Garage doors are responsible for keeping your possessions and home safe from harm. When their springs become untrustworthy, however, they can become a threat themselves. If you understand when you have a faulty spring set, you can prevent this from happening. Here are a few signs you should replace the garage door springs.

When to Replace Garage Door Springs

1. Old Age

Like all products, the springs in garage doors have a limited life span. Even if you've properly maintained them for years, the passing of time will eventually wear them out. On average, expect these items to last between seven and nine years. If yours are reaching this age, you should call a maintenance technician to inspect your garage door. Keep in mind that the amount of use these springs get can greatly lower their life span. If opened multiple times a day, they might only be good for up to six years.

2. Stretched Out

Without touching the springs, inspect them each year; you can tell a lot by how they look. For example, a healthy, reliable piece will be tightly coiled and maintain a high level of tension. On the other hand, a spring that needs to be replaced will look more lax. If yours is stretched out or holds a slight amount of tension, it might be too worn to function properly.

3. Poor Performance

Garage doors should reliably lift and close at the click of a button. If yours is experiencing interruptions in this process—such as coming to a full stop halfway up or down—you could have poor or old springs. You might also notice the door is sitting crooked on the driveway; this could occur when only one side of the spring set is worn down.

If you notice any of these signs of a faulty garage door spring, contact Southside Garage Door for repairs. You should never touch a garage door spring—they store a lot of pressure, and any mistake can lead to serious injuries. Located in Rosemount, MN, Southside Garage Door has been serving residents of the surrounding area for over 25 years and can perform the job safely. Along with spring replacement, they also provide garage door installation and repairs. For more information on their services, visit their website, or call (651) 423-7444 today to schedule an appointment for maintenance.