What Causes Garage Door Springs to Break? Learn How to Avoid It!

Imagine coming home after a long day at work, pushing the button on your garage door opener, and finding yourself stuck outside because the door won’t lift open. As you stand there in disbelief, you suddenly realize that it is not an act of rebellious machinery, but the fallout of a broken garage door spring. Frustrating, right? In this blog post, we will demystify what causes garage door springs to break and give you preventive measures to keep your garage door functioning as smoothly as a well-choreographed ballroom dance. So brace yourselves, because these insights might just save you from a future unexpected garage door hiatus.

A garage door spring can break due to various reasons, including normal wear and tear, lack of maintenance, extreme temperatures, or using the wrong type of spring. Regular inspection and maintenance of your garage door system can help identify potential issues before they become significant problems. It is essential to hire professionals to handle any repairs or replacements needed to ensure your safety and proper functionality of your garage door system.

Factors That Can Cause Garage Door Springs to Break

Garage door springs are an essential part of your garage door system. However, due to multiple factors, they can break or snap unexpectedly. Identifying the reasons for garage door spring failure is necessary to prevent any severe property damage and injury. Here are some critical factors that can cause garage door springs to break.

Heavy Use and Overloading: The frequent use of a garage door can place extra strain on the springs, causing them to wear out faster. According to industry experts, the average lifespan of garage door springs is between 7-9 years with average use (3-4 times daily). Overloading your garage door with heavy loads further reduces the life expectancy of the springs.

Environmental Effects: Temperature and Corrosion – Humid environments can lead to corrosion, which weakens the metal parts of the spring over time. Additionally, extreme temperatures cause metal components to expand or contract, leading to cracks and other damage in the system.

Poor Installation or Adjustment – Just like a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, the quality of installation plays a significant role in determining how long your garage door’s springs will last. Poor installation or adjustment can lead to misalignment and uneven weight distribution stress on the system.

As you can see, several factors contribute to garage door spring failure. The next section will delve into heavy use and overloading as a primary cause of spring breakage.

Heavy Use and Overloading

When most people think about it, using your garage door more frequently seems like it would be beneficial for keeping it working well. Unfortunately, this could not be farther from the truth, as frequent use places considerable strain on the springs. When a garage door is opened or closed regularly multiple times per day, it creates tension on the spring coils. As a result, the spring becomes more susceptible to breaking.

Overloading garage doors – Just as with frequent use, overloading your garage door with heavy items or excess weight can cause strain on the springs. This extra strain reduces the life expectancy of the springs and eventually results in failure.

Poor Maintenance – Lack of maintenance is another significant reason why garage door springs break prematurely. They should be inspected regularly by a professional to identify any signs of wear and tear. Failure to lubricate and clean the springs may lead to corrosion and damages in the long run.

DIY Repairs – Attempting DIY repairs is one of the most common causes of damage to your garage door springs. Repairing or replacing garage door springs is not a simple task, and it’s better left to professionals who have expertise in that field. Improper installation or adjustment could place unnecessary stress on the components, leading to spring failure.

Environmental Effects: Temperature and Corrosion

Garage door springs are constantly exposed to environmental factors such as temperature changes, humidity, and moisture. These factors can cause corrosion, which weakens the spring and ultimately leads to its failure. In particular, extreme temperatures during summer and winter can have a significant impact on the lifespan of garage door springs.

During winter, metal contracts due to very low temperatures, causing it to become brittle. This brittleness weakens the metal, making it more prone to cracks and breakage. If you live in an area with frequent sub-zero temperatures, your garage door springs may be more at risk of breaking down.

Similarly, high temperatures during summer can also affect your garage door springs. Heat causes metals to expand, which creates stress on the components of the spring. As a result, the lifespan of your garage door springs can decrease significantly if it is exposed to high-temperature fluctuations over long periods.

While you cannot control the weather conditions that affect your garage door springs, you can take measures to protect them from environmental damage. For example, one way is by using springs made from higher-grade materials that do not corrode easily or by applying lubricants or oil-coatings that protect against corrosion and help reduce friction.

The Role of Age and Regular Wear on Spring Function

Just like the tires on a car or any other mechanical part, garage door springs have a limited lifespan and will eventually need replacement with regular wear and tear. Over time, constant use and movement put stress on the spring’s metal coils until they develop fatigue cracks and eventually break.

