Garage doors have a tendency to wear over time, making it difficult to open and close the door. One of the most common problems with garage doors is when springs break or become loose, leaving you unable to open or close the door. If you’re experiencing this problem, there’s no need to call an expensive technician for help.
You can replace springs yourself as professional garage door company and save some money. Here, we’ll show you how to replace your garage door springs step by step so that you can get back to having a properly working garage door in no time. We will also go over safety protocols to ensure that you stay safe during this process. Let’s get started
Effective Methods of Replacing Garage Door Springs?
Here are the steps you need to take to effectively replace your garage door springs:
Measure the Length and Diameter of Your Springs:
Before attempting to replace your garage door springs, it is important to measure the length and diameter of the existing springs. This will ensure that you purchase the correct size replacement springs for your garage door. Additionally, you should measure the number of turns in each spring as this will impact how much tension is on the spring when installed.
Gather Necessary Tools and Supplies:
Once you have determined the measurements of your existing garage door springs, it is time to gather all of the necessary tools and supplies for replacing them. You will need a ladder, pliers, a socket wrench set, winding bars, an adjustable wrench, and a torsion spring conversion kit if necessary. Additionally, you should have safety glasses and gloves on hand for protection while working on your garage door.
Disconnect Power Source:
Before beginning any work on your garage door or its components, it is important to disconnect the power source from the opener unit. This can be done by unplugging the opener unit or flipping off a circuit breaker in your home’s electrical panel if wired directly into an outlet.
Remove Existing Springs:
Once all necessary safety precautions have been taken, it is time to remove the existing springs from your garage door assembly. This can be done by using a socket wrench to loosen and remove any nuts or bolts securing them in place before gently lifting them out of their mounting brackets and setting aside for disposal or recycling later on.
Install New Springs:
Now that you have removed your old springs from their mounting brackets, it is time to install new ones in their place! Begin by carefully positioning one end of each new spring into its respective bracket before securing with bolts or nuts with a socket wrench set if needed. Then use winding bars to apply tension to each spring until they are both securely mounted in place at their desired tension level according to manufacturer instructions.
Test Garage Door Balance:
Once both new springs are securely mounted into place, it is time to test out your newly replaced garage door assembly! Begin by manually opening and closing your garage door several times while observing how smoothly it moves along its tracks without sticking or jerking at any point during operation – this indicates that your new springs are properly balanced with one another as intended!
Reconnect Power Source:
After testing out your newly replaced garage door assembly several times without issue, it is time to reconnect power back into its opener unit so that you may begin using it again as normal! This can be done by either plugging back into an outlet or flipping back on any circuit breakers in your home’s electrical panel as needed beforehand, just make sure that everything else has been properly secured first!
Maintain Garage Door Regularly:
Once everything has been reconnected and tested out successfully – don’t forget about regular maintenance! It’s important to keep up with regular inspections of both hardware and moving parts within your assembly so that potential issues may be identified early on before they become more serious down the line – this includes inspecting tension levels within each torsion spring periodically too!
Why You Need To Replace Garage Door Springs?
There are a few common reasons why you may need to replace garage door springs. These include:
Normal Wear and Tear:
Over time, the tension of springs may be weakened from regular use. This can cause them to become loose and unable to provide adequate support for your garage door when opening or closing.
High Winds:
Strong winds can put extra strain on garage doors and their components – in some cases, this can cause springs to snap or break entirely. If you live in an area that is prone to high winds, it is important to inspect your garage door regularly for any signs of wear and tear.
Faulty Installation:
If springs are incorrectly installed, they may become loose over time and unable to provide adequate support for the door when operating as intended. This could potentially result in the door coming off its track, leading to further damage and potential injury.
Age:
Garage door springs can also wear out due to age over time, if your springs are more than 10 years old, they may be ready for replacement. It is best to consult with a professional technician prior to attempting any repairs or replacements yourself in this case!
How To Keep Your Garage Door Springs in Optimal Condition?
Keeping your garage door springs in optimal condition is important to ensure that it can properly function for a long time. Here are a few tips to help you maintain the tension of your garage door springs:
Inspect Springs Regularly:
Regularly inspect both ends of each spring for any signs of wear and tear such as fraying or corrosion. If any damage is detected, it is important to have the springs replaced by a professional immediately.
Lubricate Regularly:
Using a lubricant specifically designed for garage door components can help keep your springs from becoming too tight or too loose over time. Be sure to follow manufacturer directions when applying any lubricants in order to avoid potential damage to your hardware!
Adjust Tension:
If necessary, you may need to adjust the tension of your springs from time to time. This can be done by using winding bars and a socket wrench set – however this should only be attempted if you are familiar with the process or have consulted with a professional beforehand!
Invest in Quality Components:
Using quality components when replacing any garage door parts can help ensure that they last longer and provide better performance. Investing in high-quality springs can help prevent them from becoming too loose or too tight over time, saving you money on repair costs down the line!
Consider Professional Maintenance:
Consulting a professional technician prior to attempting any repairs or replacements yourself is always a good idea. They can help make sure that everything is installed correctly and provide advice on how to maintain your garage door springs for optimal performance in the future.
Clean Regularly:
Be sure to keep both tracks and hardware free from dirt, dust and debris as this can cause friction when operating your garage door. Cleaning off any build-up can help prevent your springs from becoming too tight over time, thus prolonging their life and performance!
Signs That You Need To Replace Your Garage Door Springs
There are certain signs that you need to replace your garage door springs. Common signs include:
Uneven Movement:
If your garage door moves unevenly or jerks while opening and closing, it can be a sign that one of the springs is too tight or too loose. This could cause the door to become stuck in its tracks and need to be manually lifted off again before it can continue operating as normal.
Loud Noises:
If you hear loud scraping or creaking noises coming from the garage door when operating it, then this can indicate that the springs are no longer providing adequate support for the door. Over time, this could cause additional damage to both hardware and moving parts – resulting in more expensive repairs down the line!
Difficulty Opening or Closing:
If your garage door is not able to open or close completely, then this could be a sign that something is wrong with your springs. This can usually be identified by checking the tension of each spring and making any necessary adjustments accordingly, but it’s best to consult with a professional technician for further advice if needed!
Conclusion:
Replacing garage door springs can be a difficult and dangerous task, so it is important to make sure that it is done correctly in order to ensure optimal performance throughout the life of your door.
Regularly inspecting and maintaining tension levels can prolong the life of your springs, along with other assembly components. Investing in quality parts and seeking professional maintenance can minimize potential damage or injury.