You’re getting ready for work, press your garage door opener, and nothing happens. Or worse, you hear a loud snap or boom from a broken garage door spring. Understanding why garage door springs break can help you prevent this frustrating situation.
Your garage door’s springs do most of the heavy lifting, making them crucial for proper operation. In this guide, One Clear Choice Garage Doors will explain why garage door springs break and how to avoid unexpected failures.
Common Causes of Garage Door Spring Failure
Garage door springs experience significant stress every time you open and close your door. Each cycle puts wear and tear on these essential components, eventually leading to failure. Consider the main factors that cause springs to break:
- Wear and tear: Daily operation wears down springs over time. Most last around 10,000 cycles, equivalent to opening and closing your door three to four times daily for nine years. Treating your garage as your home’s primary entrance and other heavy usage can significantly reduce this lifespan.
- Corrosion: High-humidity environments and seasonal moisture create rust and corrosion, which weakens the metal coils. This corrosion acts like sandpaper between the spring’s coils, increasing friction and accelerating wear each time the door moves.
- Weather and temperature fluctuations: Extreme weather causes springs to contract during cold winters and expand in summer heat. These constant temperature fluctuations stress the metal structure, eventually leading to microscopic cracks that grow larger with each cycle.
- Lack of routine maintenance: Missing regular lubrication, skipping annual inspections, or attempting DIY repairs on the spring system constitute improper maintenance. Without professional adjustments, springs can develop uneven tension that accelerates their deterioration.
- Garage door overload: Adding heavy insulation panels and decorative hardware or using your door with damaged rollers creates excess weight. This overloading forces springs to work harder than their designed capacity, dramatically shortening their operational life.
Warning Signs of Failing Garage Door Springs
Your garage door will likely give you warning signs before a spring breaks entirely, including:
- Creaking or groaning noises during operation
- Crooked or uneven door placement when opening
- Slow opening and closing speeds
- Visible gaps or rust on the springs
Contact an expert technician to address why garage door springs break and fix your system.
How To Prevent Garage Door Spring Failure
Regular maintenance can significantly extend the life of your garage door springs. Here’s what you can do:
- Apply a silicone-based lubricant to the springs every six months.
- Inspect springs regularly for signs of rust or damage.
- Keep the garage environment dry to prevent corrosion.
- Avoid overloading your door with heavy accessories.
- Schedule professional maintenance checks annually.
Contact One Clear Choice for Your Garage Door Needs
Understanding why garage door springs break helps you recognize when they need attention. At One Clear Choice Garage Doors, we specialize in expert spring replacement and maintenance services throughout Commerce City, Loveland, Castle Rock, and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Our trained technicians can help prevent unexpected spring failures and keep your door functioning safely.
Don’t wait until your garage door springs break—call us today at (303) 565-6409 to schedule a professional inspection with us.