If you have ever had your garage door spring break, you know it can be a highly inconvenient situation. In one quick snap, your garage door goes from easily sliding up and down to virtually immobile. While all springs will eventually need replacement, there are ways to increase the life of your spring through regular maintenance. By taking care of your garage door spring, you can prevent most spring failures from catching you off guard.
Basic Garage Door Spring Maintenance
Garage door springs are designed to safely allow your door to easily open and close with minimal impact on the opening device. Most springs have an expectant lifespan of 10,000 cycles of opening and closing. However, if not maintained properly, this life-span can be cut drastically short. A few basic maintenance tips to get the most time and cycles from your garage door springs include:
- Balancing your door. A poorly balanced door will create excess wear on your spring. Make sure your door is balanced correctly to allow for easier movement up and down the tracks.
- Prevent rust. A rusty spring will not last long; the rust causes both the spring and the coil to weaken and become more likely to break. Lubricating the spring every few months can keep rust away.
- Garage door tune-ups. A properly functioning garage door lessens the wear and tear on your spring. Schedule a tune-up with your local garage door repair company each year to ensure all parts are in good working order.
- Preventive replacement. If your spring lasts for 10,000 cycles, opening two to four times a day, it will last for about five to seven years. Instead of waiting for the inevitable, consider replacing your spring once it approaches or has passed this mark. Consult your garage door service technician during annual tune-ups about when you should replace your spring.
Posted on behalf of Habpro
