Did you know garages boost the value of your Sacramento home by a whopping 60-80%? The garage door spring is an integral part of keeping that garage functioning. It’s important to know how long a typical garage door spring lasts and when it should be replaced.
From what the garage spring does to why you should invest in maintenance, we’ll go over everything you need to know about garage door springs. Think of this as your go-to guide to the all-important garage door spring.
What Do Garage Door Springs Do?
Your garage door is an investment that should last for many years. If you’re thinking about replacing your springs, it’s important to know how long they will last and when it’s time to replace them.
You may not realize it, but your garage door spring is one of the most important parts of your garage door. It works by compressing and decompressing to raise and lower your garage door. In order to understand how long they last, we need to understand how they work.
A steel cable runs through each end of the spring and attaches to either side of your garage door track system. When you pull or push down on one end of this cable, you’re applying force on top of another piece attached underneath that pulls down on both sides simultaneously. This causes compression which lifts up both sides of the garage door equally fast.
When Is it Time for Garage Door Spring Replacement?
The average life expectancy of a garage door spring can vary depending on several factors. The quality of the spring is one consideration and how often your garage door is used is another. The more you use your garage, the faster the spring will wear down.
In general, if there are any problems with opening or closing your garage door, it’s likely time for a spring replacement. This includes when it sticks or gets stuck while closing.
If you notice that one side of the door doesn’t move at all when opening or closing, then that’s another sign that something isn’t right with your springs. During an inspection, your garage professional will notice any excessive wear on one or more of the springs.
Most Common Reasons for Garage Door Spring Repairs
A broken garage door spring is a fairly common occurrence, and it can be caused by a wide variety of things. One problem that happens most often is when a spring breaks and loses its tension, causing your garage door to drop or not open properly.
A spring failure will also cause problems. This occurs when a garage door has suffered from repeated stress on its springs. This will result in them becoming weaker until they eventually snap off completely.
If your garage is located near salt water or other corrosive elements your springs could rust. Rainwater runoff from nearby roads or sidewalks could also get into your garage doors’ moving parts over time and cause rusting damage that weakens them over time. Eventually, they will break completely off their hinges.
Speak to an Expert on Your Garage Door Spring Today
The longer you wait to replace your garage door spring, the more likely it is that your garage will be compromised. These small parts play a big role in how your garage functions.
If you’re experiencing issues with your Sacramento garage door, fill out the contact form here. We can help determine whether or not it’s time for new springs or other parts of the system.
