The garage door spring have a main role in the smooth operation of your garage door but over time they can break.
A common reason is constant opening and closing of the door which put pressure on the springs and causing them to eventually snap but not only frequent use also temperature changes can affect the springs while extreme heat or cold can cause expansion and contraction leading to metal fatigue and eventually will break the spring.
Poor maintenance, lack of lubrication, wrong size of springs and improper tension can also contribute to a spring breakage.
How long should garage door springs last?
Standard torsion springs last about 7 years which is equivalent to 10,000-15,000 cycles and standard extension springs have a shorter lifespan of about 5 years.
It is really depends on the usage and the spring quality, where high volume use can lead to a shorter lifespan, while high quality springs can last beyond the average. Regular maintenance and lubrication can certainly extend the springs lifespan.
Can garage door be opened manually if springs are broken?
A garage door can be opened manually if the springs are broken but it will require more effort. Garage doors have a release cord that disconnect the door from the opener this way you will be able lift the door manually.
The springs provide the pressure that makes the door feel lighter and with broken springs the door will be much heavier to lift and it can be very challenging and even unsafe especially for larger and insulated heavier doors.
Will the garage door fall if the springs break?
Garage door springs are responsible for balancing the weight of the door and when they break it can lead to imbalance causing the door to become super heavy and difficult to lift, but more dangerous there is a risk that the door could fall down if it was open while the spring broke and can cause serious injuries or property damage.
Are some garage door springs better than others?
There are different quality types of garage door springs and some are considered better than others. In general torsion springs are more reliable than extension springs and definitely more durable, they offer smoother operation and can lift heavy duty garage doors.
High quality galvanized torsion springs are made of robust materials and tend to be better than cheaper alternatives and they have better resisting to rust and corrosion.
