If you are thinking about having your garage repaired, most especially the garage door, then you must familiarize yourself with the essential components such as the door springs. These door springs play a major role in your garage system as they assist in lifting and lowering the door to reduce stress on the motor. This is because the springs are able to counterbalance the door’s weight. As the process of replacing these springs is dangerous, professionals are often hired to do the repairs to avoid injuries and even death. Nevertheless, having knowledge about the garage door springs and how they are interconnected is essential when you are having your garage repaired.
The Two Main Garage Door Springs
There are only two main types of garage door springs and they are called torsion and extension springs. Though there are various brands of torsion and extension door springs, they all serve the same purpose. These two springs are very effective in the operation of garage doors regardless of the fact that they function in different ways and require different parts.
Torsion Springs
The garage door torsion springs are securely fastened to a metal rod or shaft located directly above the door. Since there are various kinds of garage door systems, the shaft might pass through the center of the springs or even house the springs. If it passes through the center, then the spring can be mounted in the center or at the end of the shaft. These torsion springs balances the door with the application of torque to the shaft along with drums at the end. Each drum will have a cable securely extending to the bottom part of the garage door. Thus, the spring winds and unwinds whenever the door is opened and closed either manually or with the convenience of an automated garage door opener. The torque of the torsion known as the lift can indicate the door weight that the spring can lift, while its life cycle of about 10 to 15 years provides the number of times a garage door can function properly before breaking. However, when one breaks, both must be replaced at the same time.
Extension Springs
These garage door extension springs are often located along the garage door sides or above the tracks. The springs can stretch and contract as the garage door operates in order to counterbalance the door’s weight. While commercial garage doors and a couple of residential garage doors have multiple extension springs, the majority of residential garage doors only have two springs. To secure the spring to the track hang, pivot pin or tension adjusting bolt, extensions springs feature closed loops, open loops or clipped ends. Though these springs are quite easier to repair compared to Torsion springs, they still pose a risk due to the intense tension and strain that extension springs have to undergo.
If you are unsure about the type of garage door springs you have installed in your garage, you can simply inspect the door. However, repairs and replacement must be handled by a professional. When you are aware of how the garage door system operates, you will be able to determine when repairs are needed and what caused your garage door to malfunction.
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Valerie Hills is a freelance writer specializing in vehicle care, garage maintenance and garage door repairs by Lakeland Garage Doors. She also provides useful information for car owners on how they can detect problems with garage doors and why garage door springs play an important role in a garage.