Fixing your broken garage door spring can be a costly repair to make. However, it’s something that everyone has to deal with eventually. Garage door springs don’t last forever, although you will find that properly maintaining your door’s spring will increase its life expectancy and save you money over time.

Why do garage door springs break?

Your garage door spring could break for a variety of reasons. It could break because of fluctuations in temperature, old age, rust, or because it hasn’t been maintained or adjusted properly over the years. On average, springs last around 6-10 years, or for about 10,000 cycles. A cycle includes a one-time opening and closing of the door. Of course, this can vary greatly, depending on how often you use your garage door, how well you maintain it, and the spring’s durability.

How can I tell if the spring is broken on my garage door?

If you notice any of the following signs, it likely means your spring is broken or needs to be repaired.

• Your door is not closing all the way or doesn’t close evenly with the ground.
• Your door won’t open when you use your automatic opener.
• When you look at the spring, you can see that it has lost its tension.
• If the spring snaps, the door could come crashing down suddenly. (Just hope that if this happens, no one or nothing is in its path.) If the spring breaks in this manner, it will make a very loud noise.

Note: The spring will likely break when the door is already down; however, it is possible that it could snap when the door is up, sending it crashing down as it breaks.

What do I do after the spring breaks?

Because of the potential danger involved here, do not attempt to move your door (no matter its position) if your spring has broken. Garage doors are extremely heavy to lift with no springs attached. Call WD Door for help.

How do I prevent this from happening again in the future?

To extend the lifespan of your door springs:

• Purchase high-cycle torsion springs when replacing your current springs. (These likely won’t cost you much more than standard springs and could last many years longer.)
• Only use your door when you have to. (Decrease the number of cycles over time.)
• Have your door maintained regularly. (Have it inspected once every year to assure it runs smoothly.)
• Lubricate the springs as recommended by your door manufacturer. (Use a non-silicone-based lubricant. A light-duty (10W-30) motor oil can be used on the springs.)

Can I replace the spring(s) on my own?

NO. We strongly advise you NOT to attempt to replace broken springs on your own. This can be very dangerous for anyone other than a professionally trained technician. Garage door springs are under extreme tension and have the potential to do a lot of harm and damage.

If you have a broken spring and need to have the problem fixed quickly, give us a call on our emergency, 24-hour service line: (515) 963-0989. To contact us for non-emergency service, email us here.

If you do have a broken spring, it can be replaced without having to replace your entire garage door. However, if you wait to replace your spring(s), your door may succumb to damage over time and may end up needing to be replaced entirely. If your door has two springs instead of one, think about replacing both of them, since they are probably on the same life cycle.

If you need a new spring or would like to replace your entire garage door, contact WD Door. We proudly serve customers around Iowa.

Check out our previous blog post, “8 Signs Your Broken Garage Door Needs to be Replaced.“

Winter in Iowa can wreak havoc on your skin and even cause your car to rust due to the amount of salt on the roads. It can also take a toll on your home, including your garage and its entire system.

The spring season is still months away, so it’s important to do your research and prepare your garage for several more weeks of snow and ice. Here are four ways wintertime impacts your garage, specifically the garage’s door.

1. The springs break.

Your garage door has either one or two springs, and if one or both wear out or break, your door could get bent, dented, or even stop operating altogether. These springs can only last for so long, and due to the effect cold temperatures have on metal, these can wear out relatively quickly.

If your garage door springs need to be replaced, do not fix it yourself as this is not a do-it-yourself project! Always call a professional to fix it for you. Garage doors weigh a ton, and it is too easy to get hurt if you don’t know how to properly repair it.

2. The garage door gets stuck.

Your door can freeze to the ground because moisture can get trapped between the bottom of your garage door and the ground. You can avoid this problem altogether by keeping the pathway clear of snow and ice so nothing accumulates, melts, or freezes in the area. If your weather strip is cracked or has holes in it, replace it as the strip isn’t effectively keeping moisture out. Regularly wipe the weather strip clear of sand, salt, and ice.

