Garage doors are among the most overlooked components of a home. As long as they open and shut as desired, you don’t really think too much about them until they stop working. Garage doors can experience a wide range of problems over time, one of which is worn or damaged springs. When a garage door spring breaks, it not only renders your garage door inoperable, but it can also cause serious injuries or property damage. Check out this guide to understand the dangers of garage door springs and what you can do to keep your household safe.
What Are Garage Door Springs?
Garage door springs play a vital role in the operation of your garage door. They enable the door to open and close easily and smoothly by countering its weight. These springs wind up and store potential energy when the door is lowered and release it when you open the door. This reduces strain and wear and tear on the motor and other components. The condition of your springs can have a significant impact on the safety and longevity of your garage door.
Types of Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs come in two main types: torsion springs and extension springs. Torsion springs are mounted above the opening of a garage door and use a twisting force to open it. Due to their stability during operation, they’re the preferred option for heavier doors. They generally provide smoother motion and last longer than other types of springs.
Extension springs are located on either side of a garage door, and they stretch and contract to lift and close the door. These springs are commonly used in homes with lighter garage doors. Although they’re usually more affordable than torsion springs, they need to be inspected and maintained more often due to the safety hazards associated with their high tension.
Common Causes of Spring Failures
Understanding the common causes of spring failures can help you take precautions to avoid potential hazards. Below are a few reasons why garage door springs break.
Heavy Use
Using your garage door excessively can place extra strain on the springs and cause them to wear out faster. With average use of three or four times a day, garage door springs have a life expectancy of seven to nine years, according to industry experts. So, knowing how often you use your garage door and how old it is can give you a rough idea of when your springs may start to fail.
Environmental Effects
Extreme temperatures can cause the metal parts of your garage door springs to expand or contract, and high humidity levels can lead to corrosion. When exposed to these conditions, the springs can become weak and sustain damage.
Poor Installation
Poor installation is another common factor that contributes to garage door spring failure. If your garage door has been improperly installed or adjusted, it may result in misalignment and uneven weight distribution. This can cause the springs to experience accelerated wear and tear and break sooner than expected.
Potential Injuries and Accidents Caused by Springs
If your garage door springs break, it poses several safety risks. It can damage property or cause injuries or even death to somebody in the vicinity. Let’s look at the potential injuries and accidents that can result from garage door spring failure.
Broken Springs Leading to Sudden Falls
One common garage door spring danger is the possibility of the door falling unexpectedly due to malfunctioning or broken springs. Say you’re in your garage working under your vehicle and someone opens the garage door without being aware of the faulty spring system. If you don’t have a reverse mechanism in the door or opener system, there would be nothing preventing the door from falling on you. A garage door has an average weight of 200 to 400 pounds, so it can cause serious injuries, permanent disabilities, or even death if it crashes onto you.
Dangerous Repairs and Replacements
One thing that makes garage door springs dangerous is that they can become projectiles when they snap. These springs are something like a loaded gun, storing energy when they’re stretched and releasing it when they retract. Broken springs can fly off their brackets and hit you at high speed, potentially knocking you unconscious or severely injuring you.
If you don’t have specialized tools for repairing garage door springs, you should leave the task to a professional. Using regular tools such as screwdrivers increases the chances of the springs flying off unexpectedly.
When To Call a Professional Technician
Now that you know what happens when a garage door spring breaks, it’s essential to understand how to keep your springs safe. Routine maintenance tasks, such as applying lubrication, tightening hardware, and cleaning the tracks, can go a long way in ensuring garage door spring safety.
To be safe, it is recommended that you hire a professional technician for all your emergency garage door repair and regular maintenance needs. In addition to servicing your garage door, a professional will thoroughly inspect the entire system on every visit. This can help you identify any existing or potential problems and fix them before they become a safety threat.
Contact Overhead Garage Door for Spring Repair
Contact us at Overhead Garage Door if you’re looking for reliable garage door spring repair and maintenance services in the greater Chicago area. Our company provides all the services you need to keep your garage door in tip-top condition, from spring replacement to motor repair.
Image by Mitch Barrie is licensed with ATTRIBUTION-SHAREALIKE 2.0 GENERIC (CC BY-SA 2.0)