Torsion Spring Replacement Is a Job for the Pros
If you read articles about garage door torsion spring replacement, one thing you will notice is that they strongly suggest NOT to replace springs alone. And there is reason for it. It has mainly to do with your safety but also the way the door performs. It has to do with the removal of the existing spring, the installation of the new one, and the spring type. From the spring you buy to its installation, every detail matters to the door’s movement. And one more thing: springs might not be very expensive, but they are not cheap either. Don’t forget that you should replace them every few years. So why run the risk of doing the job wrong and hurting yourself when the torsion springs replacement cost is reasonable?
Why replace torsion springs frequently
Torsion springs last longer than extension springs. Their lifespan varies depending on torsion spring brand and type and whether or not you have the right spring. It also makes a difference if you have one or two torsion springs. As an overall, they will open and close the garage door either 15 or 20 thousand times depending on spring type. And so the time of torsion spring replacement comes in a few years depending on how often you use the door.
But don’t forget that elements (like humidity) and lack of lubrication will also affect the condition of the springs. And so the torsion spring might break sooner. If the door is heavier than the springs can take, they will also break sooner. And when springs break, the door doesn’t open unless there is a second torsion spring. In this case, you will still need to replace the spring which broke. Why? Because this particular garage door needs two (or more) torsion springs. If one breaks, there will be spring power limitations.
The complex torsion spring system
There is no such thing as one torsion spring fits all doors. There are variations in terms of brand, size, and capacities. Some torsion springs go around the shaft and some go through it. At properties where the headroom is low, the cable drums occupy a different position and the spring winds downwards instead of upwards. In commercial facilities, where there are high, standard, and full vertical lift systems, the cable drums vary too. So torsion spring installation is different too.
When we are talking about torsion spring systems, we are not just talking about the spring itself. And even standard torsion springs are complex. They consist of several parts, including the winding and stationary cones, the central bearing, the bearing plates, and the shaft let alone the cables and their drums. In order for the spring to create torque, wind, and unwind, its adjustment and overall installation must be right. If not, the door will be out of balance and won’t open properly.
What makes torsion spring replacement even harder?
Before you replace the torsion spring, you must buy a new one. Which one will you get? Measuring the inside diameter, wire size, and length of the current spring is important. But in order to measure accurately, you must have the spring in your palms. It’s not easy to measure it when it is still around the shaft. And it gets more difficult if the spring broke. Removing the spring is difficult because you have to disconnect several parts.
And then there is the question of whether or not it’s best to have one, two or more torsion springs. There is also the question of whether or not to get a spring with a longer lifespan. If you already have two springs, it’s the question of whether to replace both or just one. And finally there is the question of whether to get a traditional or galvanizing spring. In order to get answers to such questions, you definitely need a garage door spring repair expert.
Why NOT replace the torsion spring alone
Torsion springs are complex, hard to remove, and even harder to install. They connect with other parts and often you must replace the garage door cables too. But before anything else, you must find the ideal torsion spring for one specific door. If it’s too small or too weak, it will break fast and won’t do its job right.
Such complications make garage door torsion spring replacement difficult. But your safety matters more than anything else. And that’s during spring replacement and afterwards. Replacing springs is dangerous due to spring tension. But spring force can become an enemy even after spring installation. Improper spring installation might lead to two problems:
- The spring might break faster and cause accidents.
- The spring might not keep the door open. And the door won’t hurt someone only if it collapses with force but also if it slides down unexpectedly and especially if the garage door opener sensors don’t work.
Wouldn’t you agree that leaving such tasks to A+ Garage Doors will be to your best interest?