Top Reasons Why Garage Door Springs Break — and How to Avoid It. Garage door springs are essential for opening and closing your garage door — if they break, you’ll know it. Signs of broken springs include your door dropping quickly, making a loud noise, only opening a few inches or becoming crooked when you try to open it. But why do broken garage door springs happen? Understanding the causes behind garage door spring failures can help you prevent costly repairs and ensure the longevity of your garage door.
Here are the most common reasons garage door springs break and preventive measures you can take to avoid issues.
Wear and Tear
Garage door springs help lift and lower your garage door. They can last up to 14 years, but all the heavy lifting eventually weakens them. If you use your garage door often or the door is extra heavy, the springs may wear down faster than normal.
Some signs of a worn-out garage door spring include:
- Loose or broken cables: Garage door cables balance the door’s weight but may become loose when the springs wear out. Check your springs first if your door is unbalanced or if you see a loose or broken cable.
- Squeaky noise: Springs usually make a loud squeaking noise when they get too old and worn out. If some lubricant doesn’t fix the noise, it might be time to replace your springs.
- Door won’t lift: A tell-tale sign of a broken or old spring is when the garage door won’t open or only opens slightly off the ground. Your door may struggle to open for a while before the springs eventually give out.
Rust and Corrosion
Rust and corrosion shorten the life span of any metal product, and springs are no exception. Over time, a rusted garage door spring can become brittle due to corrosion. Rust also increases friction on the spring’s moving coils whenever you open and close your garage door. Both the corrosion and pressure will drastically shorten the life span of your garage door spring.
Although rusting can happen in any environment, it is most common in the following conditions:
- Humid climate: Areas with regular climate variations and high humidity cause metal springs to rust faster.
- Insufficient ventilation: Garage spaces with poor ventilation trap moisture and create a favorable environment for rust formation.
- Lack of lubricant: Springs need adequate lubrication to perform well and last longer. Without lubrication, the increased friction can cause the spring to wear down quickly and form rust.
Incorrect Installation
Sometimes, the only reason a spring has a short life span is because of poor installation. This often happens when the person who installed it has little experience with garage doors. An incorrectly installed door may have:
- Wrong components: Inexperienced door installers might choose the wrong size and type of spring. An incorrect spring will wear down faster than usual or fail because of high tension. Even strong springs can cause damage when paired with the wrong door.
- Balance issues: Garage doors require specific techniques and knowledge to install. If the spring tension is wrong, the door may hang unevenly and have problems opening and closing.
- Low-quality materials: People often use cheaper materials for their garage doors to save money. However, this mistake can cost more money in the long run because the materials need to be replaced more frequently.
Poor Maintenance
It can be hard to tell when your garage door springs are struggling, especially when your door continues to open and close as expected. If left unaddressed, the spring can quickly degrade and break unexpectedly, leaving you with a garage door that won’t open and possibly a costly repair bill. This is why you want to regularly inspect springs for problems and address them as soon as possible.
Even though garage door springs eventually fail, proper garage door spring maintenance can slow the process. Regular inspections can also help you catch any issues before they become more serious. Use these tips to correctly maintain your garage door spring and help it last longer:
- Apply lubricant: Lubricate your garage door spring with lithium or silicone-based grease about twice a year to ensure it operates smoothly. The lubricant will reduce friction and rust formation and prevent squeaking. You can also apply lubricant to the hinges, rollers, bearing plates and tracks.
- Check door balance: Balanced garage doors open and close with ease. If the spring or other components wear out, the door may become unbalanced. When this happens, you might notice that the motor is straining or the door opens slowly, slams shut or leans to one side. Call a professional to repair your door when you see signs of misalignment.
- Prevent rust: If you live in a rainy or humid area, you may want to install vents and an exhaust fan to improve air circulation and prevent rust from accumulating. Address rust as soon as you notice it by scraping it off with a wire brush and using a rust dissolver.
- Schedule inspections: Inspecting your garage door at least once a year can help keep your garage door springs working longer. While you can do this yourself, it can help to get a technician to come and look at your door. They’ll easily spot any problems and provide solutions to manage them going forward. This way, you can prevent premature breakage and replace parts less often.
- Call a professional: It can be tempting to try DIY approaches to solve garage door problems, but repairing them can be dangerous without the right experience. You might also fix the wrong problem, forfeit your warranty or cause more damage if you do things incorrectly. Calling a professional is the best option to fix your broken spring.
VIP Garage Door, USA is your solution to your garage door insulation problems. We have years of experience in garage door installation and replacement using only the best-quality doors. If you’re considering upgrading your garage door, call us or request service in your area, and we’ll discuss your door options.