Top Reasons Garage Door Springs Break and How to Avoid Them

When your garage door stops functioning properly, the culprit is often a broken spring. These small but mighty components bear the weight of your garage door and endure significant tension during daily operations. At Westerville Garage Door Repair, we know how inconvenient and frustrating this issue can be. Preventing spring failure starts with understanding why it happens. Here are the common reasons garage door springs break—and how you can avoid them.

Common Causes of Garage Door Spring Failure

Several factors can contribute to the premature wear or failure of garage door springs. Understanding these causes is the first step toward extending the lifespan of your door’s essential components and knowing when garage door spring repair might be needed.

1. Everyday Wear and Tear

Garage door springs are designed with a certain lifespan, measured in cycles (a cycle is one full open-and-close motion). Most springs last about 10,000 cycles. For a household that operates the garage door four times a day, the springs might last around seven years. However, heavy usage or failure to replace them before the end of their lifespan often leads to breakage.

Signs of Wear

You may notice your door becomes harder to open, uneven when lifted, or produces loud creaking noises.

How to Avoid It

Schedule regular maintenance to monitor the number of cycles and replace worn springs before they fail. Westerville Garage Door Repair offers comprehensive inspections to keep your springs in prime condition.

2. Rust and Corrosion

Rust is a common enemy of any metal component, and garage door springs are no different. Rust weakens the spring material, erodes its surface, and increases the tension required to operate the door. Over time, the compromised metal becomes prone to snapping.

Why This Happens

Moisture in the air and lack of lubrication accelerate rust development.

How to Avoid It

Apply a silicone-based lubricant to your springs regularly to create a protective barrier against rust. If rust has already formed, call a professional to inspect and replace the damaged springs before they fail completely.

Tips to Prevent Spring Breakage

While some wear is inevitable, proper care and maintenance can significantly enhance your springs’ durability and reliability. Here’s how you can ensure your garage door springs stand the test of time.

Regular Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid unexpected breakdowns. By scheduling routine inspections, you can detect potential issues early and extend the lifespan of your springs.

Schedule Annual Inspections

Have a professional inspect your garage door system at least once a year. They’ll check for signs of wear, tension imbalances, or rust before these issues lead to spring failure. At Westerville Garage Door Repair, our technicians are trained to spot even the slightest irregularities.

Keep Components Lubricated

Springs and other moving parts should be lubricated every three months or after exposure to extreme weather. Lubrication reduces friction, minimizes wear, and protects against rust.

Address Imbalances Promptly

Garage doors with uneven weight distribution can place undue pressure on the springs. If you notice that your garage door leans to one side or isn’t operating smoothly, it’s essential to address the issue immediately. Prolonging the imbalance can cause the springs to fail prematurely.

Call in the Experts

Balancing a garage door is a task best left to professionals. Attempting to fix imbalances yourself can be dangerous due to the high tension in the springs. Trust Westerville Garage Door Repair to resolve the issue safely and effectively.

Why Choose Westerville Garage Door Repair?

At Westerville Garage Door Repair, we specialize in maintaining and repairing garage door systems, including springs. Choosing our service means partnering with a team that prioritizes your safety and convenience.

Experienced Technicians

Our team has extensive training in identifying and solving issues related to all types of garage door springs.

Preventative Services

We don’t just fix problems; we help prevent them. From routine inspections to maintenance, our services are designed to keep your garage door in top shape.

Quality Repairs

We use high-quality replacement springs from trusted manufacturers, ensuring durability and performance.

Don’t wait for your springs to break. Contact Westerville Garage Door Repair today to schedule your inspection or maintenance service. With professional support, you can enjoy a reliable and hassle-free garage door for years to come.