There are a number of parts in your automatic garage door system that keep your door opening and closing with ease. As time goes on, parts become worn out and need to be replaced. Torsion springs are tightly wound metal coils that eventually need to be replaced, as they work hard to open and close your garage door. If one breaks when your door is open, this can make your door slam to the ground unexpectedly. When you notice signs your torsion springs need replacement or adjusting, it's important to call for help from your garage door technician.

Understanding Your Garage Door Torsion Springs

The torsion springs on your garage door are tightly wound coils when your garage door is in the closed position. As your door starts to open, the spring unwinds and this helps with the heavy weight of the door as it opens. If it starts to get loose, your door may open slowly or won't stay all the way open. 

The Lifespan of Torsion Springs

How long your torsion springs last typically depends on how many times you open your garage door a day. In general, you can expect your torsion springs to last about 10,000 openings and closings before they need to be replaced. If you have a particularly damp climate or freezing cold temperatures, this can lead to a shortened life for your torsion springs.

When to Call for Torsion Spring Replacement

As your torsion springs get older, they are going to get weaker. You will notice that the door seems too heavy for your opener, and this is because the torsion springs are no longer doing their job. If you don't replace the torsion spring early enough, it can slam down unexpectedly if the torsion spring breaks. It is dangerous to allow your garage door to keep going when you know the torsion spring needs to be replaced.

Replacing Your Torsion Spring

Even when you have mechanical skills, you should not replace a torsion spring on your own. It is dangerous to change a torsion spring when you don't have the tools and skill you need to do so. Allow a professional garage door repair technician to change your torsion spring so that you don't get hurt. Torsion springs can snap while you are adjusting them, and can cause you serious harm. Call for help when your door won't stay all the way open to keep your door in good shape.

For more information about torsion spring replacement, contact a garage door service.