A dirty track is a problem for the door rollers and can cause jams. Over time, jams will take places causing added stress to the spring. This added stress will speed up the wear and tear on the spring itself causing it to break. Extreme temperature changes can also cause garage door springs to break.
The coiled steel gets cold and is under a lot of pressure, which can often cause the springs break. This means you may need to replace your garage door springs more often if you live in an area with cold temperatures. It's also a good idea to make sure that you have quality steel springs installed.
The most common reason your garage door springs break is wear and tear. When properly installed, your springs can last approximately 10,000 cycles. One cycle includes both the opening and closing of the door. Technically speaking, your springs should last between 7 to 10 years.
Standard manufacturer garage door springs have an average lifecycle of about 10,000 cycles, equivalent to approximately 48 months when used daily. Oil-tempered garage door springs show improved endurance, lasting for about 15,000 cycles, which translates roughly to a 10-year lifespan with regular use.
Expect to spend $120–$350 to replace your garage door spring, including material costs and professional installation. While these heavy-duty springs are built to last, they'll eventually need replacement due to wear and tear. Garage door spring replacement isn't your average DIY project, either.
Replacing a garage door spring yourself isn't impossible, but it does require special knowledge about the springs and how a garage door works.
If you have a broken spring, do not attempt to use the opener to open your garage door. It doesn't matter if you have the best opener on the market: Don't use your opener at all. Using your opener with a broken spring can result in all sorts of expensive problems, such as: Cracking or crumpling the door panels.
Make sure you always replace both springs when they snap, regardless of which side snapped first. A broken spring without a repaired or replaced second spring can be problematic – as the garage door will now be subject to extra pressure on only one side.
On average, a professional technician can complete the replacement in about one to two hours. However, DIY replacements may take longer due to safety precautions and lack of experience.
The best way to keep your garage door springs lasting throughout the years is to lubricate them 1-2 times annually with either white lithium or silicone-based spray. These can easily be found at a local hardware store.
The manufacturer's warranty will often cover the cosmetics of the door, such as the paint and finish, panel sections, windows, hardware, and springs. Keep in mind that not all garage door warranties are precisely the same. Some companies may even offer several warranties for their products.
Standard manufacturer springs typically last around 18 months. Oil-tempered springs have a longer lifespan of about 3 years. A1 Garage Door Service MaxLife springs offer the longest durability, lasting over 22 years.
Technically, a garage door can open and close without springs, but it poses significant challenges and risks. Operating a garage door without springs can lead to: Increased Physical Effort: The absence of springs makes the door extremely heavy, requiring more force to move.
Proper maintenance is key to extending the life of your garage door springs. Here's how to maintain them and know when professional help is needed. Apply Lubrication Regularly: Lubricating your garage door springs helps reduce friction and noise.
There should be very little resistance and the door should remain open once you've lifted it all the way up. If the garage door is difficult to lift up or won't remain open, then there may be an issue with the springs. If you have an automatic opener system, then perform a force setting test.
One of the most common garage door services is garage door spring repair. According to Angi, garage door spring replacement can cost between $150 and $350, including materials and labor. If additional repairs are required, you may spend up to $500. A double door generally costs an extra $15 to $30 per spring.
Why do Garage Door Springs Fail? Most often, it's simple wear and tear. Rust can also cause springs to fail, especially if they are not regularly lubricated. Another reason for failure is that whoever installed your springs did not weigh the door and installed springs that are not rated for the door you have.
If your garage door has a broken garage door spring, it is reasonably straightforward to replace if you are an experienced DIY enthusiast. The caveat is that you must be extremely careful when carrying out this procedure, as not following the correct safety measures can be dangerous.
Your professional installer can make the necessary adjustments so your door is balanced and runs smoothly. So, to answer the question, “Do I need to replace both garage door springs?” – no, you don't need to replace both garage door springs at the same time.
How many springs does a garage door have? A garage door typically has one to four springs, depending on the size and weight. For example, residential single-car garages are often single-spring garage doors and residential two-car garages are often dual-spring garage doors.
Replacing garage door springs takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. New garage door springs last 7 to 14 years, or between 10,000 and 20,000 up-and-down cycles. It is important to hire a professional to help, because changing a garage door spring can be dangerous.
Size, material, and options like glass and insulation all affect the weight. An 8′ x 7′ non-insulated or single-layer steel garage door from Amarr can weigh as little as 83 lbs. An Amarr triple-layer, insulated garage door with steel backing in the same size can weigh up to 143 lbs.