Increasing Garage Door Duration with Spring Adjustments

The spring is the part of the door that does the most work, as it supports most of the door's weight.

If a garage door is having problems more often than it should, spring adjustments could be the solution. Homeowners want their garage doors to last as long as possible due to the cost of replacement. By maintaining the moving parts regularly, the life of a garage door can be extended by several years. The springs, especially, do the most work to open the garage door and therefore require the most maintenance to prolong the life of the overall door system.

Function of a garage door spring

First, it’s important to understand the basic mechanics of a garage door. The spring is the part of the door that does the most work, as it supports most of the door's weight. The opener applies a small amount of force by pulling a chain or belt along a track connected to the door, which winds and unwinds the spring. If the spring is under too much tension or isn’t properly maintained, it can split into two.

Routine spring adjustments

Regular spring adjustments can extend the life of a garage door spring by 2 - 4 years. Springs are tricky, though, because they have to be wound up a specific amount and require a large amount of torque built up, making them dangerous to work with for the inexperienced.

A trained professional, however, can make the adjustments safely in a matter of minutes. Though hiring a professional comes at a cost, these adjustments save money in the long-run because they prolong the life of a spring and delay the need for replacement. The frequency of spring adjustments depends on how often the garage door is used. If the door is used twice or more per day, annual adjustments are recommended.

Spring lubrication

Spraying the springs with white lithium grease for lubrication every 2 - 4 weeks helps reduce friction and thus reduces tension within the spring. While this does not replace the need for a spring adjustment, it’s an easy measure to take between adjustments to ensure the springs are well maintained.

For questions, spring adjustments, or spring replacement, call us to schedule an appointment with one of our professionals.

Quality Overhead Door, Inc. is a full-service garage door installation and repair company for both residential and commercial customers in the GIlbert area 480-838-8850.