Garage doors are not something that most people think about on a daily basis. They simply raise and lower them on a whim until the one day when it no longer works. One of the most common causes for breakage in garage doors is the springs. These small pieces of metal are put under an enormous amount of pressure everyday — creating the perfect environment for wear and tear or breakage to occur.

Garage door semantics

With a garage door weighing in at around 500 pounds, that is a lot of weight that needs to be supported. It is the springs who take on the job. There are two types of springs that can be found on garage doors. Extension springs are on the sides of the doors, right on the upper tracks. Torsion springs are attached above the closed door. In order to allow the door to be lifted, the tension used is created by the springs. With the amount of tension that is inside each spring, when they snap, the force of the released tension makes these metal projectiles capable of causing grievous injury or death. Either type of spring can break due to use, and both of them can be extremely dangerous when they do. This is NO DIY job!

What a professional can do for you

A professional technician has plenty of experience in dealing with unpredictable garage doors and springs. They will:

• Ensure the door is balanced properly
• Properly wind the torsion springs to keep problems from occurring
• Bring the proper tools to measure, cut, and install springs with the proper amount of tension
• Keep a safe work environment

 What homeowners can do themselves

Lubrication is a safe process for the DIYer to attempt from a safe distance. The springs can be amply coated with a lubricant which is silicone based to get rid of squeaks and other noises. Make sure not to actually touch the springs during the spraying! If sufficient lubrication is not enough to get rid of any noises the door was making, a more serious problem may be in the works and it is time to call your chosen professional.