Your garage door might operate on extension or torsion springs. Either way, these parts are essential for the proper balance of the door and its lifting. Garage door springs won’t only enable the door to go up but also stay open. Then they will allow it to come down smoothly. They simply keep it balanced and hold its weight with the help of the garage door cables.
The importance of springs makes their failures even more worrisome. The bad news is that torsion and extension springs don’t last as long as other parts. Although their longevity depends on several things, they are made to last for a specific number of cycles. Then they will break.
Why extension and torsion springs break
If a garage door torsion spring is designed to last for ten thousand cycles, it will snap 
when the door is opened and closed approximately ten thousand times. So one of the reasons for springs breaking is natural wear and tear. Don’t forget that the more you open and close garage doors, the less spring lifespan you’ve got left.
Sometimes, wear comes prematurely. This depends on whether or not springs are maintained. Garage door spring repair includes lubrication. Since they are made of steel, rust might develop. This won’t only make springs noisy but also susceptible to breakage. And so lack of maintenance might lead to early spring snapping.
Why you should replace garage door springs before they snap?
- To avoid accidents caused when springs break abruptly. If the overhead garage door is in its opening position, nothing will keep it open. When the springs break, the door slams down. If anyone stands under the door, accidents are bound to happen.
- To avoid problems caused when springs start malfunctioning. They make noises or need constant adjustments. That happens because they start losing more and more of their power. You will need extension and torsion spring adjustment often since tension must be added in order for springs to have the power to move the door.
- To avoid door damage caused when springs all of a sudden break and the door slams down. Even if there is nobody under the door, the panel will get seriously damaged. If the car is parked under the door, it will get damaged too. And such issues will bring more expenses to your family budget.
- To avoid inconveniences caused when the springs snap. If the springs break, the door will simply not open. Don’t make the mistake to believe that the garage door opener and cables can open the door alone. They can’t. Even if you disconnect the opener, you won’t be able to lift the door due to its heavy weight. So you will not be able to drive in and out of the garage. You will have to wait for a technician to come for an emergency garage door spring replacement service and will also be faced with costs that you didn’t expect.
You have plenty of good reasons for replacing torsion and extension springs for garage doors prematurely. Since it’s hard to tell when it’s the best time to replace them, watch out for the signs. If you maintain them and they start showing signs of wear faster than before, it’s time to get new ones.
