Garage door springs are elongated metal coils that hold the entire weight of your garage door. They distribute the weight uniformly through the door and are used to open or close it whenever required. Garage door spring repair is pivotal for the upkeep of a garage door as:

• It guarantees the functionality of your garage door.
• It keeps your home safe.

It might sound irrelevant but basement waterproofing is somehow related to the upkeep of your garage door. Let’s peek into this article to discover out:

• Garage door spring types
• Signs of garage door spring damage
• Reasons for hiring garage door spring replacement professional
• How is basement waterproofing linked to garage door spring damage?

Garage Spring Types

Two kinds of garage door springs are discussed below:

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs employ a twisting force called torque to perform their function. The coil in these springs turns over on the shank to open or close the garage door.

Different size options are available for torsion springs. You can choose the right one based on the orientation in which your garage door opens. Torsion springs are superior to extension springs in the underlying ways.

• They are a safer option due to their durability.
• They ensure a smoother operation of your garage door.
• Torsion springs have a prolonged lifespan.

These springs are relatively expensive but are preferred due to their durability.

Extension Springs

Extension springs are used for the garage with low headroom where rear torsion springs cannot be used. They are installed in the upper horizontal on both sides of your garage door. The extension spring extends when the garage door is opened and creates a balance that holds the garage door in place. The more the door is opened, the more the stress on the extension springs.

Therefore, these springs are counterbalanced with the help of a safety cable. The safety cable ensures the door does not fall freely in case of spring malfunction to prevent serious harm. The benefits of extension springs are given below:

• Extension springs are a budget-friendly choice.
• They are frequently installed in residential garage doors.

However, extension springs have a shorter life span.

6 Signs You Need Garage Door Spring Repair

Signs of damage are similar in both torsion and extension springs:

Increased Squeaking:

A garage door with a broken spring squeaks when open or closed. In case you experience this, apply lubricant to your garage door. If the door still keeps making noise, it is an indicator that your garage door spring needs to be repaired.

Misalignment:

Although a garage door may become misaligned due to various factors, the most probable reason is a problem with the winding bar or the spring.

Broken Spring:

Sometimes, the torsion or extension springs can break, or a gap might appear between their coils. However, spotting a gap or break can be difficult. Therefore, we recommend you hire a garage door spring repair expert to identify and repair the damage.

Partially Opening Garage Door:

If you see your garage door slightly opening and then smacking, it’s a clear sign of spring damage. When the spring wears out, the door loses its ability to open or shut smoothly.

Bowed Garage Door:

Does your garage door go off when opened or closed? Is it tilting to one side? A crooked garage door most probably results from a damaged torsion spring. Similarly, jerking movements of the garage door are due to torsion or extension spring failure.

Sticky Garage Door:

If the garage door does not open, even upon emergency release, it means that the spring is damaged and it’s high time you need a garage door repair professional.

Reasons for Hiring Garage Door Spring Repair Experts

Broken garage door springs can lead to:

• Inconvenience
• Safety hazards

Using a DIY approach to fix the damaged torsion or extension spring can help you save money in the short run. However, it is better to call a professional garage door spring repair expert to handle the task. It will benefit you in the following ways:

Expertise:

Garage door repair experts are well aware of the electrical and mechanical elements associated with the door’s spring. They possess the necessary skills and expertise to identify and resolve hidden spring problems. They can also help you determine the right spring size and tension so they can fix the problem on the first attempt, saving time and money.

Safety:

Garage doors are heavy and demand proper installation and adequate maintenance for appropriate functioning. Only professionals know how to handle them during installation and repair.

Cost-Effectiveness:

You might be thinking that hiring a repair company will only cost a lot of money. But remember, while hiring an expert for spring restoration can cost you some extra bucks, it can save you from maintenance expenditures at least for a few years.

Warranty:

Garage door spring restoration companies warranty their work, so you do not need to worry if you encounter any problems during or soon after the repair. They will come and resolve the problem. Hiring professionals provides you with the assurance that your garage door is in capable hands, and you do not need to worry about its repair from time to time.

Convenience:

Contracting a pro for the restoration task is convenient. You use your garage door on a daily basis, and any damage to its components can cause inconvenience. DIY projects require a lot of hard work and time, whereas professionals make it efficient and easy.

How is Basement Waterproofing Linked to Garage Door Spring Damage?

You might wonder how basement waterproofing and garage door springs correlate. Here is how waterproofing your basement can help you maintain your garage door springs.

Rust:

Since springs are metallic structures, water damage can cause them to rust, weaken, and even break over time. Waterproofing the basement helps maintain its functionality.

Humidity:

Higher humidity levels in the basement can cause metallic torsion or extension springs to wear out. However, sealing your basement can help control humidity levels in your garage and save your garage door from damage.

Mold Growth:

Due to the high water table, mold and mildew can grow on garage door springs. Mold growth causes the springs to wear or break before their expected lifespan.

Conclusion

Smoothly functioning garage door springs are necessary for the efficient working of garage doors. Over time, both torsion and extension springs can damage or wear out. Some common signs of damage include misaligned, sticky, bowed, or partially opening garage doors.

However, hiring garage door spring restoration companies can help you restore the spring damage by using the knowledge and expertise they have. Lastly, get your basement waterproofed to save garage door springs from damage.