When it comes to your door opening and closing, your garage door springs do all the hard work. To remain in place and maneuver evenly, your garage door uses springs. If you don’t know exactly how the springs work and they unexpectedly break, this can be a huge problem that will necessitate calling Chicago garage door repair experts. So, it’s important to check your entire system every month. Even with visual inspections and care, your garage door springs will wear out in the long run.
You must also know how your garage door works, what causes them to break and how to repair them. Here are five scenarios that will help you identify whether your spring is broken.
The Door Does Not Remain Open After Opening
Did you know that your garage door springs do all the work? By watching your door open and close you can check for signs that your door is having a problem.
If the door does not remain open, you need to address the tension issue. When it opens then stops, chances are the spring is broken.
The Garage Door Is Opening Slowly
A door that opens slowly is also another sign that your tension has an issue. This might mean that the spring is old or needs some adjustments. Whether your door has one or more torsion springs, once it stretches it becomes less effective.
While this problem is very easy to address, you should avoid tightening the spring alone as doing this too much can lead to injury or failure.
Broken Torsion Springs
Mounted just above the closed door, torsion springs are supposed to last for long. Unfortunately, they are always the first items to break. You’ll know that your garage door spring is bad when it makes a lot of noise.
If your door has broken springs do not attempt to open it as it can be dangerous. instead, call a professional to replace it straight away.
Garage Door Will Not Open
If you can see visible damages on the springs then it means there is a problem. When your garage door fails to work, it can interfere with your appointment and even make you miss work.
It can also prevent you from keeping your car in the garage. If your door fails to open chances are you’ve broken spring. The only option you have is to have someone replace it.
Snapped Or Loose Cables
extension springs are usually fitted with cables on each side that run which go through the spring. Given that extension, springs are constantly under tension and could cause injury; the work of safety cables is to control them.
If your safety cables become loose, snap, or break there will be nothing to control the springs. They could also interfere with the function of the door.
Reasons Why Your Garage Door Springs Break
Wear and Tear.
This is perhaps the biggest reason why your garage door spring may break. since most garage door springs are engineered to go for 10000 cycles, if it receives excessive use it’s likely to wear out
Rust.
Rust can dramatically shorten the lifespan of a garage door if it develops on it. While moving back and forth, rust increases the amount of friction. Additionally, it weakens the coils leading to failure.
Poor Maintenance.
While all garage doors fail at some point, proper maintenance can prolong the lifestyle and alert you when something is bad. This will help you prevent the eventual breaking of the spring. Alongside lubrication, you should regularly check the garage door balance.
Low-quality installation.
One mistake that most people make is to pay someone who seems like they understand garage doors. But this is a practice that comes with issues. If you hire a non-professional to install your garage door, you’ll definitely invalidate the warranty. Don’t take any chances, if you need someone to install your door, call a professional.
Door jams.
Over time dirt, grime, and debris can accumulate on your garage door. When this becomes serious it can block the roller. This can easily make the door jam leaving the spring in a state of limbo. If your door is not functioning well, you need to replace the springs.
Having an efficient and reliable garage door can boost your home’s design, increase its value and improve your safety. If you can’t handle the problem alone it’s important to know exactly what it is. This way, you are better placed to inform a professional. If you find yourself struggling with the garage door, the best thing is to have it inspected.