder how we can keep our garage door company’s rates so low without providing sub-standard work or products. It’s simply because of smart business practices. That’s because expert technicians provide top-quality services for all of your garage door repair and installation requests. Our garage door repair technicians of Doraville are fully trained, licensed, and certified to handle all manner of garage door repairs. Each of our expert technicians have hands-on experience replacing springs, repairing opener mechanisms, refitting cables and pulleys, replacing worn sections of garage door track, and installing brand new garage doors in Doraville. Enlist our repair team today in Portsmouth, Virginia and you’ll be glad you did!
Types of Garage Door Springs
Generally speaking, most residential garage doors are powered by torsion springs or extension springs. There are exceptions but these are used in the vast majority of cases. So what’s the difference and how can you identify which type of garage door spring you’re dealing with? Luckily, it’s fairly easy to figure out which type of garage door spring you have using this guide.
Extension Springs -
Extension springs are located in one of two places, either on the sides of the door or above the tracks. Extension springs have safety cables that tie along the track which prevents them in most cases from flying off if the springs break, although depending on the age of the garage door, this doesn’t always protect against a spring break.
Torsion Springs -
Torsion springs are installed on the wall above the garage door. Torsion springs, as their name suggests, work using the force of torque and twist to create enough resistance to lift your garage door. Torsion springs are generally longer-lasting, stronger, and outperform extension springs. Torsion springs are a newer design than extension springs.
All types of garage door springs come in different sizes and shapes, for different models and weights of garage doors. They are also rated by the life cycles (each time the door is opened and closed is referred to as one life cycle). Torsion springs are rated for a significantly higher amount of life cycles than extension springs.
How to Identify if Your Springs Are At Risk
If you suspect a problem with one or both of your garage door springs, whether you have torsion or extension springs, we highly recommend that you cease using your garage door and call a garage door repair technician immediately for advice. While no one likes to make a service call, especially if it’s at a particularly inconvenient time, the more you use faulty garage door springs, the more damage could occur, not only to the springs but to the opener mechanism, the tracks, and even the door itself.
Operate your garage door a few times and pay attention to how the springs are functioning. If there appears to be something amiss or there is excessive noise or if your door shakes, then it’s time to call a garage door repair company for advice.
How to Identify if One or Both Springs Are Damaged
Excessive noise that seems new can be one sign of an impending spring breakage. Your garage door may slam shut or hang suspended halfway down the track if one or more of the garage door springs breaks. This can make a very loud noise that will have you and your neighbors wondering if an explosion occurred. Then your door won’t raise. When you inspect the area from the inside, you may find the broken spring hanging from the safety cable or pieces of it scattered on the floor.
If you do suspect that your garage door springs are broken or damaged, don’t try to mess with them yourself. That’s a recipe for disaster. Contact a professional garage door repair company instead. This always bears repeating. When it comes to replacing the springs, make sure you discuss which style and model of springs would be best to keep your garage door operating without fail for years to come.
Professional Garage Door Spring Replacement
Choosing the right garage door repair company is imperative to receiving high-quality results at an affordable price that actually solve the root of the problem. Investigate your options thoroughly before deciding on the appropriate company. A skilled and experienced garage door repair company, such as Portsmouth Garage Repair of Portsmouth, Virginia, can replace or repair your garage door springs as well as any other needed repairs for an affordable price.
Your garage door springs are under enormous amounts of pressure to allow for the proper operation of your garage door, no matter whether they are torsion or extension springs. It doesn’t matter how well you take care of your garage door, eventually your garage door springs will probably need to be replaced. Never try to take on this dangerous activity yourself. Call the pros instead to avoid the risk of further costly damage or worse, serious injury.