While garage doors are now available in an increasing variety of materials, styles, and sizes, most share a common component: the garage door spring. Large and powerful, garage door springs are designed to hold the door firmly in place so that it can open and close in a safe, controlled manner. The weight of the garage doors, especially those that are very large or are manufactured with heavier materials, like wood or steel, creates a constant stress on the springs that can result in wear or damage, which can impact the door's ability to operate safely.
Homeowners can use the following information to help them understand the signs of a developing garage door spring repair issue before the door becomes unstable or unsafe for their family to use.
Changes in operation speed
One of the first noticeable signs of developing wear or damage to the garage door spring is often a slowing in the speed at which the door opens and closes. Garage doors that begin to require more time to complete their opening or closing actions may be showing evidence that the tension of the torsion spring or springs has loosened and requires more time for the door to complete its upward or downward cycle. If the spring cannot be safely adjusted to restore proper tension, it will need to be replaced immediately in order to ensure that the door does not experience a sudden failure where the door is allowed to fall without warning.
Squeaking, grinding, or banging sounds
A garage door in good repair should be relatively quiet, with only the faint hum of the motor during operation. Homeowners who notice that their garage door is beginning to emit other types of noise should immediately suspect that a developing repair issue is occurring with one or both of the door's torsion springs. Squeaking noises typically signal a need for professional garage door maintenance, such as cleaning, lubricating, or making some type of adjustments.
Grinding or banging sounds are likely to be a more ominous sign of a developing spring repair need. Torsion springs that make grinding or banging noises are often associated with seriously damaged or compromised springs that could pose a serious safety issue.
Torsion spring repair issues should not be attempted as a DIY project. Garage door service technicians have skills, tools, and special equipment to ensure that the weight of the garage door is safely supported while the torsion springs are being adjusted, repaired, or replaced.
Reach out to a garage door service near you to learn more.
Share24 November 2021
Does your garage door open and close as it should? How long have you been having troubles with your garage door? If you have been putting off getting repairs on your garage door, now is the time to step up and get it operating properly. Find some troubleshooting tips and tricks that can help you pinpoint the problem and possibly make the repairs without the assistance of a professional repair technician. You will also learn about the repair tasks that do require professional assistance and get an idea of what each of those services will cost you to have done.
