Your garage door is equipped with either extension or torsion springs, which are located on the sides or top of the garage door. Extension springs and torsion springs generally have a lifespan of roughly 7 to 10 years. It can be dangerous when these springs wear down, so it is important that you are aware of the signs that these springs require repairs. In addition, you need to understand that it can be dangerous to attempt these repairs yourself. Keep reading to learn four different signs that indicate your garage door springs require professional repair.
Erratic Movements
If you notice that your garage door is making a strange jerky movement and is not opening evenly, this could be a sign of a variety of problems, including an obstruction on the tracks or an issue with the overall pulley system. Inspect the tracks and make sure that there is not an obstruction. Check the rollers, pulleys, and belts. If you do not see any obvious issue, then the springs are likely in need of repair. Once the springs wear out, they will become unbalanced and be unable to ensure that the garage door opens and closes smoothly, resulting in the erratic movement that you are noticing.
Rust
When your garage door springs get rust built up on them, the door becomes a serious hazard. Anyone who uses the door is at risk of suffering an injury due to the fact that the metal could potentially break at any given time with zero warning. Therefore, if you detect corrosion on the springs and the components are close to the end of their lifespan already, get in touch with a local professional who can replace them immediately.
Loud Noises
The garage door should not be extremely loud when it is opening and closing. If it is, then this is indicative of the torsion springs being damaged. The door should not be used further until it has been looked at and repaired/replaced by a professional. When you notice a squeaky sound coming from the door, you should schedule repair services as soon as possible, as it is usually a signal that there is a problem and the springs are at risk of breaking in the near future.
Slow, Casual Movement
The garage door is a heavy component, so when the garage door springs do end up giving out and breaking, they are unable to hold up the weight of the door. As a result, the excess weight will have a direct impact on the speed of the motor, causing the door to open and close slower. In addition, you will likely be unable to open the garage door manually. When you notice these things, contact a professional for spring repair services.
The aforementioned are just a few of the signs that signal the need for garage door spring repair. For more information, contact a garage door repair service, such as Raynor Door Company, near you.