Anaheim, CA, is home to Disneyland Resort, but the “City of Kindness” is also where many homeowners live, play, and work. If you’re a resident of Anaheim or another part of Southern California, it’s important to understand how to recognize when you may need garage door spring replacement. The experienced team at Mesa Garage Doors has some helpful tips about garage door springs and signs they may need replacement.

Why Garage Door Springs Are Essential to Your Door’s Functionality

Garage door springs work to counteract the weight of a heavy garage door. This makes it easier for the door to lift and lower, whether you do so manually or whether you use a garage door opener. If the springs are missing or broken, it’s much more difficult to lift the door. These springs provide smooth, seamless operation of your garage door, regardless of whether it’s manual or via a remote-controlled opener device.

Common Signs That Your Garage Door Springs Need Replacement

Here are some of the most common signs of a broken garage door spring and how to tell if a garage door spring is bad. If you notice any of these signs, the springs likely need replacement.

The Garage Door Won’t Fully Open

Since the springs bear most of the weight of your garage door, it won’t open if they’re broken or damaged. If the weight of the door is not supported properly, the opener may stop working to prevent the motor from burning out. If you notice that your garage door won’t fully open, it may be because you need to replace the springs.

Visible Gaps in Springs

Just like other types of springs, your garage door springs should be tightly wound. If you notice a visible gap in the springs, they could be about to snap or break in half. Inspect your garage door springs regularly to confirm that there are no gaps, and if you see any, contact Mesa Garage Doors right away for a professional replacement.

Garage Door Opens or Closes Unevenly

If you have torsion springs, they run parallel to the floor and across the door, and if you have extension springs, they run perpendicular to either side of the door. Whichever type of springs you have, they’ll cause the garage door to open or close unevenly if they’re broken or worn out.

Door Operates Erratically

Most modern garage door openers have a sensor that detects excess weight. However, if yours doesn’t have this feature, it may try to keep opening and closing the door, even if the spring is broken. If you notice that your garage door suddenly drops to the ground or lowers too fast, it may need a spring replacement.

Obvious Signs of Wear

Aside from gaps, your garage door springs may exhibit other signs of wear and tear, such as rust and corrosion. You might even hear the springs snap when you try to operate the door. Look for obvious signs of wear and tear, such as gaps, squeaking sounds, rust, stretched-out springs, or noisy garage door operation that may indicate it’s time to replace the springs.

How Long Do Garage Door Springs Typically Last?

The average garage door spring’s lifespan is between 7 to 10 years, or approximately 10,000 cycles. Torsion springs tend to last longer than extension springs. Oil-tempered springs can last approximately 10 years or 15,000 cycles. The lifespan of your garage door springs depends on a few factors, including how often you open and close your garage door, how often you get garage door spring maintenance, and how much wear and tear the springs endure.

Dangers of Ignoring a Worn or Broken Garage Door Spring

It’s important to know when to replace garage door springs to prevent further problems. Here are some of the dangers of ignoring a worn or broken garage door spring.

• Serious injury: Your garage door springs store a lot of energy under tension, and when they break, the door will fall suddenly and with a lot of force.
• Severe damage: A broken or malfunctioning spring can cause the garage door to slam shut or become unbalanced, which may damage the door, the garage, your driveway, or items that are stored inside.
• Frustrating operation: Broken garage door springs make it extremely difficult to open and close the door, either manually or with the garage door opener.
• Safety threats: A malfunctioning or unbalanced garage door is a serious safety hazard that can become extremely dangerous if it falls.
• Costly repairs: If you ignore a worn or broken garage door spring, it can lead to much more complex damage later, costing you even more money in repairs.
• Security risk: When your garage door is difficult to open or close, it poses a risk to your home’s security and may encourage break-ins.

DIY vs. Professional Garage Door Spring Replacement

You may wonder whether you can replace your garage door springs yourself. While it’s certainly possible, torsion springs use high tension, which poses a risk of serious injury. These springs store a lot of energy, which makes DIY replacement particularly dangerous. The experts at Mesa Garage Doors have the appropriate tools, skills, knowledge, and professional experience to replace your garage door springs efficiently and safely. We’ll accurately diagnose the issue and determine the right type of spring you need, then perform a thorough test to ensure everything is operating smoothly.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors Today

If you’re experiencing issues with your garage door and believe you may need a garage door spring replacement, the team at Mesa Garage Doors is here to help. We proudly serve customers in Anaheim and throughout the Southern California area. To schedule professional service for your garage door, contact us today!