**How to Tackle Fixing Garage Door Springs**
Garage door springs hold a house’s biggest moving part in place. So, when they break, it’s a big problem. Fixing them saves time and money. Here’s a secret: springs come in two types—torsion and extension. Torsion springs sit above the door, while extension springs flank the sides. It’s crucial to pick the right one. **Before starting, always unplug the opener** to avoid accidents. **Springs can be dangerous**, like a coiled snake. Certain springs can launch with the force of a hundred pounds! Always wear safety gear. Data shows calling a professional costs $200-$300, but doing it yourself costs as little as $50. For DIY, secure the door with C-clamps and follow each step carefully. This task is perfect for handy homeowners, skilled at light repairs. Enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done!
Fixing *garage door springs* isn’t easy at all. They’re like the muscles lifting that heavy door up and down. Without them, it would feel like lifting a ton of bricks! About one homeowner out of **ten** deals with broken springs each year. That’s a lot, right? Springs are under tons of pressure, so they can snap like a twig if not handled right. Picture a slingshot’s elastic band breaking! Safety first: professionals always wear protective gear. Ever seen how they use bars to wind those springs tight? It’s like tuning a giant guitar. For most folks, it’s best left to the pros—DIY might cost more in the end. Fun fact: a healthy spring lasts about **10,000 cycles!** For a family using the garage twice a day, that’s around **14 years!** Treating them well extends their life. Fixing springs isn’t just a repair, it’s an investment in *peace of mind*. Curious about how it all works? Dive deeper into the world of garage mechanics!
Imagine going out for a long drive on the road with the family to do some grocery, or heading out to get to work.
Afterward, you come home after a long and tiring day of driving, doing errands, and working.
As you park on the front of the garage door to wait for it to open, no matter how many tries you do, it does not open up for you.
Frustrating, isn’t it?
The first thing you’d want to do is inspect what is going on, from investigating if you have forgotten to turn on the garage door’s system.
The next thing you would do is check out the batteries if they still have some juice.
As you continue inspecting, you notice a spring sticking out on the garage door’s tracks.
This garage door spring is an essential part.
Knowing more about it can help you to understand the mechanics of the garage door spring better.
There is no need to immediately call the nearest garage door repair; surely, there are some available around Mississauga, Toronto, Markham, and New Market.
Before you do call the garage door repair about that broken garage door spring, you should get to know some of the crucial details of a garage door spring and how it works.
There are two garage door spring types.
The first thing you should do is familiarize yourself with what type of garage door springs you are dealing with.
Knowing the difference between the two kinds of garage door springs gives you knowledge and familiarity on the various components of a garage door.
Torsion Springs
These springs mount over the garage door’s opening.
Torsion springs help in winding the garage door to open and close.
However, when these springs are exposed to careless repeated use, they tend to weaken and break.
Extension Springs
These springs are affiliated with a garage door’s cables, mostly found on a garage door’s underside.
Extension springs differ from torsion springs in terms of functionality and shape.
Extension springs don’t rely on torque.
Unlike torsion springs, extension springs stretch out to help open and close a garage door, rather than wind like torsion springs.
These are just some of the two major spring types you will encounter upon inspecting a garage door.
The extension and torsion springs may look alike in terms of size, but they each serve their purpose in helping homeowners to make life convenient through the works of opening and closing the garage door.
How many times do you need to replace the garage door springs?
As an owner of a garage door, it is crucial to pay attention to the performance of your garage door spring and keep it in check.
You may have encountered advice on the internet or upon purchasing the garage door opener from the shop to have the springs checked once a year.
However, checking the springs once a year may not be that effective.
It is advisable to have your garage door system checked often.
The garage door springs have life cycles.
These cycles can go up to 20,000 cycles and remain stable for almost three to 13 years, as long as you continue to check up on the spring system most of the time.
It is essential to check the springs four times a year for proper maintenance.
Is doing DIY spring repair preferable than professional repair?
It may seem like a good idea for you to get the job done on your own.
You get to save money and learn more things on the matter of garage door repair.
However, as streetwise as it may be, removing and replacing garage door springs can be a dangerous task.
Unless the spring is only in need of lubrication, you can deal with it instantly.
Save yourself from getting an injured eye or a broken limb by calling a professional instead when the task of getting your broken garage door spring repair gets complicated.
Take note that garage door springs deal with massive high tension along with your heavy garage door, always proceed with caution when handling the matter.
