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If your overhead garage door is malfunctioning or is not working out for you, then chances are you got yourself a broken garage door spring.
You know that your garage door springs are no good if you happen to find physical damage on them such as cracks, splits, etc.
Having these on your springs can never be a good thing in the first place.
When your spring breaks on you, your door does not function properly since the spring is no longer able to deliver the required torque power needed to open your garage doors.
If you find yourself in a situation like this, there are two things you can decide to choose — do the repairs yourself or call for a professional.
Doing the job yourself can save you a lot but is not worth it if you do not have the required skills and knowledge for the job.
You will only end up putting your safety at risk over something that you may or may not fix completely.
However, if you’re set on fixing your garage door problem yourself, then here are some things you can refer to about how to repair a broken garage door torsion spring.
Garage Door Torsion Springs
Garage door springs are what allows your overhead garage door to move.
Located on the top side of your garage door, torsion springs are what make all this movement possible.
A torsion spring functions as counterweights to your garage door’s own weight.
They keep your door in place when opened and even provide the necessary power to lift them open.
Usually, torsion springs are designed to last around 10,000 cycles or approximately 7 years before it wears out.
However, due to external factors that cannot be controlled, this can be reduced significantly.
When your garage door spring breaks down on you, it isn’t only a hassle but as well as difficult to repair or fix.
And this is why, rather than fixing torsion springs yourself, it is recommended that you seek professional help.
Why do garage door torsion springs break?
Your garage door’s torsion springs can break due to a lot of possible reasons.
But here are the most common ones that you certainly need to be aware of.
Wear and Tear
The topmost reason why your garage door breaks down is most likely due to wear and tear.
Most likely, due to old age, your garage door’s springs have started to show signs of breaking down.
Your garage door torsion springs are being used multiple times a day.
And the more frequently that you use them, the faster they wear out.
If you see signs of wearing out on your springs, make sure to contact a professional and seek assistance.
Do not prolong the issue and, in the process, make things worse.
Poor Maintenance
Proper maintenance can help a lot in prolonging and maintaining your overhead garage doors.
If done properly, they can do a lot for your garage door springs.
Maintenance includes checking your springs regularly for any damages, applying lubrication, and making sure that they are kept clean at all times.
Simple as it may be, the results that it brings are too good to be ignored.
Take more good care of your garage door and its different components.
Remember, anything that is not well-maintained breaks down more easily than that which is being taken care of.
Low-Quality Springs
Lastly, your garage door springs might be breaking down on you due to their low quality.
Sometimes, we prefer to purchase options for their lower costs.
Although these torsion springs are cheaper, quality-wise, they might not last as long as their more expensive counterparts.
When choosing the best garage door springs for your door, go for the one that can last you longer.
I am not saying to choose the most expensive options but at least compare and do your research on the quality of the spring you are about to buy.
Remember, your garage doors protect and bring safety to your homes.
Something like that should never be taken for granted.
Repairing your broken garage door torsion spring
Before you can try and fix your garage door torsion springs, here are some things you need to prepare in order for you to be able to complete the job successfully:
- Vise-Grip and Clamps
- Winding Bars
- Wrench set and/or an adjustable wrench
- Ladder
If you already have these materials prepared, then you should be ready to continue repairing your garage door springs.
Now, remember, if you do not have any previous experience doing this or the proper skills required for this job, then do not attempt to replace your torsion springs.
Call for professional help instead in order to prevent putting yourself and the people around you in a very risky situation.
To repair your garage door torsion springs, make sure that you follow the following safety precautions in order to make sure of the job’s success:
- Close your garage doors completely and make sure your garage door openers are unplugged from the power source.
- Disconnect the garage door opener from your garage door’s trolley.
- Secure your doors down by using the C-clamps or the vise-grip to make sure that your garage doors do not suddenly open during the entire repair process.
For the detailed step-by-step process of actually replacing your garage door’s torsion spring, you may refer to the video below for the complete procedure.
Conclusion
Broken garage door springs are never a good thing for anyone.
It causes a lot of trouble and headaches to anyone unfortunate enough to experience it.
This is why knowing how to repair a broken garage door torsion spring can be a very good thing to learn.
However, if you are not confident that you are able to do this, then we recommend that you seek professional help.
If you live in Ottawa and are looking for a garage door repair company near you to help you with your garage door spring replacement, then you should definitely consider Garage Door Repair Pros.
Aside from spring replacement, we also offer other emergency garage door services such as garage door installation and maintenance.
If you wish to learn more about us, you may reach us at (613) 909-8982 for inquiries regarding our rates and services.
Let us help you deal with your garage door related concerns. Contact us now!
