What happens if torsion springs are broken?
These springs are primarily responsible for lifting your garage door. If the torsion spring is broken, the door will not go up. Attempting to lift your garage door at this point is extremely dangerous and doing so can cause your garage door opener to break.
When one garage door spring breaks, it's easy to assume you can save money and time by just replacing the broken spring rather than both of them. However, in order to ensure the safety of your garage door and avoid further damage, you should replace both springs immediately after one breaks.
When one garage door spring breaks, it's easy to assume you can save money and time by just replacing the broken spring rather than both of them. However, in order to ensure the safety of your garage door and avoid further damage, you should replace both springs immediately after one breaks.
- Cycle Life Rating: The cycle life of a torsion spring refers to the number of cycles (one full open-close operation of the garage door) the spring is expected to endure before breaking. In the garage door industry, the standard cycle life rating is typically 10,000 cycles.
- Factors Affecting Cycle Life: Premature breakage can occur due to factors such as defects in the steel, corrosion, or other environmental conditions. These factors may cause springs with a cycle life rating under 10,000 cycles to fail sooner than expected.
- Upgrading Cycle Life: If you require more than the standard 10,000 cycles from your torsion springs, you can opt for springs with a larger wire size. Thicker steel springs take longer to break as they require more bending before reaching their breaking point.
- Adjusting Dimensions: Increasing the wire size of the springs may necessitate adjustments to the spring length and inside diameter to maintain the same lift and torque rating and ensure proper fit on the shaft, especially for narrower, heavier garage doors.
- Finding Compatible Springs: When searching for torsion springs, you may find options with the same lift but different cycle life ratings listed. You can upgrade your springs by choosing one with a higher cycle life rating, either by selecting a compatible spring with more cycles or by browsing larger wire sizes for a spring that meets your requirements.
- By understanding torsion spring cycle life and how it relates to garage door operation, you can make informed decisions when selecting and upgrading torsion springs for your garage door system.
Torsion Spring Maintenance
Applying lubricant to your garage door's moving parts is an essential part of regular maintenance to ensure smooth operation and prolong the life of the components. Here's how you can properly lubricate your garage door, including the torsion springs, with caution:
Spread Lubricant: After applying lubricant to the torsion springs and other moving parts, manually open and close the garage door several times to help spread the lubricant evenly and ensure it reaches all areas.
Clean Excess Lubricant: Use a clean rag or cloth to wipe away any excess lubricant that may have accumulated on the surfaces of the garage door or surrounding areas.
By following these steps and exercising caution when lubricating the torsion springs, you can effectively maintain your garage door and keep it operating smoothly for years to come. Regular lubrication as part of your maintenance routine can help prevent premature wear and reduce the risk of malfunctions.
Spread Lubricant: After applying lubricant to the torsion springs and other moving parts, manually open and close the garage door several times to help spread the lubricant evenly and ensure it reaches all areas.
Clean Excess Lubricant: Use a clean rag or cloth to wipe away any excess lubricant that may have accumulated on the surfaces of the garage door or surrounding areas.
By following these steps and exercising caution when lubricating the torsion springs, you can effectively maintain your garage door and keep it operating smoothly for years to come. Regular lubrication as part of your maintenance routine can help prevent premature wear and reduce the risk of malfunctions.