Ask most people how a garage door functions, and most of them will answer that the garage door motor is responsible for most of the action. However, that’s far from the truth since the motor hardly plays any role in the proper functioning of a garage door. So, what makes the garage door open and close then? It’s the garage door springs that do most of the heavy lifting.
Garage door springs have been around for a long time, and they play an integral role in the proper functioning of a garage door as well. They do require a fair bit of maintenance as well, which is why you should always remain on top of that. To help you out, we are going to share some of the signs that clearly indicate it is time to replace garage door extension spring in your Lynnwood home.
The first thing to know is that in overhead garage doors, there are two types of springs doing all the work, and they are known as torsion springs and extension springs.
· Extension Springs
The extension springs run perpendicularly along with the door and are found above the tracks on which the door rides along when it opens and closes. These springs will get a charge whenever the door is closed, which causes them to extend and absorb energy, which is released when the door opens. Some garage doors only have one extension spring, but that’s not common in most garage doors.
· Torsion Springs
The torsion springs run on the parallel side of the door and are found above the inside wall of the garage door. These springs also get a charge as they uncoil when the door closes, and energy is released as the door is lifted. Torsion springs tend to store a lot of energy, which is why you should only trust experts for their repair and installation.
Now that you know how garage door springs work and what kinds are there, it’s time to identify the signs that indicate a problem with your garage door and when you should consider garage door spring replacement.
Signs You Need To Replace Garage Door Extension Spring In Lynnwood
In general, garage door springs tend to last for 8 to 10 years, but how long these last depends on how well you have maintained your garage door. So, let’s check out the ways to tell when you should consider changing garage door springs
1. The Springs Are Getting Weak
The one thing you should know about garage door springs is that they are stretched continuously throughout their life and are similar to rubber bands. That means they will lose their ability to charge over the course of their life. That’s a clear sign of spring failure, and you may need to replace garage door extension spring. However, you can test whether the springs are losing their elasticity in the following manner.
- Pull the emergency release after closing the garage, which will mean that the opener is disconnected from the door, and you will need to open it manually
- Then manually lift the door to waist height and let it go. The springs are fine if the door stays in place, but if it starts drifting down when you release it, your springs are losing their charge, and you should think about changing garage door springs
2. Obvious Rust And Corrosion
How long does a garage door spring lasts? Does it dependent on its maintenance? So if you have practiced regular maintenance, then it won’t rust, and corrosion won’t set in. However, if you haven’t been on top of garage door spring maintenance, it will catch rust and corrosion, and this is a sign that a garage door spring replacement is needed.
3. Popping, Creaking, And Screeching Noises
If your garage door springs start making popping, creaking, and screeching noises every time you operate the door, it means they have come to the end of their life. In this instance, lubricating the springs will not work for long since the damage has been done, and you may need to replace garage door extension spring.
4. Your Door Opens Unevenly
When the garage door starts to open unevenly, like one side opening and the other dragging, then it means your springs have started to fail and will eventually stop working. So, if you notice that your garage door isn’t opening like it regularly does, you need to call for assistance to replace garage door extension spring.
Trust Ed Garage Door Repair To Replace Garage Door Extension Spring In Your Lynnwood Home
The safety of everyone in the home depends on the smooth operation of your garage springs. Don’t ignore the warning signs of trouble, and call the garage door experts at Ed Garage Door Repair in Lynnwood to replace garage door extension spring. We have helped scores of homeowners in Lynnwood and the surrounding areas keep their garage doors looking and running like new by helping them replace garage door extension spring. We can do the same for you, so call us now for garage door spring replacement in Lynnwood.