Getting to know your garage door and its components is essential to being a homeowner. From the opener system to the door itself and even the garage door springs, it's important to learn your door so you can recognize if there is ever any potential damage or maintenance needs. When it comes to maintenance, you should always leave it to the professionals.
When you call for service, you may be asked if you have torsion or extension springs. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to work on garage doors because springs are something that should be left to the experts.
So, what are torsion and extension springs? Which ones are best? We’ve answered all your frequently asked garage door questions.
Torsion Springs
Torsion garage door springs are located above the door opening and installed on the front wall of the garage. They are typically found in newer homes and garages and are the status quo these days. Some doors may have more than one spring if they need additional weight-lifting capabilities, such as in the case of large double doors. These turn to open the door, and they can save space while providing better operation. These doors can last 20,000 cycles, or as long as seven years, before needing to be replaced.
Extension Springs
Extension springs are usually found in older garages. These springs run alongside the track, taking up more space, and they are connected to pulleys and cables in various layouts to create a complete circuit for opening and closing. These are tricky to set up and keep balanced, and they are much more prone to wear and tear over time. Most extension springs are good for about 10,000 cycles or 3-5 years of use, depending on how frequently you use your garage door.
Choose Quality Garage Door Springs and Service
Regardless of what kind of springs you’re dealing with, you need to make sure that you choose the best parts and services that you can find. If you still have extension springs, it might be time to consider upgrading your garage door's torsion spring system. Take the time to find a professional garage door repair expert who can walk you through the process and ensure that the springs are permanently installed securely and in good working order.
Plus, they’ll know how to carefully work with the heavy weight of garage doors and the springs under a lot of pressure.
What Else Should I Know About Garage Door Spring Repairs?
When you contact a garage door expert, they’ll be able to help you better understand your garage door spring system, how it works, and what might not be working as it should. Now that you’re more informed, that should be a much more accessible, more beneficial interaction.