Hutchinson, Minnesota
(320) 300-0370
Broken Garage Door Springs
Information on Garage Door Springs
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Be Safe!
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW!
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What Are Garage Door Springs
The garage door spring holds the entire weight of your garage door. Since it is the largest moving part of your home, your spring is holding more or less 300 lbs of weight that makes your garage door lighter. This enables you to easily lift your garage door in case of emergency and during a power outage.
Your spring also distributes the weight evenly throughout your garage door. This allows your door to have a more balanced movement whenever it is being used.
The two types of garage door springs, torsion and extension, look like any regular spring. Basically, they are long metal coils that lift the entire garage door. However, what’s different between the two is how the garage door springs operate. Torsion springs twist while extension springs expand and compress.
You typically find the torsion springs wrapped around a bar above the door. Meanwhile, extension springs are secured by safety cables and they are on both sides of the upper track.
For some time, extension springs were the standard for most garage doors. However, these days, it’s more common to find torsion springs in newer garage doors. In most cases, if anyone’s getting work done on an older garage door, professionals recommend replacing extension springs with torsion springs.
Importance of Garage Door Springs
Without springs, garage door openers are practically useless. Garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds and the springs are responsible for lifting them.
As extension springs expand and as torsion springs twist, they support the door’s weight by providing a reliable counterbalance. This mechanism controls how the door opens and closes. Without the springs, the opener wouldn’t have the power it needs to lift the door.
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Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?
1. Rust
While the coils move back and forth, rust can increase the amount of friction on the parts. What’s more, corrosion on the spring can weaken the coils and eventually cause them to snap sooner than they’re supposed to.
2. Daily Wear and Tear
Garage door springs eventually fail because of the daily wear and tear. The common lifespan of most springs is about 10,000 cycles. One cycle is equivalent to the garage door going up and coming back down to close.
If you’re not the only one coming in and out of the garage, then the daily cycles can quickly add up.
3. Lack of Proper Maintenance
At our garage door installation service, we know that a lack of proper maintenance can lead to costly repairs. One of the main issues for a broken garage door spring is a lack of maintenance. That's why we offer lube and balance services, so you can ensure your garage door is functioning properly and safely. Schedule an appointment today and let us take care of your garage door maintenance needs.
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What Happens When Garage Door Springs Break?
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1. You'll Hear A Loud Noise
You may hear a loud noise coming from your garage. Even if you don’t see anything sprawling on the ground, you should check your garage door and take a closer look. A sudden unwinding spring may have caused the sound you heard. Most of the time, a loud crashing sound occurs when springs break. That noise happens even when the door hasn’t fallen.
2. You'll See a Gap in the Spring
Springs should be connected from end to end and be tightly wound. The easiest way to check if your spring is broken is by checking if there is a gap.
3. You'll Notice a Bend at the Top of the Door
You may notice a bend in the top panel which is a prime example of a broken spring. With damaged or broken springs the door openers power will most likely be inadequate for lifting the garage doors weight.
4. The Garage Door Will Fall Quickly
A garage door with a functioning spring and opener will smoothly go up and down. Once the spring breaks, the door will fall quickly or come crashing down. This happens because it no longer has a counterbalance for the gravity’s pull on the panels.
5. The Door Will Be Crooked
The door will probably still open even if it has a broken spring. However, when it moves up or down the track, you will notice that it has become crooked. After all, the weight of the door is no longer distributed equally.
6. There Will Be Loose Cables
Once a spring breaks, it will lead to a domino effect of problems. Most of the time, broken springs loosen cables. So, when you look at the ceiling, you may notice hanging slack cables.
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How Much Do Garage Door Spring Replacements Cost?
BE SAFE! Hire an expert! On average a garage door spring replacement will cost between $150 - $500 which includes parts and labor. If your garage door has two springs it is recommended that both springs be replaced to help the functionality and keep you protected from another broken spring.
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Garage Door Spring Repair Near You
If you find yourself in need of a garage door spring repair or replacement, look no further than Mcleod County Garage Doors. Our expert technicians are equipped to handle any garage door repair you may require, and will provide you with the peace of mind you need when it comes to the safety of your family. Don't wait any longer, call us now to schedule your appointment!
We offer a wide range of products and services.
Serving the Mcleod County region such as Glencoe, Hutchinson, Silver Lake, Biscay, Stewart, Winsted, Browntown, Plato and the surrounding Mcleod County area Mcleod County Garage Doors is there to help you with any garage door service or repair you may need! If you're not in the McLeod County area we can still service you. Call us to talk with a representative.
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With years of training our trained professionals are happy to assist you and help you understand any garage door questions or needs. Contact us TODAY for a free consult and have one of our technicians help you.