Garage Spring Damage: Avoiding Mistakes During Repair

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the top general causes of broken or damaged garage door springs. Springs are a vital component to any garage door, allowing it to open and close properly, but several improper uses or maintenance themes may lead to them working improperly — or not working at all in some cases. 

At Crawford Door Sales, we’re happy to offer wide-ranging garage door repair and maintenance services, including for situations where your springs are in disrepair. While part one of our series went over some of the top causes of spring issues, today’s part two will dig into the common mistakes we see homeowners make in these situations, how you can avoid these, and how our garage door professionals will assist you to remedy this situation quickly and affordably.

Mistake #1: Ignoring Spring Damage Issues

One unfortunate fact about garage door spring damage: It’s only going to get worse the longer you leave it. As springs get older and age, they are exposed to more wear and tear. This will only lead to them becoming less effective at their job of lifting the door open or closed over time.

For this reason, it’s vital to pay attention to the signs your door is giving you that springs are having problems. If you hear a thumping sound as the door finishes closing, for instance, this often signals that springs need adjustment. A squeaking sound, on the other hand, may mean that your springs require lubrication.

Ignoring these signs could cost you significant money. You run the risk of your door becoming damaged to the point it can no longer be used or opens improperly, at which point your only option will be a much costlier replacement of the entire door.

Mistake #2: Replacing Only One Spring

If you’re noticing trouble in the performance of your springs, one common misconception is that all you need to do is replace a single spring. As we’ve already outlined, this issue could point to underlying problems with other springs or problems with how these are functioning together as a whole. If you’re having one spring replaced within your door, you should also have all the other ones inspected and potentially replaced as well.

Mistake #3: Assuming You Can Fix the Problem Yourself

This is a scenario you may hear about from some of your neighbors or friends, but it’s one we firmly caution against when it comes to garage door spring issues. While a broken garage door spring is always something you can investigate on your own, there are several reasons you shouldn’t undertake a repair project yourself.

Springs can pack quite a punch when released, and even if you don’t swing the spring or release it deliberately, you may risk being struck by these parts. You also risk improper installation of a new spring, which may create even further issues than you had before. Because springs move in such unpredictable ways, they require an experienced professional who knows how to handle them with care — not just a handy homeowner with a screwdriver.

For more on how to handle a broken or damaged garage door spring, or to learn about any of our garage door repair or installation services, speak to the staff at Crawford Door Sales today.