Various Types of Garage Door Springs
From the standard residential torsion springs to industrial torsion springs, extension springs, self-storage roll-up door springs, and more, you may be overwhelmed by the names and various types of springs needed for the safe operation of your garage. To help you out, just know that there are two main categories of garage door springs, extension springs, and torsion springs. And, what a garage door spring is designed to do is act to counterbalance the weight of the door, making it easier to open and close. Just as an example, if your garage door weighs 12 pounds, then you’ll need a spring with enough force of 150 pounds to pull against the weight of the door.
Garage door torsion springs are attached securely to a metal shaft that’s above your garage door. Torsion springs apply torque to rotate the shaft, which has drums on each of the ends. Inside each drum is a cable that extends and is attached to a bolt or other fixture at the base of the garage door. The torsion spring then unwinds as the door is opened and winds as the door is closed. The standard torsion spring rating is 10,000 cycles, while the ideal torsion spring rating is 100,000 or more. The average torsion spring rating for most home garage door opener systems is 50,000 cycles.
Replacing Your Garage Door Springs
There are many things that you, the homeowner, can do to lengthen the useful life of your garage door springs. For example, if you leave your garage door open for extended periods, your springs will be exposed to the elements for longer than necessary. If there’s excessive use of your garage door, opening and closing the door frequently can create unusual wear on the springs. Another concern is applying lubricants that aren’t appropriate for the springs or cleaning them with damaging chemicals.
Overall, when you allow your garage door opening system to fall into disrepair, eventually, this inattention will cause your garage door problems to increase, costing you more money down the road. Rather than spending the money to replace your garage door sooner than is necessary, contact G & G Garage Door for professional garage door service. We suggest that you commit to twice yearly garage door inspection and service. We’ll tighten all the bolts, lubricate all of the components and ensure that any necessary repairs are completed.
Garage Door Maintenance and Repair
Lubricating Hinges
One task that often gets overlooked is lubricating garage door hinges. Over time your garage door may start to squeal and creek when in operation. A solution to this garage door noise might be as simple as tightening and lubricating your garage door hinges; not with WD-40, use white lithium or silicone spray.
Wash Garage Doors
Most homeowners never think about their garage door’s appearance. But your garage door takes up as much as 30% of the exterior of your home. So, to keep your garage door looking good while increasing your home’s curb appeal, you should regularly wash your garage door using the same type of cleaner you would use on your car.
Inspect For Wear
In between regular maintenance visits by your garage door professionals, you should inspect as many of the moving parts as you can get to. Check rollers for chips and cracks. Check the cables for fraying or rush. And watch the horizontal and vertical tracks for unusual movement when the garage door is in operation.
Test Battery Backup
In case you aren’t aware, SB-969 is a law passed in California that requires all garage door openers to have a battery backup in case the electricity goes out. You can test that your battery backup for your garage door is working properly by simply unplugging your garage door opener and try opening the garage door.
Torsion Spring Breaks
If you’ve ever heard a loud pop or bang coming from your garage, the most likely culprit is a torsion spring breaking. Just like people who stiffen and move around slower when the weather turns cold, steel, which is what your torsion springs are made of, also moves slower and stiffens. And, as your garage door springs age, they will wear, and since the torsion spring is coiled and under tremendous pressure when it breaks, it makes a very loud noise. If your garage door closes too quickly, is uneven when opening, or you hear a loud noise as described above, you should immediately call G & G Garage door for assistance. We have been installing and repairing garage doors and their components for more than 35 years, and we can get you taken care of fast. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail; just take a look at our reviews.
Garage Door Spring Repair
Did you know that your garage has springs that are wound tight and under tremendous pressure when your garage doors are closed? That’s why you’ll hear a loud pop when the garage door is down and the torsion spring breaks. When you engage the garage door opener to raise the garage door, the tension on the torsion spring is released. But, over time, your springs will begin to wear. With an average of 1500 cycles per year and extremes of heat and cold, your springs become stressed and cracked and then fail when you need them to work. The good news is you have G & G Garage Door on your side. One call to us, and we’ll inspect your garage door and repair or replace anything that isn’t operating properly.