How Long Should My Garage Door Springs Last?

How long a garage door spring will last depends on how often the door is used and the cycle rating of the springs. In todays' modern garage doors Torsion springs provide over 90% of the lift needed to raise a garage door so they are critical to your doors' operation and broken springs are one of the most common garage door repairs needed.

Most garage doors open and close 3-5 times a day, 300+ days a year. Multiply that by by 10 years. The reason they use 10 years is because that’s the average life of a garage door, though many last much longer. The standard non-coated springs are rated at 10,000 cycles meaning they should last between 7 and 10 years.

Precision Garage Door Springs are heavy-duty, powder-coated to resist rust, and rated at a minimum 33,000 cycles to ensure a longer life expectancy for the entire garage door system. That means they will last three to four times as long before you'll need to worry about them.

What is the Life Expectancy of My Garage Door Springs?

How long a garage door spring will last depends on how often the door is used and the cycle rating of the springs. In todays' modern garage doors Torsion springs provide over 90% of the lift needed to raise a garage door so they are critical to your doors' operation and broken springs are one of the most common garage door repairs needed.

Most garage doors open and close 3-5 times a day, 300+ days a year. Multiply that by by 10 years. The reason they use 10 years is because that’s the average life of a garage door. The standard non-coated springs are rated at 10,000 cycles meaning they should last between 7 and 10 years.

Precision Garage Door Springs are heavy-duty, powder-coated to resist rust, and rated at a minimum 33,000 cycles to ensure a longer life expectancy for the entire garage door system. That means they will last two to three times as long before you'll need to worry about them.

Struggling With Your Garage Door?

If your garage door does not go up and down smoothly and easily, you may have a potentially unsafe condition. Even older garage door systems should operate smoothly and easily. If you're struggling to open your door even when the door is manually operated, you may have a spring system that is out of balance. When a garage door is out of balance it can cause premature wear and tear on other important door parts. We've talked before about the dangers of repairing or replacing garage door spring systems (they can be hazardous) so please have the door looked at by a trained garage door technician.

The Garage Door Parts Most Likely to Fail

Garage door systems have many moving parts and all are susceptible to wear, tear and failure. However, three of these components are the most common to experience a problem.

Springs
Springs, especially torsion springs, frequently fail and are also the most expensive. Many manufacturers and service companies use un-coated springs rated at about 10,000 cycles. (A cycle is one Open/Close). This type of spring is expected to fail 3-5 years. Precision Door uses powder-coated commercial grade springs that resist rust and have cycle ratings of 30,000 or higher, meaning a much longer lifecycle. Always ask about the cycle ratings on all springs when considering replacement.

Rollers
Rollers help guide the door up and down the track. Most companies use a plastic or nylon tire on a steel shaft. These will generally show significant wear within 18 months of normal use. Rollers with bearings are typically better; Ask about the cycle and weight ratings on the rollers your technician recommends.

BearingsBearings are the third most frequent component to fail. A typical garage door should have three sets situated in the middle and both ends of the door. Many doors come with only two bearing sets and one plastic bushing.

Being aware of the garage door components most likely to fail will enable you to make a more informed decision when buying, maintaining or repairing your door system. The result is a longer lasting and smoother operating door.

Precision Garage Door Service is proud to serve you in Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona & New Mexico

How to Open Your Garage Door When the Power Goes Out

When wind storms cause big power outages, we get a number of call about doors not opening.  While you may not want to go outside, you certainly don’t want to be locked in. Here’s how to open your garage door manually.

First, disconnect the garage door from the automatic opener. Just pull the emergency cord to disconnect. The cord usually has a red handle and will hang down from the center rail of the garage door system.  Note it will make a loud click when it disconnects. Remember to disconnect the door when the door is in the closed position, not when it’s open.

With the door disconnected from the opener lift the garage door straight up until the door is fully open. Make sure the door will remain fully open before leaving it unattended. If the springs are properly balanced, the door will open easilyand stay in place. If it is difficult to open, have a professional garage door service technician check the door as soon as possible as this is a sign of poor spring tension and can lead to damage or safety risks.

Once your car is out of the garage, you can manually close the door. If your door is equipped with a manual slide lock engage it now to fully secure the door.

