Tips to Increase the Lifespan of Garage Door Springs

The average garage door is heavy and sturdy, requiring springs and a pulley system to keep it in place and from falling. The springs are designed to hold most of the weight and allow owners to handle the doors by hand or provide seamless automatic opener operation. Springs will naturally wear down over time like any part of the garage door system and eventually break. Use the following information to increase the springs’ lifespan and get the most out of the investment.

GARAGE DOOR SPRING LIFESPAN

Garage door springs’ lifespan is typically rated by the number of cycles of use before failing. Opening and closing the garage doors once counts as one cycle, and the measurement is a natural extension of how garages are traditionally operated.

Springs are rated depending on their function and their production material and process. Extension springs have a slightly shorter span of about 10,000 cycles. Using the doors with these springs four times a day (two cycles) means that they will last for almost 14 years.

Torsion springs are usually larger and sturdier, with higher-quality products rated for 20,000 cycles. Owners and families who use their garage doors more often can expect better results with these springs.

WHAT SHORTENS THE SPRINGS’ LIFESPAN?

Wear and tear is usually the primary reason springs fail and break down over time. Zinc-coated galvanized steel can resist moisture and rust decently well, but it will lose tensile strength faster than oil-tempered springs.

Rust is the second most common reason springs can fail. When it forms in the spring, rust can cause the spring to become more brittle and break off under pressure. Alternatively, rust can snag on other objects and attract more moisture.

TIPS TO INCREASE THE SPRING LIFESPAN

The most effective way to get the springs to last for their rated number of cycles is to maintain them regularly.

Applying a lubricant twice a year (or more, depending on how often the doors are used) prevents rust formation and allows the doors to open and close smoothly. Lithium and silicone lubricants are the most common and effective for different garage door types. Check the manufacturer’s manual or contact a qualified garage service for information regarding which lubricant is the best for your doors.

Keeping the doors balanced also plays a significant role in maintaining the spring system. An imbalanced door puts more strain on one spring than the other, wearing them unevenly or putting one of the springs above their bearing capacity. At worse, the doors and the springs can fail and require replacements.

Owners should also consider how much they use their garage doors during the day. If the family leaves with multiple cars during the morning, cycling the garage doors each time wears out the springs more. Leaving them open for a few minutes until the last vehicle leaves can prolong the spring lifespan.

As a last piece of advice, we recommend scheduling regular garage door maintenance with a qualified professional service. A thorough inspection can detect minor issues before they get out of hand and the repair more involved.

Call Quick Response Garage Door Service: we are your Arizona garage door service specialists.
602-274-3667 (Phoenix) or 520-219-3667 (Tucson)