Most garage doors either have one large garage door spring in the top center of the garage door or two smaller springs in the upper left and right hand corners of the doors. The springs help to balance and hold the door when it is opening or closing. As the door opens, the springs expand, much like a rubber band does when stretched. When the door closes, the springs contract, much like a rubber band does when it is no longer being stretched. But over time, this constant stretching and contracting weighs on the spring and it may need to be repaired or replaced. If you are having issues with your garage door springs, you may wonder if it needs to be repaired or replaced. Here are a few of the signs that can help guide you toward the best option.
Squeaking or Squealing
If it sounds like your springs are squeaking or squealing when you open or close the garage door, they may simply need to be cleaned or lubricated. Dirt, dust and even rust can appear on the spring, causing the noises you hear. However, if you have cleaned and lubricated the springs and you still hear these noises, the spring may be telling you it is at the end of its lifespan and should be replaced.
Balance Issues
Your garage door springs help to balance your garage door and support its weight as the door is opening or closing. If you notice that the door looks to be raising or lowering unevenly, the springs may need to be repaired. In this case, refitting the springs can help to balance them out again, helping to extend their life and balance your garage door again.
Stretched Out Springs
Your garage door springs should bounce back into shape when your garage door closes. However, if you look up at the spring and see it hanging, it is likely stretched out. There is no way to repair a garage door spring that has lose its elasticity and is stretched out. The only option for this is to replace the spring. If you have a system with two springs, both should be replaced at the same time, even if only one is stretched out. This helps to maintain balance for your garage door.
While you can buy replacement garage door springs, it is recommended that you leave garage door spring repairs and replacement to the professionals. Garage doors can be heavy, and if you make a mistake, the door can collapse, causing damage to the door or causing injury to you. A repair professional can help you determine if your springs need repair or replacement, helping your garage door and the parts to live a long life.
Hi there, I am Mel Phillips. Welcome to my website about garage door repair. There are many things that can go wrong with garage doors when they enter a dire state of disrepair. You can hire a repair expert to service your garage door on a regular basis to keep those problems at bay. Your garage door repair expert will assess the condition of your garage door and its related components to create a service plan. On this site, I will share the tools and techniques used to inspect and repair garage doors. Please come back again soon to learn more about this topic.