When the power comes back on remember to reconnect the opener and make sure the door is unlocked. Trying to open a locked door has damaged many a garage door opener.
If you are replacing your opener, you may want to consider one of the many models that includes a battery backup feature. That way, when the power goes out, the garage door will still function using the opener, as will the safety sensors and remotes, plus the garage door will be locked and secured.

Contact Precision Door if you have questions.

Why is My Garage Door so Heavy?

Garage doors are usually the the largest moving piece of machinery in your home, with an average size of a two car door being 16′ wide and 7′ high. So it should be no surprise that; regardless of the type of material used, they will be heavy.

That’s why there are springs and a counter balance system to take all that weight, and make it easy for you or your Garage Door Openers to handle easily. However, springs do break and/or relax over time, making the doors feel heavier. The second problem with "heavy" doors involves your opener. Stripped gears are often caused by this type of problem.

If your springs are broken or nearing the end of their useful life; consider replacing them. Springs are rated on "cycles" (open & close) and most "Builders Grade" springs are rated at 10,000 cycles and will last (depending on use) about 3-5 years. Precision springs are powder coated spring rated at 33,000 cycles.

If your door is starting to feel heavy, it’s a good idea to have maintenance done about once a year. Have a professional check for proper spring tension, the condition of your entire system, and replace or adjust them if needed.

A Little Care will Keep Your Garage Doors Working

Most of us have garage doors. But we usually do not think about them much until they need repairing. That is the time that you normally start looking for a garage door repair professional.

The truth is, you will be a lot better off if you do not wait until the doors stop working to call a service company. There is regular maintenance that the company can do to help keep your doors from breaking down. At these appointments, the service technician will inspect the doors thoroughly and look for any possible problems.

Garage doors are pretty simple devices. They operate through the use of springs and a low power motor to guide the open and closing of the door. Simple as they seem, it is still best to call in a professional when they are not working. 

Door springs hold a lot of tension. For this reason, it is best and safer to have a professional do the replacement. These are the parts that most frequently wear out. If you are noticing that your doors are beginning to open and close more slowly, chances are the spring replacement will be needed soon.

If you cannot get the door open at all, it is possible that the remote control is the problem. If you cannot see any other problems, try replacing the remote batteries before you call in professional help.

Another potential problem is misalignment of the doors on their tracks. During regular maintenance appointments, your service person will inspect the tracks, as well as ensuring they are properly lubricated. He will look for any loose screws as well as areas that seem like they could cause trouble. An example of this is an area of the track that is becoming misshapen due to constant scraping while vehicles are backed out.

Go ahead and schedule an appointment for maintenance before the door actually breaks down. Precision Garage Door Service specializes in garage door repair, service, sales and installation of garage doors and openers.

Why is My Garage Door so Heavy?

Garage doors are generally the largest moving piece of machinery in your home, with an average size of 8′ wide and 7′ high for a single car door and 16" by 7' high for a double car door. Regardless of the type of material used, they will be heavy. That’s why there are springs and a counter balance system to take all that weight, and make it easy for you or your Garage Door Openers to handle easily. Over time, springs do break and/or relax, making the doors feel heavier. Stripped openers gears are often caused by this type of problem. To check this - occasionally disconnect your door from the opener. Pull down on the Red cord to accomplish this... If the door is "heavy" and/or will not stay half open on it's own... it’s a good idea to have some maintenance done. (Note: Annual Maintenance is recommended). Springs are dangerous - have a professional check for proper spring tension, and adjust them if needed.

How to Do General Maintenance On Your Garage Door

If Life is like a box of chocolates... Your garage door is like a toaster. Every time you make toast on it, crumbs and oils fall to the bottom of the machine and onto the wires as well. The more you use the toaster without cleaning it the more the crumbs pile up. As time passes, these crumbs and the oil react with the metal and cause rusting. To avoid rust and prolong the life of your toaster you need to clean it regularly.

Just like your toaster; your garage door needs regular maintenance. Daily use can wear out the springs, loosen screws, cause misalignments or dents on the tracks, and cause the paint to chip. Here are a few maintenance tips you can do to make sure your garage door works perfectly and lasts for a good many years.

Check the tracks for dents and if there are any, pound them back into place (gently) with a hammer.Realign misaligned tracks both sides should be level with each other and slanting slightly towards the back of your garage. Clean the tracks and remove any debris. You can use a paintbrush to brush away the debris and a mild detergent to remove dirt and grease. Check and tighten any loose nuts, bolts, and fasteners. Use a screwdriver to screw them back into place. Lubricate the tracks, pulleys, and rollers. A lubricant spray specially formulated for garage doors will help to make sure that they operate smoothly.

Check the door’s spring tension by opening and closing it manually. Make sure it does so fully. If it feels too heavy to lift, or if you bring it to a halfway open position and it opens or closes, you may have a problem with the springs. The springs will probably have to be adjusted. This is dangerous and many people get hurt each year trying this.. so.... call a garage door professional to do it for you.

Do a safety reverse test by placing a piece of 2x4 tall side up below the door and see if the door reverses on sensing it. Adjust the force limits if necessary. (not sure how.. call us).
Give your garage door a fresh coat of paint every few years. Chipped off paint will expose the door to the elements so it is necessary to make sure that the paint on your door isn’t cracked or chipping off. If the wear and tear is only on a few small spots, you can do spot painting on those areas. Before you do a complete paint job, check your door’s manual for the correct materials to use on your door.

If you need garage door repairs Precision Garage Door of Seattle provides 24-hour emergency service and our certified technicians know their profession.

What Should I use to Lubricate my Garage Door

To maintain your warranty, lubricate your garage door at least once a year with Precision Door Lube. This specially formulated lubricant can be purchased from the Precision Door Service in your area. Apply the Door Lube to each of the following areas of the door: hinges, rollers (bearings and shafts), springs and end bearings (located at each end of the spring shaft). Once the application is completed, open and close the door to distribute the lubricant.

Replace your old garage door springs

The springs on your garage door are the most important part of your door. They can also be the most dangerous. Most garage door springs are rated for 10,000 cycles. If you do the math, you probably open and close your garage door about 4-5 times a day. This means your springs will typically last about 5-7 years under normal use. If your door has two springs, replace both, even if one is not broken. Why? Both springs were originally rated for the same number of cycles, when one breaks it puts more pressure on the other and, because they were rated similarly, it is due to break soon. Replacing both springs during your garage door repair will not only prevent any damage caused by the breaking of the second spring, but also keep your door working efficiently.

When replacing your springs look for high cycle rating springs Precision springs are rated at 33,000 + cycles and therefore will last about 3-4 times as long as "standard" springs. It is always a good idea to have your garage door spring system inspected at least once a year by a professional overhead garage door technician.

4 Things to Know about Your Garage Door Springs

The safety of a garage door is directly attributed to the system components working together.

1) Torsion Springs (located above the door) are now the most common type of garage door springs.

2) Most doors require two springs that work in tandum to make your door system work smoothly. Spring pairs should be replaced together, since the mate is likely to fail soon after the first, and any possible savings in parts isn’t worth the extra effort to repeat the work later.

3) Correct spring size is determined by factors such as the weight and height of the door. For example, garage door springs are designed to accommodate the original intended weight of the door. If additional weight is added to the door sections after the original door installation, the door could become unbalanced such that operation is not smooth, possibly even resulting in damaged or broken springs.

4. If your garage door is out of balance or has a broken spring it will adversely affect your garage door opener motor as it could become overworked or cease functioning.

Your garage door's smooth operation depends on having the right springs working properly. These are NOT good DIY projects. If you have an out of balance door or broken spring - Call a Professional.

What is the Most Complicated Part of your Garage Door?

The most complicated part of a garage door is the opener and its hardware. That includes the opener (motor), the springs, the tracks and brackets. All these parts combine to make your garage door work smoothly over and over and over again.

One of the most important parts are the actual springs themselves. These powerful springs are under very high tension and that’s what gives them the strength to lift the weight of the door. If you look at your garage door, you’ll most often see a spring running across the top above the door.
The springs mounted to the header, just above the top of the door are called Torsion springs. Torsion springs are a wound spring, which means it winds up into a coil, and they can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. Torsion springs wind up as the door closes, creating a great deal tension. Working on this type of spring is for professionals only. This is not a DIY project.

The remaining hardware of your opening system includes bottom brackets, cable drums, the door tracks with their hangers, plus various hingles plates and rollers. All this hardware is designed to work together to create the smooth operation of your garage door. So make sure you keep it maintained. Just like your car, this system needs at least annual maintenance to insure it works smoothly and lasts longer.

The "opener" is a motor that guides the door up and down. These typically will be one of three types – chain drive, screw drive or belt drive. The most popular today is the belt drive. While these are more expensive, it’s smooth and quiet operation is a big benefit. The most affordable option is the chain drive system, while the screw drive is powerful but slow-moving. When you schedule your annual garage door maintenance, make sure to have the opener serviced as well.

Why Replace Old Springs?

We hear this all the time... Your garage door springs are easily the most important and most dangerous part of your door. The springs are what open your door.. the opener is simply the guide. Springs do wear out over time and when they break, injury can result. If you have an older garage door, have your springs inspected by a trained and certified technician and replaced if needed. If your door has two springs, have both replaced even if one is not broken. Why? Remember that the second spring has been operating the same length of time as the broken one. Replacing both springs will not only prevent any damage caused by the breaking of the second spring, but also keep your door working efficiently. Ask your door professional for high cycle, commercial quality springs (30,000 cycles or more). They'll last much longer and have a much longer warranty. Have additional questions? Get answers.

How to Select a Garage Door Company

You have a wide range of choices when it comes to selecting a garage door company to work with. Choices range from huge home supply stores to the local handyman and each has its advantages and drawbacks.

Consider the following questions when selecting your Garage door company

Selection:
• Do they have a wide selection of door styles and openers to fit your needs?
Experience:
• Are they specialists? Are Garage door installations and repair all they do?
Professionalism:
• Who will do the work? Are the technicians trained and certified? Are they Company employees or do they hire sub-contractors? Are they members of industry associations like IDA?
Scheduling:
• Are they available when you need them or do you adjust to their schedule? Do they work evening and weekends? Do they offer 24/7 emergency services? Will they need multiple trips or just one visit?
Pricing:
• Do they charge extra for emergencies or for evening or weekends appointments? Do they provide multiple options?
Warranties:
• What is the warranty on the Door? Do they offer warranties on parts and labor too? For how long?
Reputation:
• Are they local, licensed, bonded and insured? What is their rating with the BBB?
Quality:
• Do they offer a variety of brand name products? How environmentally sensitive are they?
Parts:
• What is the quality of the parts they use?
– What is the “cycle rating” of their springs (quality springs should last 30,000 cycles or more)
– Are Springs powder coated to eliminate rust?
– Are rollers made with ball-bearings or are they plastic?

Garage Door Repair - Assessing the Problem

Home Improvement Expert Andrew Stratton says... It can be quite easy to take your garage door for granted. Each day, as if by magic, this massive, metal contraption opens and closes at the push of a button, providing security, storage, and peace of mind. But what happens when the magic stops? This article, outlines the steps necessary in order to assess issues of garage door repair.

If you find yourself in a situation where the door fails to work, it's worth-while to first, cover the basics.

1. Check the see that the power is one in the house. If you find that there is, in fact, power running to the opener, it's time to further evaluate the situation.
2. Establish what type of spring system your door uses. There are two types of systems: The first is the extension spring. This type can be quickly and easily identified through the location of the long extension springs which run parallel with the tracks. There are a variety of dangers to consider when it comes to handling high pressure springs, however, by following the manufacturer's instructions and paying close attention to your surroundings, home owners can successfully work on these types.
   If your door is operated through the use of a large mounted above the door, it is recommended the repair be left to a trained professional. This type of spring is called a torsion spring. This device is wound very tightly before being bolted into place. Fixing these springs through DIY methods is very dangerous and should not be attempted by inexperienced handymen.

In the event that you are unable to fix the problem, there is a method which will enable entry. If you've ever looked around your garage, chances are you've noticed that little red cord hanging from the ceiling. This is your ticket out... or in, depending on your desired use. Pulling this cable essentially disconnect the door from the opening system. With the door disconnected you should be able to open and shut the door.

If you believe that the issue lies more with a structural problem with the unit or tracks, try your best to figure out who the manufacturer is. You may simply be able to order the pieces which require replacement.

As a general rule, it is recommended to consult the advice of a professional in any cases which appear to be beyond your comprehension level.

If you are looking for garage door repair in the Seattle area, local experts can provide you with excellent and dependable service and also give a warranty on the work done. To know more, visit GarageDoorSeattle.com

Garage Doors – 3 Most Frequently Asked Troubleshooting Questions

Homeowners have plenty of questions about their garage doors and openers but most involve one of the following three issues.

1. Why does it reverse or open back up instead of closing?
This is, most likely, the result of your safety eyes are out of alignment, or something may be blocking the path of the garage door. The safety sensors need a clear line of sight between each other in order for the opener to close completely. These small units are usually black, and attached at the base of the tracks on either side of your door opening. Each should have a small LED light that remains lit when both sensors are properly aligned. If bumped out of place, they can be adjusted by hand so that they are pointing at each other again. It’s also fairly common for the lenses on the safety eyes to become obscured by dirt or other debris, as well. Just make sure the "eyes" can see each other for smooth operations.

2. Why is my garage door so heavy?
Garage doors are usually the generally the largest moving piece of machinery in your home, with an average size of 8′ wide and 7′ high. Regardless of the type of material used, they will be heavy. That’s why there are springs and a counter balance system to take all that weight, and make it easy for you or your Garage Door Openers to handle easily. However, springs do break and/or relax over time, making the doors feel heavier. Stripped openers gears are often caused by this type of problem. It’s a good idea to have some maintenance done about once a year. Have a professional check for proper spring tension, and adjust them if needed.

3. Why won’t it go up? / Why is it stuck in the down position?
Take a look at the springs located on the wall above the garage door. There should be no break, or separation in the coils. Springs generally last for about 3-5 years, depending on the amount of daily usage. Again, these provide the force for balancing out all that weight. When one breaks, it can make things too heavy to lift, causing it to seem stuck in place. If one of yours is broken, you’ll need to call a professional as this is not a DIY project. If the springs don't appear to be broken, try pulling the emergency release. This will allow manual operation, without the motor. It may be that your springs have relaxed to the point that the opener can’t lift the weight anymore.

Hopefully, this answers some of your questions. If you still have issues that weren’t covered here, you may want to take a look at the FAQ section of our website. We also have links to a number of manufacturers and owner’s manuals.

Routine Maintenance Keeps Your Garage Door and Opener Working

Remember the old commercial about changing oil in your car regularly? They ended with "Pay me now or pay me later". Much the same can be said for your garage door system. Monthly garage door opener maintenance keeps your unit working smoothly and efficiently for years. Follow these maintenance steps for many years of trouble free operation.

Garage Door Maintenance
-Your opener won't work well unless the door is properly adjusted and maintained.
-Start with a visual inspection of all brackets, hinges, fasteners, springs and door tracks.
-If rollers are worn, they should be replaced.
-Bent brackets should be straightened or replaced.
-Make sure all bolts and screws are properly tightened.
- Oil hinges and rollers, but not the tracks. Do not oil plastic rollers. Oil on the tracks will cause dirt accumulation. Use a silicone spray oil.
- If tracks have a buildup of dirt or oil/grease, clean with disc brake cleaner.

To check spring adjustment, make sure the door is fully closed, then pull the release cord or chain to release door from opener.

If the garage door opener is released with the door open, there is the danger that the door will fall. Doors are heavy and a falling door can cause serious injury and damage.

With the operator disconnected, open door halfway. When released, the door should not move more than an inch or two. If it does, springs require adjustment or replacement.

If springs need adjustment, follow manufacturers instructions precisely. Torsion springs are mounted above the door and are very dangerous. Torsion springs should only be adjusted by a professional.

Extension springs should only be adjusted when the door is fully opened to release tension on the springs. Also keep in mind that the bottom spring brackets are under extreme tension when the door is closed, so don't attempt to tighten, or especially loosen these brackets, with the door less than fully open.

If springs need replaced, replace both. Replacing only one spring will cause an improperly operating door. The door should open and close easily and smoothly.

