Common Mistakes Homeowners Make with Garage Door Springs

Garage door springs are essential to the smooth and safe operation of your garage door. They carry the burden of lifting and lowering the door and are the most utilized mechanisms of the system, and are now the most common garage door type. However, crucial as springs are, they are also the source of several amateur mistakes, most of which can end up being costly to repair, not to mention safety risks or door failure. Nothing surprises us at Whitby Garage Doors. Here are the pitfalls to avoid.

1. Attempting DIY Repairs

The most common blunder of all homeowners when it comes to fixing or replacing garage door springs is to do it themselves. These springs are wound with extreme pressure, and a mistake can lead to some serious injuries. Only a trained garage door technician has the tools, training and safety knowledge to repair a spring.

2. Ignoring Regular Maintenance

Garage door springs require lubrication and periodic checking. Many homeowners neglect this area of maintenance, and it will cause the springs to wear out prematurely. Just a little lubrication and professional tune-up can give a significant boost to your spring’s life!

3. Waiting Too Long to Replace Springs

Springs don’t last forever. The majority last 7 to 10 years of use. That’s because if you delay that replacement once you start to see symptoms of wear — like squeaking, uneven movement or visible gaps in the coils — you can run the risk that the spring will suddenly break, causing the door to be stuck and making the use of it unsafe.

4. Replacing Only One Spring

For garage doors that utilize a pair of springs, some homeowners opt to save some money by replacing only the broken spring. This is a mistake. Your other spring is probably right there, near the end of its life, too. Doing this to both means well-balanced door operation and one less repair call shortly.

5. Choosing the Wrong Type or Size of Spring

Garage door springs aren’t all the same. The wrong type or size can cause unnecessary stress on the door’s opener and other components, resulting in them wearing out sooner and possibly breaking down. Always select a pro to choose and install the proper springs for your particular garage door.

6. Overlooking Safety Precautions

Garage door springs are more dangerous than homeowners realize. Even simple ones, like attempts to manually lift a door with a broken spring, can result in injury or property damage. If your door seems abnormally heavy, do not try to force it open—you need to contact a professional right away.

Final Thoughts

Garage door springs may appear to be tiny components of your system, but they have a tremendous task. Preventing these errors can save you money, prevent accidents and keep your garage door in good working order.

Should you suspect that your garage door springs need repair or replacement, don’t play a waiting game. Call Whitby Garage Doors today for safe, reliable and expert garage door spring services.