If you’re a homeowner, you know that dealing with garage door spring problems can be a real hassle. Garage doors are heavy, complex machines, and the springs that help lift them up and down are critical components that can be tricky to repair. But don’t worry – with some help, you can fix common garage door spring issues and avoid the cost of a professional garage door repair service.
Common garage door spring issues
Garage door springs come in two main varieties: torsion and extension. Torsion springs are mounted above the garage door, while extension springs are on either side.
- Broken springs
Broken springs are by far the most common garage door spring problem. Garage door springs are under immense tension and can snap or break, usually without warning. This severe issue can make your garage door inoperable and even dangerous if the broken spring is left unrepaired.
Signs of a broken spring include:
- The door won’t open or close all the way
- The door feels much heavier to lift
- You hear a loud “snap” or “bang” when trying to operate the door
If you suspect a broken spring, stop using the Ashburn Garage Door Repair immediately and call a professional garage door repair service. Attempting to fix a broken spring yourself can be highly hazardous. The spring is under hundreds of pounds of tension, and if it releases while you’re working on it, it could cause serious injury. If you have the right tools and experience, you can replace a broken spring yourself. Just be extremely cautious and follow all safety precautions. We recommend watching tutorial videos and reading detailed guides before attempting this repair.
- Worn springs
Even if a garage door spring hasn’t broken, it can become worn out over time and lose its lifting power. This is especially common with older springs undergoing thousands of open/close cycles.
- The door feels heavier to lift
- The door doesn’t open or close all the way
- The door jerks or moves unevenly when opening/closing
To fix worn-out springs, you’ll need to replace them. This is a reasonably straightforward process but still requires caution due to the spring tension. Again, we recommend calling in a professional garage door repair service unless you’re comfortable handling the job yourself.
- Unbalanced springs
If your garage door isn’t opening or closing evenly, the issue may be with unbalanced springs. This means that one spring works harder than the other, causing the door to move unevenly.
- Improperly adjusted springs during installation
- One spring becoming weaker over time
- The door becoming misaligned
To fix unbalanced springs, you’ll need to adjust the tension on each spring until the door is opening and closing smoothly. This involves winding or unwinding the springs using a unique winding bar tool. It’s a delicate process that requires caution, so consider calling in a professional if you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself.