Whether you live in a unit with a shared garage or benefit from your own, when the door stops working as it should, this is an inconvenience to many. This is especially the case if you use your garage as your main point of entry and exit to your home. With 16.21 million cars sold in the U.S. in January 2023, it is little wonder most want somewhere safe to store their vehicles.
Instead of waiting until your garage door springs are on their last legs, which can warrant an entire door replacement, learn to notice the telltale signs. From strange noises to visible damage, uneven door movement, or difficulty opening and closing your door, there are many warning indicators to watch out for.
In this guide, we list seven signs to watch out for. All indicate your garage door springs need replacing. Doing so before the problem gets worse will prevent the issue from turning into a much bigger one. Read on to discover what they are.
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Strange Noises
If your garage door is making a squeaking, popping, or groaning noise, it is likely the springs are on their way out. To avoid a costly replacement, you should aim to replace your garage springs before they break. These noises are often caused by worn-out or dry hinges or rollers, broken springs, loose hardware, or misaligned tracks.
If you’re unsure of what the noise means, invest in the help of a professional. They will be able to diagnose the problem on-site and provide you with the quickest solution.
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A Sagging Garage Door
If your garage door looks like it is sagging, this is another sign the springs are worn out. Worse still, they may already be broken. To avoid further damage, it’s wise to replace your springs immediately. Aside from looking unsightly and devaluing your curb appeal, a sagging garage door with broken springs can be hazardous to those using it.
A sagging door is often caused by worn-down springs, damaged or loose hardware, misaligned tracks, or weather damage, such as extreme coldness or humidity. Both can cause your door to expand and retract. This can lead to a misshaped door. If you catch the issue early, your door will likely require a replacement part instead of an entirely new frame.
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Delayed Opening and Closing Times
Another sign of worn-out springs is delayed opening and closing times. This is a nuisance to those rushing to get to work or into their home. Other factors that can worsen the matter include obstructions such as debris or ice and snow, misaligned tracks, and a faulty garage door opener. Replacing your garage door’s springs is the most effective way to rectify this problem.
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Difficulty Opening and Closing Your Garage Door
Equally annoying and also a sign of worn down garage springs is a garage door that is a challenge to open or close. These doors are supposed to make your life easier and shouldn’t warrant a workout. In addition, if the garage door belongs to an office and is left to go to ruin, your staff may become trapped inside.
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Visible Damage
An obvious pointer is visual damage. Yet a garage door isn’t something we all pay close attention to. This is specifically the case if you only ever view it from the inside of your vehicle. To avoid broken springs turning into something more serious, take a closer look at your garage door once in a while. If you notice rust, breaks in the springs, or cracks, it’s time to invest in some new ones.
This requires investing in the services of a trained professional. They will be able to remove the old springs and replace them with new ones. These will likely come with a warranty, giving you peace of mind knowing that if anything goes wrong, you’re covered.
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The Age of Your Garage Door Springs
In most cases, quality garage door springs will last between seven and ten years. If your springs are coming up to this age, it’s a good idea to get a specialist to look at them. They can give you a trustworthy indication of how long they have left in them.
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Uneven Door Movement
If your garage door isn’t opening or closing smoothly and consistently, this is another sign it is time to replace the springs, as they are likely losing tension. Several factors, including uneven spring tension, a faulty garage door opener, an uneven garage floor, or damaged cables, can cause this. To determine the exact problem, call out a garage specialist. They can visit your home and provide a detailed report on the issue.
The Bottom Line
Two-thirds of U.S. housing units feature a garage. If you use yours regularly, pay close attention to its features and whether they operate as well as they should.
From rust to a sagging door to delayed opening and closing times, there are numerous indicators to look out for. Replacing your garage door springs before they break is less costly and time-consuming than replacing them after they break.
This task should only ever be performed by a specialist. Attempting to fix or replace the springs yourself can lead to injury. If you’ve read the tips above and think your garage door springs are on their last legs, get in touch with a specialist today!
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