Think of a bicycle chain – every time you ride it compresses, stretches out, twists around gears – all while exposed to elements such as dirt or water. Similarly, garage door springs undergo constant stress every time the door is opened and closed. They are made from materials that can withstand only so much pressure and tension before they begin to weaken or fail altogether.

For example, if you have a standard torsion spring rated at 10,000 cycles (cycles = opening & closing your garage door), it should last around seven or eight years with average use (that’s three to four cycles per day). Depending on how often you open/close your garage door, this timeframe may vary. If you use your garage door frequently, it will need more regular servicing to keep the springs operating as long as possible.

While age and wear on garage door springs cannot be completely avoided, regular maintenance can help prolong their lifespan. Regular inspection of your garage door system can help identify any signs of wear and tear that could lead to spring failure(see our previous section). Consistent lubrication and cleaning of your garage door’s mechanical components, including the springs, can also help protect against damage and improve overall performance.

• According to industry data, the average lifespan of a garage door spring is around 10,000 cycles, which translates to approximately 7-10 years with standard use.
• A study on garage door maintenance found that poor installation and insufficient maintenance led to spring breakage in over 30% of reported cases.
• The International Door Association indicates that nearly 20% of garage door springs fail prematurely due to usage beyond the recommended cycle limit or exposure to extreme weather conditions.

Identifying the Warning Signs of Potential Spring Failure

Garage door springs are designed to handle a lot of stress, but they won’t last forever. As they age and begin to wear down, you might start noticing warning signs that your garage door springs are about to fail. Early detection of these warning signs can prevent major problems down the road and save you from experiencing costly repairs or even injuries. Here are some of the most common warning signs of potential spring failure:

Abnormal Sounds: If you hear strange or unusual sounds when opening or closing your garage door, it could be a sign that your garage door springs are beginning to wear out. Common sounds include creaking, groaning, or grinding noises.

Crooked Door: If you notice that your garage door is crooked when it opens and closes, it could be due to worn-out garage door springs. The springs might not be providing enough tension to keep the door level and centered.

Slow Operation: Worn out garage door springs may struggle to lift the weight of the garage door, resulting in slow operation. If you find yourself waiting longer than usual for your garage door to open or close, it’s time for a professional inspection.

Now that we’ve identified these warning signs, let’s explore one of the most common ones in more detail.

• Regular inspection and maintenance of garage door springs is crucial to ensuring their longevity and preventing accidents. It’s important to be aware of the warning signs of potential spring failure, such as abnormal sounds, a crooked door, and slow operation, in order to address these issues before they cause major problems or require costly repairs. If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s recommended that you seek the help of a professional garage door technician to perform a thorough inspection and make any necessary repairs.

Unusual Sounds and Operation

If your garage door makes noises that sound like pops or snaps during its operation, it may indicate that one of its moving parts has become defective. If you also notice jerky movements while operating your garage door, this could mean that one side of the garage door spring is damaged more than the other or that there is rust on one part. These warning signs can manifest as a result of several reasons.

First off, the usual wear and tear on the parts of a garage door can cause many issues, including faulty springs. A spring’s life is determined by the number of cycles done. Most quality springs are rated to last for 10,000 cycles, and with average use (3-4 times daily), this converts to around seven or nine years.

However, one factor that may impact your garage door operation is environmental effects like extreme temperature changes. During winter where low temperature conditions prevail, metal contracting results in cracks in the springs, leading to early breakage. Additionally, improper garage maintenance such as lack of lubrication on moving parts can also lead to wear and tear on the springs.

It is essential for you to conduct regular inspections and maintenance services to ensure that your garage door operates smoothly at all times. Regular inspection will enable you to identify any warning signs and get prompt professional attention to prevent major costly repairs. Instead of engaging a big-box store operator who lacks comprehensive knowledge, engage professional local garage door service providers like Canadoor Garage Doors for exceptional service delivery that ensures that your garage door stays operational at all times.

Visible Signs of Wear

One of the most critical aspects of prolonging the life of your garage door springs is identifying signs of wear as soon as possible. By doing so, you can address these problems promptly before they develop into major issues that could lead to spring breakage. There are several warning signs to look out for, including visible signs of wear.

