When To Replace Garage Door Springs?

Standard garage door springs should last about 10,000 cycles. Depending on how often you use your garage doors, they will function properly somewhere between 7 and 12 years before they will need to be replaced. If you enter and exit from your home through your garage door twice a day, then that is four cycles per day. By dividing 10,000 by 4, and then by 365, you roughly get seven years as your answer. If you exit from your front door normally, then your garage door will last longer.

Garage doors are designed so that each panel works in harmony with very little noise when they are balanced. If your garage door has been around for seven years or more, then you might be wondering what signs you should look out for that a spring has snapped or the door is getting to the point where it should be replaced. The following tips will help you know when it is time to call a garage door repair specialist.

Your Garage Door Doesn’t Open

Although the issue could be with the garage door opener or the springs, you will need to schedule an inspection with an overhead door specialist who can diagnose the problem and replace the necessary parts.

Signs of Wear And Tear

Visually inspect the springs to see if they are worn out or stretched out. These are signs that they need to be replaced. You should also check other components in your garage door system, such as the pulleys, cables, rollers, and mounting hardware, since any damage to these other components can put stress on your springs.

Manually Open The Door

If you can manually open your garage door easily with very little resistance, and the door remains open after it’s been lifted all the way up, then this is a good sign that the springs are in good condition. First, lower your garage door and disconnect the automatic opener system, then start to lift. If you are having difficulty lifting it open, or it starts to come down, then you are having issues with the springs and should contact a professional to repair them.

The Reverse Test

Modern garage doors are equipped with a safety feature that forces them to reverse the closing process if there is something in the way. This protects children, pets, and property, so this test checks the springs when they reverse. First, open the garage door fully. Then stand close to the door and use the transmitter to start closing the garage door. As the garage door is closing, grab onto the bottom of the door with your arms outstretched. This should trigger the reversing mechanisms. If the door has difficulty stopping and reversing itself, then immediately move your hands to protect your safety, and then call a garage door repair specialist to have your safety mechanism and the springs checked.

Hiring A Professional Is The Right Choice

https://www.jsgaragedoorservice.com/garage-door-repair-hampton/, a garage door repair specialist in Virginia, suggests hiring a professional garage door technician rather than fixing the problem yourself. Not only do they have the tools and training to do the job right, but often they can send a technician out any time of the day or night.