How to Extend Your Garage Door Spring Lifespan

Many homeowners need help deciding when to replace their garage parts. When you buy a house, the roof, plumbing, appliances, and other parts of the house get a lot of attention. But, too often, people overlook the garage door’s life expectancy and what it means for future costs of home ownership.

That’s a big mistake!

Garage door repairs and replacements can be costly, so knowing when you’ll likely have to replace your door on your new house or make significant renovations should play into whether you buy and how much you pay. In addition, knowing how much life you’ve got left on your garage door will help you plan for future expenses and avoid any safety concerns while the door is on its last legs.

One of the most common problems homeowners face is garage door spring repairs. Garage door springs are built to last, but these are a critical part of any working garage door. Eventually, the door’s weight leads to loose coils or snapped springs.

Getting more life out of your springs is possible with some basic maintenance you can do at home and with the help of an experienced garage door company.

Step 1 – Learn What Causes Garage Door Spring Problems

One of the best things you can do is learn what to look for in your garage door springs. An informed homeowner is someone who will likely save more money and avoid potential safety concerns. Thankfully, garage doors aren’t extremely complicated. However, they are dangerous because they’re extremely heavy, so call an expert technician before you attempt any DIY repairs.

Garage door springs are large, durable springs that balance the door’s weight as it moves up and down. They hold tension while it moves to keep the door from smashing down on cars, people, or the driveway.

Issues arise as the springs age, rust, or the weather affects them so much that they break. A broken spring can render your garage door immovable, and you’ll need help getting it back open or closed.

Some things that lead to garage door spring problems include:

• Leaving the door open for too long
• Living in a humid climate
• Leaving old springs in for too long
• Frequent use
• Other mechanical issues that put increased strain on the springs

Step 2 – Inspecting Your Garage Door

Once you know the typical garage door spring concerns, how can you use that information to make them last longer?

When you inspect your garage door, here are some of the main things to identify:

• Balance Issues – Is your door flush with the ground when it closes? Does one side seem to move faster than the other, almost dragging the other side up or down along with it? Balance issues mean part of your garage door needs attention quickly. It could be a spring issue or problems with your roller or track. Check to see that your garage door is flush on both sides.
• Check for Rust – Rust is a significant concern with garage doors. Where you live, and the local climate also impact how quickly your door will rust. Most importantly, check for rust on your springs, chains, and tracks. Clean any areas you can, and apply lubricant spray to keep things moving smoothly. Call a local garage door service for a maintenance check if you notice any large rusty areas.
• Strange Noises – Squeaky sounds or cranking noises coming from your garage door are also of note. Too many homeowners notice their garage doors start acting up but fail to take action in time. They leave their garage door squeaking for weeks or months before something finally breaks, and they call for help. If you want your garage door to last longer, pay attention to strange noises and do something about them sooner rather than later.
• Look for Loose Nuts & Bolts – This is a simple fix but a big issue for many garage doors. It’s easy to understand why screws come loose. These garage doors open and close multiple times per day. All that weight and the fast movement eventually shake things loose. Inspect your door for any loose attachments or other hardware.

Step 3 – Make Simple Upgrades

Upgrading your garage door can be affordable and effective. Key enhancements can also add years to your door’s life and keep you safe before you start running into lagging performance with old springs. So if you want to protect your springs and get more out of them, here are some key upgrades that don’t require much work, time, or money.

1. Add a weatherstrip – This is a simple upgrade that any garage door repair service can take care of for you in minutes. With a weather strip at the bottom, you stop cold and moisture from getting inside your garage all day and night. This prevents mold, rust, and other decay from developing. In addition, old weather strips often see a significant drop in performance, so replace the strip when you buy a new house and if it’s been there for years.
2. Upgrade your lubricant – Rollers need lubricant to move smoothly on the door tracks. Of course, lubricant only works for a limited time, so garage door technicians spray and add lubricant whenever needed to prevent jumps on the track or blocks that add more strain to the opening mechanism. Using a high-quality oil increases how long it lasts and, ultimately, can extend the lifespan of your garage door.
3. Clear the tracks – Tracks are notorious for causing garage door problems because they get everything from birds nesting in them to rust concerns. While this isn’t an upgrade, you should clear the tracks of any debris at least once a year to keep your garage door in top shape.
4. Use better rollers – Rollers make your door move smoothly along the tracks. Low-quality rollers deteriorate faster, so upgrading them is an easy call.

Step 4 – Washing Your Garage Door Springs Prevents Decay

When was the last time you washed your garage door and springs? A simple washing does wonders for its lifespan and performance. You don’t need anything special; often, these tools will do the trick:

• Soap
• Water
• Bucket
• Mop/Brush
• Towels
• Spray Hose

There is no need to overcomplicate this; you only need to do a basic wash every six months to keep your garage door from molding, rusting, etc. If you notice your garage door is getting dirty faster, increase the washing frequency.

Spray the garage door with water before applying soap and gently scrubbing the panels, frame, tracks, etc. Then, spray the soap off and let the door air dry. If necessary, use a towel to wipe the door dry before calling it finished.

Regular cleanings are a simple way to add years to your garage door and avoid many problems people encounter with tracks and springs.

Step 5 – Find a Reputable Garage Door Company

This is essential to keeping your garage door springs in good condition. Having a company that can get to you quickly in a pinch and gives you honest advice on garage door repairs will save you money for years.

Here’s what to look for:

• Good reviews – Now, it’s easier than ever to gauge a company or service because you have public reviews from other customers. Read some of their recent reviews. Positive reviews are good but also look for potential red flags like missing appointments, overcharging, claims of dishonestly, etc.
• Fast response times – How quickly does the company respond to your requests? Do they pick up the phone when you call? Customer service during your initial encounters is a good indicator of your overall experience. Good companies respond quickly to customer requests and keep their clients updated throughout any repair or installation process.
• Free estimates – Look for a company that offers free estimates for any repairs. Sometimes, companies will tell you that you’ll have to pay someone to look at your garage door. This is OK if you know they’re an established company, but they’ll ideally do it for free. Also, the estimate should be in the neighborhood of what you end up paying unless something goes terribly wrong. Even then, the repair technician should tell you before doing any work.
• Options – The best garage door companies give clients options. Be wary of any company telling you the only way forward is a total replacement or buying an expensive service. Instead, they should give you different options and explain the benefits of each, so you can decide what’s best for your home.

Summary

The little things will keep your garage door springs looking good and lasting longer. Unfortunately, the fatal mistake many homeowners make is letting small problems fester. Then, they become significant issues or garage door emergencies.

Instead, keep your maintenance on track and call for service whenever there’s a problem. Then, working with the right company, you can get more years out of your springs and save the dollars you’d rather spend on other things.