The door can also get stuck halfway up or down its track. The cold can cause grease to thicken, stopping the garage door from operating properly by knocking the rollers out of alignment and jamming the system. Use a solvent to remove the hardened grease and re-apply fresh lubricant to all moving parts of your garage door system.

3. The metal contracts.

Winter in the Midwest can be a rollercoaster of high and low temperatures. Metal contracts when temperatures dip suddenly, causing your garage door system to stop operating efficiently.

Applying fresh lubricant (but not too much!) is important throughout the winter season—this will help your door glide easily up and down the track. Try running a space heater in your garage to warm up the space and check that the opener’s safety sensors are aligned properly.

4. The opener sensors become dirty.

Your car, and your shoes, can carry a lot of grime into your garage. Snow, mud, salt, and sand can cause your garage’s photo-eye sensors to become dirty. If this happens, the sensors will view that dirt as an obstacle and prevent your door from opening or closing properly. A simple fix is regularly, and carefully, cleaning these sensors with a soft cloth.

You should perform monthly maintenance tasks to keep your garage door running smoothly. Contact WD Door to help you get your garage door and its entire system prepared for the rest of the winter season. Subscribe to our blog today for more information on how to keep your garage door in tip-top shape.

Do you have an old, damaged, or broken garage door? Maybe you’ve been considering either replacing or repairing your door for a while but are unsure which would achieve the best and most cost-effective results. We’re here to help you. Today, we’ll be discussing several signs that suggest you should repair or replace your current garage door.

1. Your door has noticeable dings and dents.

Dents in your door can greatly detract from the curb appeal of your home. Sometimes dents can be removed. Other times, your entire door may need to be replaced.

2. Your wood door has cracks, holes, peeling paint, or is beginning to rot.

If your garage door is showing any of these signs, you may want to consider replacing it. If wooden doors aren’t maintained and refinished regularly, they can begin to deteriorate. UV rays from the sun can cause fading over time. The paint and finish can also wear down, and the wood may begin to rot. Moisture infiltration into holes or cracks can result in serious and irreversible damage.

3. Your door is old.

If you have an older garage door, it may not be well insulated. This is especially problematic if your garage is attached to your home. Insulated garage doors will improve your overall energy efficiency and lower your energy bills by keeping the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

4. Your door is beginning to sag.

If your door sags, it likely needs to be replaced. Wood doors especially can begin to sag over time if not properly maintained. Once your wooden door starts to sag, it usually means it’s beginning to rot and deteriorate, and there’s not much you can do to fix it. If your door isn’t made of wood and is sagging, have a professional come out and inspect it to determine the source of the problem and the best action to take.

5. Your door shakes or makes a lot of noise when operating.

If your door doesn’t run smoothly when opening and closing, chances are there are some broken parts that need to be fixed or replaced.

6. Your door has broken parts, wires, or cords.

Some parts that break can be easily replaced. If the bottom section of the door is damaged, however, your entire door probably needs replacing. If the wiring is malfunctioning, it could lead to serious injury due to the tremendous force that can be exerted as the door closes. Make sure you contact a professional to inspect and repair your system if this is the case.

7. Your door is very difficult to open and close.

Over time, the parts that allow your door to operate smoothly can wear out. If it’s harder than it should be to open and close your door, something isn’t right. Have your door professionally inspected, or you will be putting extra stress on it that could cause greater damage.

8. Your door won’t open or close on its own, or it has a slow response time.

Your door should begin operating within a couple of seconds after you press the button on your opener. If there is a delay, something is wrong with either your door or your opener. A number of issues may cause your door not to operate at all on command. Make sure nothing is blocking your door, preventing it from opening or closing. If not, contact a professional.

If you are unsure whether you should replace or repair your garage door, contact WD Door, and we’ll inspect your system for you. We will diagnose the problems and present you with detailed pricing up front so you know exactly what to expect.

Contact us for all your broken garage door needs! We provide both residential and commercial garage door service to Ankeny, Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ames, and many of the surrounding areas.