How Long Should A Garage Door Spring Last?

If you own a garage door, you may wonder how long its spring will last before it needs to be replaced. The answer to this question depends on various factors, including the type of spring you have, how often you use your garage door, and the conditions in which it operates. In this post, we'll discuss some of the most critical factors affecting garage door springs lifespan and offer tips for extending their life.

Types of Garage Door Springs

There are two main types of garage door springs:
torsion springs and extension springs. Torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the door on a galvanized steel tube and are more durable than extension springs. Extension springs are mounted vertically on both sides of the door and are more prone to breaking, and you will find them mostly on one-piece garage doors. Torsion springs typically last between 5 and 7 years, while extension springs last between 4 and 6 years. However, these estimates are based on average garage door usage (about four cycles per day), and factors like extreme temperatures, humidity, and frequency of use can significantly affect the lifespan of your garage door springs.

The number of cycles they can handle is an important consideration regarding garage door springs, and one cycle is defined as one full garage door opening and closing. The lifespan of a spring is typically measured in cycles, and it's important to choose a spring that can handle the number of cycles you'll need over its lifespan. Oil-Tempered Springs springs and galvanized torsion springs are two of the most common types of garage door springs.

Here's a look at how they compare in terms of their cycle life:
Oil-Tempered Springs: These springs are made from high-tensile steel wire that has been tempered with oil to improve its strength and durability. Oil-Tempered springs typically last between 15,000 and 20,000 cycles.
Galvanized torsion springs:
These springs are made from the same type of high-tensile steel wire as tempered oil springs, but they are coated in a layer of zinc to protect against corrosion. Galvanized torsion springs typically last between 20,000 and 25,000 cycles.

5 Signs of a Worn-Out Garage Door Spring

You must look for signs that your garage door spring may be worn out or about to break. Some common signs include:

If you notice any of these signs, you must contact a garage door repair technician to look over your springs and replace them if necessary.

Tips for Extending the Life of Your Garage Door Springs

While there's no guaranteed way to extend the life of your garage door springs, there are a few things you can do to minimize wear and tear and keep them functioning properly for as long as possible:
1. Lubricate the Springs Spraying your garage door springs with a silicone-based lubricant can help reduce friction and wear, extending their lifespan. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for lubrication and avoid using WD-40 or other oil-based lubricants, which can attract dirt and debris.
2. Test the Balance of the Door A garage door out of balance can strain the springs, causing them to wear out more quickly. To test the balance of your door, close it and disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle. Then, manually lift the door halfway and release it. If it stays in place, it's appropriately balanced. If it falls or rises, you may need to adjust the spring tension or have a professional adjust it for you.
3. Keep the Springs Clean Dirt and debris can accumulate on your garage door springs over time, causing them to wear out more quickly. To keep them clean, use a soft cloth or brush to gently remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated on them.
4. Replace Both Springs at the Same Time If one of your garage door springs breaks, it's a good idea to replace both springs at the same time, even if the other one appears to be in good condition. This can help ensure that both springs have a similar lifespan and prevent one from wearing out more quickly than the other.

Call SoCal Garage Door Repair Inc. for a fast and expert garage door free estimates and inspections.

Proper functioning of your garage door spring is necessary for the smooth opening and closing of garage doors. Even a trivial issue can lead to the complete malfunctioning of garage doors if the necessary fixes are not made on time. It can be pretty stressful to deal with broken garage door springs, as they are an integral part of your garage doors. The smoothness you get while opening and closing your garage door is all because of a properly functioning spring. What if this spring breaks? Wait no longer and call the professionals of SoCal Garage Door Repair Inc. for industry-standard garage door broken spring repair and replacement services.