The spring is one of the most important parts of any garage door, and when it breaks, it can be a big problem. Without a functional torsion spring, opening and closing the door can become difficult to impossible. Fortunately, there are ways to tell when the torsion spring is in trouble. With careful observation and by being proactive, you can get help from a professional before the situation becomes dire. Here’s what you need to know.

What Does the Garage Door Spring Do?

Typical garage doors weigh between 130 and 350 pounds. For any normal adult, lifting a small door can be a challenge, and lifting a large, heavy door can be nearly impossible. That’s why the spring, also called the torsion spring, is important. The spring over your door counteracts the forces of gravity to make lifting the door easier.

For an automatic garage door, the spring lightens the load on the motor and reduces wear and tear on the unit. If you’re lifting the door manually, the torsion spring reduces pressure on your back and helps prevent injuries. In the event of a power outage, when the automatic garage door opener may not be working, the spring makes moving the door possible.

What Are the Signs You Need Garage Door Spring Repair?

If the torsion spring suffers damage, you’ll notice problems like:

• Spring is rusted or has corrosion on it
• The door is harder to lift than it used to be
• The garage door opener closes faster than it used to
• The spring is sagging in the middle

Trouble with the spring can happen because of general wear and tear, or because of problems like leaks, causing the spring to rust or become corroded.

How Can You Keep Your Garage Door Spring in Good Condition?

You can keep your torsion spring in good condition by getting it serviced at least once annually by a garage door repair person. During your annual tune-up, your garage door contractor will inspect the spring, oil it if needed, and suggest repairs, if repairs are warranted.

What Happens When Your Garage Door Spring Breaks?

Torsion springs are under high pressure, and when they break, parts of the spring may shoot across the garage and cause serious injuries or property damage. It’s important to get your garage door spring repaired at the first signs that it’s in trouble.

Have a Broken Garage Door Spring? Contact the Pros

Overhead Door Company of Fayetteville fixes and maintains garage door springs in and around the Fayetteville area. If your spring is showing signs of wear and tear, contact us today to set up an appointment for garage door maintenance.