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December 17th, 2009 admin No comments

Garage Door Springs Provide Lifting Help

Every once in a while it may become necessary to replace your garage door springs, as they will become weak over time and fail to provide adequate help in raising the garage door. A garage door usually is not light and the springs can save your back if you have a manual lift door or the electric opener.

There are two main types of garage door springs, the torsion spring and the extension spring. A torsion springs are the one that are wound onto a steel bar and are located justr above the door, one on each side. These are the ones that you will want to call a professional to replace. Numerous injuries and a few deaths have been caused by untrained people attempting to replace this type garage door springs.

However, two companies, Clopay and Wayne-Dalton have designed a torsion garage door springs that can be adjusted with an electric drill and are safer for the do-it-yourselfer to install, but to avoid any risk of injury it may still be advisable to have an experienced professional do the work. At an average price range of $75 to $150, depending on the locale, it's a small price to pay for not having a broken bone.

Extension door springs are the ones that hang from the top of the door and are anchored near the back of the upper tracks. These are safer for the do-it-yourself person, but there is still danger and before attempting this project, proper safety precautions are needed.

Inspect Springs For Weakness Before They Snap

Usually when door springs break, they do so when the door is in the down position. That's because that is when they hold the most tension. It's also a good thing because if they break when the door is in the raised position, the door could come slamming down with all its weight. That's why it's recommended to never stand under a garage door when it's opening or closing.

Visually inspect the garage door springs for signs of wear or kinks, especially in extension springs. Additionally, if one spring breaks it's a good idea to replace them both. The second one will most likely be close to breaking as well and it can save the cost of a service call in the near future. Whether you decide to risk doing the job yourself or hire a professional, once the springs are in place, spray on a light coat of oil to protect them from rust. That is the biggest contributor to broken door springs.

About the Author

Scott Fromherz owns and operates multiple websites. For more information on garage door springs go to http://www.GarageBasics.com/ or http://garagebasics.blogspot.com/