Do you have broken garage door springs? Read our guide to find out the top reasons why they break, how to avoid it, and how to fix it.

There are several types of garage door springs, all of which malfunction at one point or the other. The problem with a malfunctioning garage door spring is that it could lock you out of your own garage. You see, when the spring malfunctions, it may be impossible to disengage the opener and open your garage door manually.

Case in point, the garage door springs play a vital role in your overall garage operation and should be treated well. The question is, why would your garage door spring malfunction?

Keep reading to find out some of the most common reasons why garage door springs malfunction and how to avoid them.

Rust Buildup

Rust build-up is one of the most significant reasons for garage door spring malfunction.

Lack of lubrication is the reason why your garage door springs accumulate rust. You need to run regular maintenance routines on your garage door and lubricate every part accordingly. Rust means that the integrity of the steel has broken down.

Due to the constant coiling and uncoiling during garage door operation, the springs eventually snap. When rust corrodes the springs, they are also more susceptible to breaking because they become brittle and weak. This causes them to either snap or fall apart.

Additionally, rust buildup also increases the friction of the springs, causing them to break. In most cases, garage door rust accumulation happens in wet or humid climates. If you live in such areas, it’s important to ensure that you have quality garage door springs and that you lubricate them regularly.

Wear and Tear

One of the most significant reasons why your garage door springs are malfunctioning is general wear and tear.

The garage door springs do all the heavy lifting when your garage door is in operation, which is a very strenuous job. Eventually, they wear out and lack enough strength to support the weight of the garage, breaking in the process.

Contractor-grade garage springs are designed to last anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 cycles. This means the full opening and closing. On the other hand, precision garage door springs last as much as five times longer or up to 50,000 cycles. Garage door springs replacement every once in a while becomes necessary.

If you open and close your garage door more than once per day, it means that you go through these cycles a lot more quickly. Hence, you may need to replace garage door springs more regularly.

Cold Weather

The temperature drops, garage door springs are bound to suffer due to the cold. When the cold steel goes under pressure during garage door operation, there’s always a chance that the springs could break. This means that during the winter seasons, your garage door needs regular maintenance.

Inadequate Maintenance

We’ve mentioned regular maintenance several times, and now we need to expand on it. We cannot overemphasize the importance of garage door maintenance, especially garage door springs that play a vital role in the operation of the garage door.

Your garage door is a precision device that requires regular maintenance and lubrication. Now, the one thing you have to understand about garage doors is that they’re incredibly heavy. It would not be wise to do DIY maintenance routines because you would be risking injuries and damages to the garage door.

Instead, have a professional garage door technician run a maintenance routine every once in a while. This will ensure smooth operation at all times and that your garage door springs last long without compromising your garage.

How to Avoid Broken Garage Door Springs

Broken garage door springs can cause your garage to malfunction. The last thing you want is to park your car outside because your garage door refuses to open. Here are some of the measures you can take to avoid contending with broken garage door springs:

Listen for Unusual Sounds

A garage door is a heavy mechanical device that is bound to make noise during operation. However, when you notice that your garage door springs are making unusual noises, then it’s likely there’s a problem that needs to be addressed.

If you hear a thumping sound right before the garage door closes completely, it could be an indication that the springs need to be adjusted.

If you hear more of a squeaking sound, then it’s an indication that the springs need to be lubricated. On the other hand, if you hear a screeching or scraping sound, it’s generally an indication that one of your garage door springs is broken or too worn out to operate seamlessly.

This means that you should replace the broken garage door springs before the rest of the springs follow suit. Ignoring these sounds can be a grave mistake because it could lead to expensive garage door repair or even serious accidents if the garage door were to fall.

It’s advisable to call in an expert who knows how to fix garage door springs.

Never Overlook Garage Door Springs Replacement

One of the worst mistakes you could make is overlooking a problem when you need garage door springs repair or replacement. You’d be surprised at the number of homeowners who put off a broken spring until things escalate.

The thing is, if your garage door relies upon one or two springs to operate, you’re going to stress everything else from the rollers to the tracks, cables, and the garage door opener. Failure will be inevitable, whether sooner or later, and it will lead to a more expensive garage door repair.

Don’t Try to Fix Broken Springs

Perhaps the most dangerous mistake you could make is trying to fix broken garage door springs. Even if you realize only one of the springs is broken, you must replace all the springs.

Replacing is a much better option because you can be sure that the springs will not give in again for a significant period of time.

Garage Door Springs: What You Need to Know

If you have been wondering why your garage door springs wear out too often, now you know what could be causing the problem. You must maintain your garage door springs with lubrication and replacement when necessary to avoid larger problems.

If you’re currently in search of a professional garage door technician, please give us a call today, and we’ll be more than glad to fix your garage door problems.