Garage door springs bear the weight of the door when you open and close it. Because springs take on more stress than other parts of the door, they are usually the first components to break. A garage door with broken or malfunctioning springs is a safety hazard as it could unexpectedly slam shut, causing injury to home occupants or damage to your vehicle. However, spring replacement is risky business and should be left in the hands of professionals. It’s critical to know the signs of worn-down garage door springs, so you could call for an expert to repair your garage door without delay.

What Are the Two Types of Garage Door Springs?

Overhead garage doors are either use torsion springs or the extension springs. Torsion springs are positioned inside a garage’s wall and are parallel to the door. As a garage door closes, they store energy by uncoiling. This energy is released when the door is lifted. Owners of commercial garage doors often prefer torsion springs because they are generally more durable.

Conversely, extension springs are located perpendicular to the door. When a garage door closes, energy is absorbed as they extend. This energy is released when the door is opened. Garage doors with extension springs are usually installed in homes because of their relative affordability.

How to Tell If Your Garage Door Spring Needs Replacing?

If you have torsion springs, you’ll know you need spring replacement if your garage door feels heavy when you raise it manually, or it doesn’t stay up on its own. Disengage your automatic door opener to test it effectively. 

For extension springs, you may also do the same test in addition to checking for perceivable failure signs. Gaps in the coils mean the springs have given out, and they cannot supply the required tension. A misaligned garage door could also mean that either the left or the right springs are already worn down, and they can’t move the door properly anymore.

Faulty garage door springs can be dangerous, so trust Garage Door Service: Paul Holscher, Mike Panaro to perform spring replacement, in addition to other garage door installation and repair services. Since 1987, they have provided outstanding service to customers in and around Cincinnati, OH. Same-day emergency services are also available. Contact them online for a free estimate on new doors, and call (513) 347-3000 to schedule an appointment.