Chances are high that your garage door springs are something you don’t give much thought to. Every day, you click a button and your garage door opens and closes with ease. 

But what happens when you click that button and it doesn’t open or close as you need it to?

There are a variety of reasons this could be happening but today we are going to talk about one of the most common culprits of garage door malfunctions. The garage door springs. 

How Will You Know If Your Garage Door Has a Broken Spring? 

The first sign of your garage door having a broken spring is that the garage door will start functioning strangely. The garage door will have trouble opening and closing correctly, and you may see springs swaying if they are disconnected. 

Another indicator that your garage door spring may have broken is if the garage door is bent. With the spring not supporting the usual amount of weight, the garage door takes on more weight than it’s supposed to handle. 

You will also notice differences in how the garage door closes when the spring is not adequately handling the garage door’s weight. The door will close faster than expected and not move as smoothly. 

The final noticeable sign of broken springs or springs that are not functioning as they should is that nothing happens if you try to open the door with the emergency rope. 

Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?

The main reason garage door springs break is the most easily guessed — wear and tear. Every time you open and close your garage door, your springs are being put to work. For these reasons, garage door springs in Ohio have a life cycle of about 10,000 cycles or about 5-7 years. 

Rust

When rust starts spreading in the spring, the lifespan decreases drastically. Rust will increase the amount of friction the coils cause while expanding and retracting during cycles. Lubricating the springs with a silicone-based lubricant a few times a year can increase the lifespan and help the cycles remain smooth. 

Improper Maintenance

Proper maintenance will help prolong the lifespan of the springs and give you insight into when they start failing. All springs will fail eventually but keeping them lubricated, cleaned, and properly cared for will help longevity. Checking the garage door balance is another task that needs to be done seasonally at a minimum. Winter is a typical season for spring failure because of the cold and tension combined with more moisture in the air. 

Replacing Broken Garage Door Springs in Ohio

Garage door springs can be purchased online or at a local hardware store, but replacing them properly is a big job. This job is best done by a professional. Our team at Springfield Overhead Door will ensure your garage door springs are replaced safely and properly in order to give them the longest life span possible.