These are all signs that you may have a broken garage door torsion spring. Torsion springs are essential for a functioning garage door system. On average, most garage doors weight between 150 to 250 pounds, and springs are what lift this weight. Without properly working springs, your garage door will not go up, and attempting to use it can result in damage to numerous parts of the opener.
If you notice any of the signs listed above, do not attempt to lift the door or replace the springs yourself. Both actions are very dangerous, and only trained, experienced professionals should work with torsion springs. Our team here at Prestige Garage Door Services is skilled at diagnosing and repairing broken garage door springs, and we carefully assess the damages to recommend the correct springs for your door. Choosing the wrong springs can break your opener and even cause your garage door to come off the tracks, and experience is required to determine the proper springs to use.
All torsion springs have a lifespan that is determined by the number of times they can withstand a garage door opening and closing. We call this a “cycle,” and we are happy to recommend the best torsion springs for your particular needs, including how many times a day you use your garage door.
These are all signs that you may have a broken garage door extension spring. These springs are typically used on smaller garage doors, and they are attached to the brackets that support the tracks on the ceiling. When the door goes down, the extension springs extend. When one spring is broken, the door will no longer work properly.
Most extension springs have a lifespan of about 15,000 cycles. For the average garage door user, this equates to about 7 to 12 years. While some springs snap suddenly, others may lose their tension over time, causing the spring to become elongated. When this happens, the spring will not properly relax when the door is up. You may notice gaps in the spring, rendering it useless. Forcing the garage to go up will overwork and damage the opener, causing more issues.
Like torsion springs, these garage door springs should only be serviced or replaced by a trained, experienced professional. The pros here at Prestige Garage Door Services calibrate replacement springs for the weight of your particular door and have the tools and knowledge necessary to replacement them safely.