Somewhere around 63% of American homes include a garage or some kind of carport.
While that’s great news for protecting your vehicle from the elements, it also becomes another potential maintenance problem.
Garage doors depend on tension or extension springs in order to operate properly. If your garage door extension springs or garage door tension springs go bad, it can mean you’ll need to call for repairs.
That leaves you with the problem of knowing when one of those springs breaks. Keep reading for five signs your garage door springs need attention.
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1.Garage Door Closes Too Fast
When your springs work properly, your garage door closes smoothly and without excessive force.
If the door closes too fast, it’s a pretty solid sign that the springs can no longer support the door’s weight.
A fast-dropping garage door can injure you, a family member, or even a pet. If your garage door closes too fast, you should contact a local company that does garage door repairs.
2.Excessive Noise
When garage door springs start to fail, there is often a lot of noise when the door opens or closes. A few common noises include:
- Groaning noises
- Popping noises
- Squealing noises
While springs are often the culprit when you hear these noises, they aren’t the only possible source. A professional evaluation is typically best for pinning down if you need new springs.
3.Crooked Door
Garage door springs typically come as a matched set. You get a spring for both sides of the door. Assuming both springs work properly, the door lowers evenly on both sides.
If one of these springs fail, the door lowers at an angle. If your garage door is crooked, it’s a safe bet you need new springs.
4.Jerky Movements
Does your garage door open or close in a jerky way? It’s not just an annoying quirk of your garage door. That jerky movement often means a broken or failing garage door extension spring.
If the spring fails completely, you can end up with the crooked door mentioned above.
5.Visible Signs
Problems opening and closing the garage door can serve as an obvious sign of spring problems.
If you want to keep ahead of those problems, you can also keep an eye out for visible signs. Watch for signs like rusty springs, gaps in the spring, or a stretched-out spring.
All of those signs can warn you that a spring will fail in the near future.
Staying Ahead of Problems With Your Garage Door Springs
Staying ahead of problems with your garage door springs means a little forethought.
Give your garage door an annual once-over. Look at the springs, tracks, and rollers.
If necessary, add a little lubricant to the moving parts. These steps will alert you to problems and extend the working life of the garage door.
If you see problems with the springs, contact a garage door professional for repairs or a replacement door.
Are you looking for other home improvement tips? Check out the home improvement section on this site.
