Has it become difficult to raise and lower your garage door? Do the springs on your garage door make horrible noise? Do you notice visible damage or are they obviously broken?
You need new springs. The first thing to understand is garage door spring repair is not a DIY job. It’s a dangerous repair best left to a professional.
The 2 Types of Garage Door Springs
There are essentially two types of garage door springs: torsion and extension. Torsion springs are tightly wound coils of metal that use torque to lift the garage door up and down. These springs require fewer parts and are less hazardous if they break than extension springs. Nevertheless, be careful.
Extension springs expand and contract when the door is raised and lower. They attach to the tracks that run along the ceiling on each side of the door. These require a great deal of caution and usually include safety cables in case they break.
Visual Inspection
You should visually inspect the springs from time to time. Look for rust, broken or brittle springs. If you notice any damage, don’t repair the garage door spring itself. Call a professional garage door repair company.
Safety First
If your springs break, do not disconnect the automatic opener. Otherwise, your door could come crashing to the ground with the full capacity of its weight. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if children, pets, or equipment is underneath.
Why Garage Door Spring Repair Can Be Dangerous
These springs are under an incredible amount of tension. It is that tension that makes raising and lowering a heavy door feel so easy. Never work with the springs yourself. If these springs should break, they can cause serious bodily injury and a trip to the emergency room.