Garage door springs are the unsung heroes of your garage door system. And like many unsung heroes, you don't tend to think about them until there's a problem. But when a garage door spring finally snaps or breaks, it's no longer safe to open and close the door. It's safe to say then, your garage door depends on these springs.
With so much at stake, how do you maintain your garage door springs and repair them should they fail? Thankfully, we can help explain how these spring systems work, how you can play a role in maintaining them, and what to do should they fail. We'll also explore what factors determine the garage spring repair cost.
What are Garage Door Springs?
Garage door springs come in two essential varieties—extension spring and torsion spring systems. While they're both springs, they have some key differences that can shape how they need to be maintained and what happens if there's an issue.
Extension Springs
Extension springs were one of the more common spring systems available on the market but are still found on many garage doors where there's limited height. Extension springs work in pairs, expanding to open the garage door and contracting to close the door. These springs can typically last anywhere from 7 to 12 years with regular use and routine maintenance.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs represent a more recent improvement on garage door springs. Usually these are a single spring wound around a steel shaft above the garage door opening. The spring slowly unwinds to release energy and allow the door to open, then winds back up to close the door. These springs also tend to be safer than their extension spring counterparts, though they still hold enormous amounts of energy. They can typically last up to 15 years of regular use.
Regardless of the type of spring system, regular maintenance is essential to prevent the springs from collapsing unexpectedly. Lubricating the springs, cleaning them, and routine visual inspections give the spring the best chance of lasting its intended lifespan. Should you notice a crack or slow moving door, that's a sign it's time to repair or replace the spring.
How Much Does Garage Door Spring Repair Cost?
When a garage door spring does break, the released tension can cause the springs to whip around at an incredible speed. In other words, you don't want to be in the room when one of these springs does break. As soon as you notice an issue with a spring, you should contact a trusted garage door repair company to assess the damage and repair the spring.
When talking about the necessary repairs, it's typical to wonder what the price to repair garage door springs is. Given that there are at least two very different types of springs and a wide variety of garage door types, garage door repair costs for broken springs can vary depending on these factors and more.
- Type of Spring: The type of spring weighs heavily on the cost. Extension spring systems are usually considered to cost less than torsion spring systems. However, because the extension springs come in pairs, both usually need to be repaired at the same time.
- Type of Door: The type of the door also plays an important part in determining the price to repair garage door springs. Larger garage doors require larger springs or sometimes even multiple springs to handle the additional weight of the door. These can result in higher costs as technicians will need to repair more springs or require additional hands to maneuver around bigger ones.
- Spring Material: While most springs are made out of the same materials, the quality of those materials matter. Springs that use Chinese rather than American steel for example, may cost less upfront. However, these springs may not have the same lifespan as higher quality American steel springs.
- Usage: Similar to the materials in the spring is the type of use the spring is made to handle. The garage spring repair cost for a high-performance spring may be higher. If you will be opening and closing the garage door multiple times per day, you may need one of these high-performance springs to avoid needing repairs in just a few years time.
Consider A Garage Conversion
As you try to determine the garage spring repair cost, you may also want to consider switching from an extension spring to a torsion spring system. Contact a garage door repair company to help guide you through the differences in these systems and help you decide which one is right for you.
If you use the garage door frequently, multiple times per day, a torsion spring may make the most sense. Instead of replacing the broken extension springs, you can ask about installing a torsion spring system that can withstand the repeated use.
Get A Quote for Your Garage Spring Repair Cost
As soon as you notice a damaged or broken spring in your garage door, contact Balanced Garage Doors. Attempting to fix garage springs is dangerous and should only be done by trained professionals. Thankfully, we're just a phone call away. Our expert technicians serve Atlanta, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Marietta, and all the cities and towns in between. We'll help determine the price to repair your garage door springs and return your door to like new fast.