Garage Door Opener Maintenance
- Inspect mounting brackets, cables, fasteners, etc.
- Replace bent or broken parts
- Tighten loose bolts or screws
- Lubricate chain or screw drive
- Perform safety reversing test

• Lay a 2X4 on the floor under the door -Operate door opener - door should reverse when it comes in contact with the obstruction (the 2X4)If it does not reverse, have your door opener adjusted.If you try this yourself, follow manufacturers directions precisely.

Improperly adjusted doors can be very dangerous to small children and pets
If your garage door opener is equipped with a photoelectric beam, placing an obstruction between the sensors should prevent the door closing -Clean the lenses.

Making regular maintenance a habit will give you many years of trouble free operation.

For additional information visit Precision Door.

5 Things Every Home Owner Should Know About Repairing Garage Doors

The most common garage door repair is the Garage door springs. They are designed to do virtually all of the work necessary to lift your garage door. Garage door springs, cables, brackets, and other hardware attached to the springs, are under very high tension and, if not handled properly, can cause serious injury.

1. When dealing with garage door springs, you should take into account what type of door you have (sectional, tracked one-piece), and what type of springs you have. Garage Door Springs are available in two main types: extension and torsion.

2. Garage door springs come in different lengths to accommodate various standard size doors, from single garage doors to double doors. Garage door springs are sized or adjusted at time of initial installation to balance the weight of the garage door. It is important when handling springs to prevent any nicks or scrapes to the wire.

3. Spring pairs should be replaced together, since the mate is likely to fail soon after the first, and any possible savings in parts isn’t worth the extra effort to repeat the work later. You must release the tension on the garage door springs before attempting adjustment or replacement.

4. Correct spring size is determined by factors such as the weight and height of the door. For example, garage door springs are designed to accommodate the original intended weight of the door. If additional weight is added to the door sections after the original door installation, the door could become unbalanced such that operation is not smooth, possibly even resulting in damaged or broken springs.

5. Also, the function of any opener on the door could be adversely affected such that a motor could become overworked or cease functioning. The safety of a garage door is directly attributed to the design of these components working together without any other added material. For example, adding weight, including hanging large objects, to any part of the door or track can obstruct the pathway of the door and can cause the horizontal track to twist, buckle or deform. This has the potential to allow the door to fall out of the horizontal track.

Because doors are large, heavy moving objects that can weigh anywhere from 90 pounds to over 500 pounds, a door falling out of its tracks is dangerous to persons, and hazardous to property, under the door or in the area. Always consult with experienced repair services like Precision Door Service.

The Three Garage Door components most likely to fail

There are many moving parts in your garage door system and all are susceptible to wear and ultimate failure. However, three of these components are the most common to experience a problem.
1. Rollers
2. Springs
3. Bearings

Rollers are one of the most frequently failing components on garage doors, Most manufacturers are using bearing-less rollers which have a plastic or nylon tire on a steel shaft. These will generally show significant wear within 18 months of normal use.
Rollers with bearings are typically better; Ask about the cycle and weight ratings on the rollers your technician recommends.

Springs are the second most frequently failing component and also the most expensive. Many manufacturers and service companies use springs manufactured from a lower grade of wire. Most of these are rolled cold which increases metal fatigue potential. Additionally, with few exceptions the wire is not coated and will therefore be susceptible to rust which also increases metal fatigue. On this type of spring expect replacement in 3-5 years. However, there are commercial grade springs available. These are typically coated to resist rust and have much higher cycle ratings, meaning a much longer lifecycle. Ask your garage door service company about the cycle ratings on all springs. Additionally, many entry level door systems are manufactured using a single spring. A good two car door (greater than 10 ft wide) should have two springs. Use of a single spring will have a significantly shorter life. Ask what the expected cycle rating is on springs for the door you are interested in.

Bearings are the third most frequent component to fail. A door should have three sets situated in the middle and both ends of the door. Many doors come with only two bearing sets and one plastic bushing.

Being aware of the garage door components most likely to fail will enable you to make a more informed decision when buying, maintaining or repairing your door system.

Remember to ask – The result is a longer lasting and smoother operating door.
Precision Garage Door Service is proud to serve you in Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona & New Mexico