If you take a close look at your garage door springs and notice any cracks, rust, or gaps in the coils, this could indicate that it’s time to replace them. You may also find debris or wear on the cables or pulleys that operate the garage door, which can put extra strain on the springs and cause them to fail prematurely.

Furthermore, if you hear any squeaking or creaking noises coming from your garage door system when it opens or closes, this could mean the springs are under stress and need lubrication or replacement. It’s essential to address these problems immediately rather than ignoring them and hoping they’ll go away.

Some homeowners may be tempted to try DIY repairs when they notice visible signs of wear on their garage door springs. This is not recommended as it can be extremely dangerous due to the high tension involved in spring replacement and can result in serious injury. Therefore, it’s always best to call a professional garage door repair service if you spot any visible signs of wear on your springs.

Strategies to Prolong Garage Door Spring Life

To avoid costly repairs due to spring breakage, it’s crucial to apply strategies that can help prolong their lifespan. Here are some recommended strategies that homeowners should consider:

First and foremost, regular maintenance is an essential strategy for increasing the lifespan of your garage door springs. You should clean your garage door system at least twice a year and check all parts – including the springs, cables, rollers, and hinges – for signs of wear or damage. Lubricate all moving parts with a silicone-based lubricant to reduce friction and increase their working life.

Consider it akin to getting a regular physical examination at your doctor’s office to catch any minor health problems that could become major issues if left unaddressed.

Another strategy is to invest in high-quality garage door springs that are the correct size and type for your garage door. Therefore, always consult a professional garage door installation company such as Canadoor Garage Doors when replacing or installing new springs. Using the wrong type or size can cause excessive wear and tear on the springs leading to premature failure.

It’s also recommended that homeowners should avoid overloading their garage doors by exceeding the recommended weight limit. By avoiding unnecessary stress on the springs, you can keep them working smoothly for longer periods and prevent premature failure.

By taking these strategies seriously, homeowners can significantly prolong the lifespan of their garage door springs and increase the safety of their homes. Regular maintenance, careful usage of the garage door system, knowing when to call professionals for inspection and service, all contribute towards extending the lifespan of your garage door springs while reducing risk factors that lead to costly repairs.

Regular Maintenance Recommendations

Regular maintenance is essential for prolonging the lifespan of garage door springs. Here are some recommended steps you can take to keep your garage door system functioning optimally:

Lubrication: Regularly lubricate all moving parts of your garage door system, including the springs, rollers, hinges, and tracks. Use a silicone-based lubricant to ensure adequate protection against rust and wear.

Tighten Hardware: Check that all nuts, bolts, and screws holding the garage door system together are tight. Loose hardware can cause extensive damage over time.

Clear Tracks: Ensure that the tracks on either side of the door are clean and free of debris. If they become clogged with dirt or other objects, it can cause the door to operate less smoothly, putting additional strain on the springs as they open and close.

Test Safety Features: Regularly check that all safety features on your garage door system are functioning correctly. Make sure that sensors are clean and aligned properly so that they can detect any obstructions in the door’s path.

Professional Inspection and Service

While regular maintenance can help prevent many common issues with garage door systems, professional inspections and service are crucial to address more complex problems effectively. It is recommended that you schedule a professional inspection at least once a year to identify any signs of wear or damage that require attention.

Some homeowners may feel confident handling minor repairs themselves rather than hiring a professional. However, it is important to note that garage doors have many moving parts, and improper adjustments or repairs can lead to significant safety hazards, as well as further damage to the system.

Hiring a trained professional like Canadoor Garage Doors ensures that your garage door system receives accurate diagnosis, prompt repair service, and high-quality replacement parts if needed. Additionally, professional service providers have the required experience and tools to ensure that the work is completed safely, efficiently, and effectively.

Regular professional service can help maintain the life of your garage door springs by addressing minor issues before they become major problems. Technicians from Canadoor Garage Doors are trained to identify potential issues with your garage door system before they cause any significant damage.

Just as regular checkups with a doctor can help identify minor health concerns before they turn into serious illnesses, routine inspections and maintenance by professionals can help ensure that your garage door system remains in top working order for years to come.