When it comes to how your garage door operates, the garage door springs are doing most of the hard work and heavy lifting. For this reason, when a garage door is not opening or closing properly, it is often the first thing you should check. 

In many cases, a broken garage door is actually just broken or damaged garage door springs. 

So why do garage doors break?

What Types of Garage Door Springs Do You Have?

Before diving into why garage door springs break, it is important to know which type of door springs you have. There are a few different types of springs that are found most common in traditional overhead doors. 

  • Extension spring- This system is mounted on either side of the garage door track. The springs extend and contract with the assistance of cables and pulleys when the door is in motion.
  • Torsion spring- This system uses one or two (depending on door size) tightly wound springs. The springs are located horizontally on a steel shaft and have cable drums at both ends. The torsion spring is mounted to the header wall above the garage door. Most commonly it has a three-pronged support system with a center and two end bearing plates at either end.

Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?

Whether your garage door uses extension or torsion springs, they are responsible for doing most of the work of raising and lowering your overhead door. The springs gain tension when the garage door is lowered, as a result, most garage door springs break when the garage door is lowered or shut. 

  • Wear and Tear

Most commonly garage door springs break from simple wear and tear. Most springs are manufactured and engineered for an estimated 10,000 cycles. One cycle would be your garage door opening and coming back down. This may seem like a lot but when you think about how many times in one day this happens, it will add up quickly. 

  • Rust

If rust accumulates on your garage door springs it can greatly decrease the lifespan. Rust will increase the friction on the coils of the springs. Additionally, corrosion on the spring itself wicked the springs and led to failure. Spraying down the spring with a silicone-based lubricant three or four times a year can greatly assist in keeping it well-lubricated and extend its life expectancy.

  • Improper Maintenance

All garage door springs will eventually fail when they reach the end of their lifespan, but proper maintenance can extend that time greatly. In addition to lubricating the spring with white lithium grease a few times a year, check the garage door balance at least once a season, especially in the winter when most springs fail. To check balance:

  • Pull the emergency release cord (it has a red handle) to place the door in manual mode.
  • Lift the door up halfway and let go of it. Springs in good working order should keep it completely still; if the door sags and falls a bit, the springs are starting to show signs of wear and may need adjustment or replacement.

New Garage Door Springs in Ohio

We highly recommend when your garage door springs break or start to show signs of failure, you contact a professional garage door technician. The best way to properly replace garage door springs and ensure your family’s safety will be to have them professionally replaced. For new garage door springs in Ohio contact our team at Springfield, Overhead Door.