Most Recent: December 31, 1969
Garage doors are important for protecting your home and ensuring convenience, but like all mechanical parts, they wear down over time. One of the most crucial components of your garage door is the spring, which helps the door open and close smoothly. If your garage door spring in Scottsdale, AZ, is nearing the end of its life, it's essential to recognize the signs before it completely fails. Knowing when to change it saves you from having costly repairs and also avoids accidents that could have occurred. Here are six signs you should check out: 1. Opening and Closing Door Difficult One of the typical signs that the door spring is worn out is if the door becomes hard to open or close. If the door is moving slowly or makes strange noises, such as grinding or scraping, this means the spring is unable to offer enough tension to lift the door smoothly. This problem may manifest more obviously over time as it loses strength and flexibility.2. Garage door won't stay open Another obvious sign that it is failing is when the door does not stay open by itself. The door may close immediately after you lift it or it may fall halfway. The springs are responsible for balancing the weight of the door, and when they lose their tension, they can't keep the door in place. If you notice this behavior, it's time to consider replacing the spring.3. Visible damage to the spring Inspection is an important step to catch any signs of wear and tear in the early stages. In case you see any apparent damage, such as rust, gaps, or breakage, you should replace the spring at the earliest. Springs can crack due to stress caused by usage over time or environmental factors, hence weakening over time. A damaged spring may not only be inefficient but could be hazardous as it may snap completely. 4. Unusual Noises When Opening and Closing the Door When your garage door starts making weird noises such as loud banging, popping, or squealing, it might mean that the spring is either being over-tensioned or is wearing down. Although some noise is typical, especially when opening or closing the door, sudden loud noises should not be ignored. These sounds mostly indicate that the springs are trying hard and may break soon. 5. The door is crooked or uneven. If one spring fails or breaks, the garage door may start opening unevenly, and thus, the door appears crooked or sagging to one side. The spring is probably the problem if the door doesn't seem to be in proper alignment when opening or closing. Over time, an out-of-alignment door can lead to more damage to the door itself or the tracks, and more extensive repairs are needed.6. Frequent Adjustments are needed. If you’re having to adjust the tension on your door springs more often than usual, it could be a sign that the spring is nearing the end of its lifespan. Springs are meant to last a long time, but over time, they lose their ability to hold tension. This can cause the door to behave erratically and require more frequent manual adjustments. If this becomes a regular occurrence, it's time to replace the spring. A malfunctioning door spring can cause a wide range of problems from difficulties with operating the door to more critical safety concerns. Detecting the signs that it's time to replace the spring is very important because, once the symptoms arise, it means further damage has probably occurred, and your garage door will not work the way it should. If any of the symptoms have been experienced above, consult a professional who would evaluate the situation. If you need garage door maintenance in Scottsdale, AZ, don’t hesitate to contact experienced technicians at Security Door Gate and Fence at 480-937-0831 immediately. FAQs 1. How long do door springs last? These usually last between 7 and 12 years, depending on how often you open the door. A well-maintained spring lasts about 10,000 cycles, where a cycle is the act of opening and closing the door. 2. Can I replace the door spring myself? A DIY replacement is not suggested as it could be dangerous due to your lack of proper knowledge or tools.