Garage Door Spring Repair in Bellingham

Springs on garage doors can break and need garage door repair due to these reasons:

Wear and Tear: The most common cause is natural wear and tear. Residential garage door springs are designed for a certain number of cycles (one cycle is a complete opening and closing of the door). With frequent use, the metal in the springs weakens, eventually leading to a break.

Rust and Corrosion: If the springs are exposed to moisture and not properly maintained, they can develop rust. Rust weakens the metal and makes it more prone to breaking.

Improper Maintenance: Lack of regular maintenance, like lubricating the springs, can lead to increased friction and stress on the metal, hastening its failure.

Poor Quality Material: Springs made from lower quality metal may not last as long as higher quality ones, leading to a shorter lifespan and a higher likelihood of breaking.

Improper Installation or Adjustment: If springs are not properly installed or adjusted, they can experience uneven stress, which can cause premature failure.

Extreme Temperature Fluctuations: In some cases, extreme cold or heat can affect the metal in the springs, causing it to weaken over time.

Understanding these causes can prevent damage, while regular maintenance and high-quality springs may extend the life of garage door springs.

Yes, garage door springs weaken over time. The weakening of the springs is due to the natural wear and tear from repeated use. Each time the garage door is opened and closed, it completes a cycle, and the springs undergo a certain amount of stress during each cycle. Reasons for garage door springs weakening include:

• Cycle Lifespan: Springs are rated for a certain number of cycles (one cycle is a full open and close action). The more the garage door is used, the faster the springs will reach the end of their cycle lifespan.
• Rust and Corrosion: Exposure to moisture leads to rust, which weakens the metal in the springs and reduces their lifespan.
• Lack of Maintenance: Regular maintenance, like lubrication, helps to keep springs functioning at their best. Neglecting maintenance leads to faster wear and tear.
• Temperature Fluctuations: Extreme temperatures can affect the metal, causing springs to lose some of their tension over time.

As springs weaken, they become improperly balanced and can’t support garage door weight, leading to operation problems. Schedule regular maintenance checks and replace the springs when necessary.

Recognizing a failing garage door spring is important. Here are signs to look out for:

Door Won’t Open: If the garage door won’t open or only opens a few inches, it may be because of a broken spring.

Loud Noise: A loud bang from the garage is a sign that a spring has broken, due to a spring unwinding rapidly.

Gap in the Spring: Torsion springs, which are mounted above the door, will have a noticeable gap, typically about two inches, when they break.

Door Closes Too Quickly or Hard: If the door slams down when closing, it could indicate the springs are failing and not supporting the door’s weight properly.

Bent or Warped Top of the Door: When the door is opened, the top section may bend or appear warped if the springs are not functioning correctly.

Uneven Hanging or Crooked Opening: If your door opens or hangs unevenly, it could be a sign that one of the springs is failing or has broken.

Difficulty Lifting Manually: If the door is extremely heavy when you try to lift it manually, it suggests the springs are no longer doing their job of counterbalancing the weight.

Cables Appear Loose or Snapped: Broken springs cause the cables to become loose or even snap due to lack of tension support.

If you notice any of these signs, avoid using the door and contact us at Overhead Door™.  DIY repair shouldn’t be attempted on your own. 

When a garage door spring breaks, safety is paramount and it should be handled effectively using caution:

Stop Using the Door: Immediately cease using the garage door. A broken spring can cause the door to be unbalanced and potentially dangerous.

Secure the Door: Close the door if it’s safe to, so you prevent potential hazards or security issues. If the door is stuck open and can’t be safely closed, secure the area to prevent access or injury.

Do Not Attempt DIY Repairs: Garage door springs are under high tension and can be dangerous to work with. Don’t repair or replace the springs yourself.

Disconnect the Opener: If the garage door opener is connected, disengage it to prevent accidental operation which could cause further damage or injury.

Call a Professional: Contact us at Overhead Door™ door repair service so we can investigate your garage door springs. Our expert team can assess them and repair or replace them. We have the expertise, tools, and equipment to properly and safely fix them. We’re proud of our excellent customer service, licensed technicians and quality products. 

Avoid DIY Opening/Closing: Do not try to manually open or close the garage door. The door can be extremely heavy without the support of springs, and attempting to move it can result in injury or further damage.

Garage door springs sometimes fail depending on their quality, usage frequency, and maintenance. Springs are rated by cycles, with one cycle being a single opening and closing of the door. Most springs are rated for 10,000 cycles, translating to different lifespans based on usage. These are general estimates:

• Average Usage: For an average residential garage door, springs might last between 7 to 12 years, assuming around 4 daily cycles.
• High Usage: In homes where the garage door is used more frequently, like a main entry point, springs may wear out sooner, potentially within 4 to 6 years.
• Maintenance and Environment: Regular maintenance extends the life of springs. Climate, rust, and corrosion can accelerate wear.

Replacing a torsion spring on a garage door shouldn’t be a DIY task. Reasons for this include:

High Tension: Torsion springs are under immense tension. The tension allows them to lift heavy garage doors. If a spring snaps or is incorrectly handled, it can cause injuries or be fatal.

Specialized Tools Required: Replacing torsion springs requires specific tools, like winding bars not commonly found in standard toolkits. Using improper tools increases the accident risk.

Technical Skill and Knowledge: Proper installation of torsion springs requires technical knowledge and skills that our Overhead Door™ technicians have gained from years of experience. Incorrect installation leads to doors not functioning correctly and poses a safety risk.

Balancing the Door: Correctly balancing the garage door is important. An improperly balanced door is hazardous, while reducing the lifespan of the springs and your opener.

Risk of Property Damage: Mistakes in the replacement process could damage your garage door or your garage.

Due to these risks, you should hire a professional to replace garage door torsion springs. Our Overhead Door™ expert professionals have the experience to safely and correctly perform replacement. 

The time involved in fixing a garage door spring varies based on the spring system (torsion or extension), the garage door mechanism, and the experience of who’s repairing it. Professional technicians typically take around 30 minutes to 2 hours to fix a spring. For someone less experienced, it takes significantly longer and could be risky and dangerous. Hire our experts for garage door repairs so you don’t have to worry about safety and functionality.

While it might seem like an unnecessary expense, replacing both springs can save time, money, and ensure the safety and longevity of your garage door system. We recommended replacing both garage door springs if one breaks. Here’s why:

Even Wear and Tear: Garage door springs typically wear out at roughly the same rate. If one spring breaks the other is likely close to failing as well, if they were installed simultaneously. 

Balanced Tension: Replacing both springs ensures the tension is balanced on both sides of the door. This balance is important for the proper functioning and alignment of the door.

Cost-Effectiveness: Replacing both springs at the same time is more cost-effective. It saves on labor costs so a technician won’t need to return when the other spring eventually breaks.

Safety: Using a new spring with an old, worn spring can be unsafe. The older spring may break soon after, causing damage or injury.

Longevity of the Door Mechanism: Consistent,  balanced tension of new springs on both sides helps prolong the life of other garage door components.

To maximize the lifespan of your springs, lubricate every six months and regularly check for balance, wear, rust, or corrosion. Schedule maintenance checks. Avoid overuse and promptly replace worn springs. Choose high-quality springs for longevity and ensure they’re properly installed and tensioned. Address rust promptly and keep tracks aligned and clean to reduce strain on springs.

Overhead Door™ of Bellingham has serviced customers since 1959.  We take pride in being the most reputable and trusted brand of garage doors in the industry. Contact us today if you need your garage door springs or garage door opener repaired or replaced. Our highly-trained technicians also provide emergency garage door repairs and commercial garage door repairs as well as replacement.