One of the most dangerous and alarming occurrences that can happen with your garage door is when the springs break. From the immediate sound of the breaking spring to the anxiety of fixing it that follows closely behind, this can be an overwhelming experience.
Fortunately, it isn’t the end of the world, and the spring can be easily replaced with the help of a reputable, local expert like the friendly professionals at Sevan Systems. By better understanding how your garage door works, why it might break, and how to fix them, you will be in a better position to handle the situation the next time it occurs.
How Your Garage Door And Its Springs Work
Your door to your garage is raised and lowered with the help of your garage door springs. The springs gain tension as the garage door is lowered. When the garage door is raised, the spring helps lift it as the tension is released. It's important to remember that while your garage door is closed, its springs are under the most tension. Because of this, most garage door springs fail when the door is closed.
Occasionally, the spring will fail while the door is open, in which case the door may fall to the ground. For this reason, it's extremely important to never be underneath a garage door as it is being operated.
Common Causes Of Broken Springs In Garage Doors
Simple wear and tear is the most common cause of garage door spring failure. Most springs are designed with a 10,000 cycle rating, where a cycle is the garage door opening and closing. And while that might sound like a lot, keep in mind that simply moving your car out and back into the garage daily requires at least two cycles. These daily cycles can add up far more quickly than you might expect.
Torsion springs with a longer lifespan certified for 20,000 or more cycles would be wise if your garage door has turned into your "front door" and is used regularly. In addition to general wear and tear, rust and improper wear are also common causes of garage springs failing. Maintenance can help you extend the life of your springs and ensure that they are effectively lubricated to keep them from rusting.
Checking The Balance Of Your Garage Door
At least once every season, especially in the winter when most springs tend to break, you should check the balance of your garage door. Here's how:
- First, switch the door to manual mode by pulling the emergency release cable's red handle.
- Next, lift your garage door halfway up, step back a little, and let it go. You will know if your door requires adjustment, repair, or replacement if it sags or falls. Springs in good working order should hold the door completely still when released.
If your garage door does require adjustment or replacement, we strongly advise you to hire a professional such as the friendly folks at Sevan Systems. Our technicians possess the proper knowledge and tools for safely and effectively repairing or replacing your garage door without causing you or your home any harm or distress.
How To Open A Broken Garage Door
A garage door with a damaged spring can still be manually opened and closed by putting it into manual mode. Use extreme caution when manually opening and closing your garage door, and only put the door in manual mode when the door is down.
Even though it may require more arm power than the straightforward button press you're used to, the manual mode should allow it to function without issue until you can schedule a repair.
Let Us Help You Restore Your Garage Door
Don’t overlook or underestimate the importance of your garage door and its health or springs; call Sevan Systems today. We will send one of our technicians out to assess your door and spring type, provide you with a fair cost estimate, and quickly get your door back in working condition. Don’t let a busted spring take the joy out of your day. We provide service to Downtown Seattle, WA, and many surrounding areas. Contact us now.
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