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Garage Door Spring Replacement: How, When And Why
The parts of the garage door that do a massive job are subject to strain and damages.
Typically, garage door springs are pretty exposed to the damages, mainly because it is under a lot of tension following its job of carrying the weight and lifting the garage door during its operation, along with the cables.
When they break, they need to be repaired and ultimately replaced.
A good garage door repair service is handy in this aspect.
Nowadays, especially in Mississauga, Markham, Newmarket, and Toronto, this type of service can easily be accessed.
If the garage door refuses to open or close, or crash down without a word of warning, there is a good chance that there is something wrong with the springs.
After checking, contact a garage door repair company immediately and ask for help.
While you wait, here is a guide on how, when, and why you should replace the springs on your garage door.
Why?
Basically, two types of garage door springs are employed by typical doors: the torsion and extension springs.
These springs are under constant tension from its job of lifting and carrying the door.
As such, when they break, they pose problems and accidents that are potentially hazardous and dangerous to children and other family members.
There is no choice but to replace it in the long run.
If you see any damages and potential malfunctions, it is good to prevent it by replacing it immediately.
When?
The average life of the springs is 6-7 years, give or take.
For some, it could only take 3-4 years before it gives up.
Several signs indicate that the springs are in need of replacement.
Here is how to find out if they need to be replaced:
1. Open the garage door manually.
Try to disengage the door from the automatic way of opening it.
This can be done by disconnecting it from the power source and pulling the emergency cord at the back.
When the door is opened manually, it should stay up without exerting a massive effort in keeping it up.
2. Move it in a mid-level position.
The idea is to raise the door halfway in between being fully raised and lowered.
Check to see if the door stays up without any external force.
The sign that indicates that the springs are close to breaking is when the door feels heavy when it is put in that situation.
If the door is considerably light, however, the size of the springs may not be appropriate for the door.
Consider replacing it.
3. Check any gaps in the coils.
If there are gaps noticed in the coils, the material may be wearing off and may not be able to produce enough tension for the door.
4. Check if the door is properly aligned and balanced.
If it is, then it means the current springs cannot lift the door as efficiently as before, therefore the door cannot function its operation properly.
5. Look for signs of wearing and tear.
This is a sure way that the springs are getting old and cannot do its job anymore.
How?
Replacing the springs on your own can be tedious.
It is always better to ask for a garage door repair professional to handle it on their own.
1. Observe safety first.
In doing repairs, make sure that the proper protocols are followed, and the door is conditioned for the operation.
Don’t forget to disconnect it from power.
2. Study the different types of garage springs.
Those that will do the repairs must have a thorough knowledge of the kinds of springs and how they work, only by knowing the nature of these springs that the person can replace it effectively.
3. Find the proper replacements in a hardware store.
Make sure to get the proper size and the appropriate type of springs that need a replacement for the garage door.
4. Follow the instructions very carefully.
There are a lot of instructions online for a do-it-yourself garage door repair.
You can follow it step by step with great caution.
Don’t forget to select a reliable manual for the repair.
If it is too tedious, calling an expert is easier.
