The garage door is something you use multiple times per day. You probably never think about your garage-door springs until you have to have them repaired. But really, how long do garage-door springs last? Have you ever wondered if there are ways to make the springs last even longer?
Life Expectancy of a Typical Garage-Door Spring
There are roughly two types of consumer-oriented garage-door springs, extension and torsion. Extension springs extend just above the wheel track for the garage door and expand or contract as the door is lowered or raised. Torsion springs use torque to raise and lower the garage door, either twisting or releasing depending upon the door operation.
Both types of springs have a life expectancy that is measured in cycles more than years. Cycles refers to how many times a garage door is opened and closed—so one cycle is opening and closing the garage door one time. Extension springs are typically rated at between 5,000 and 10,000 cycles while torsion springs are rated between 15,000 and 20,000 cycles.
So, the answer about the life expectancy of a typical garage-door spring is that it depends upon the type of spring and how often you use it. Just as an example, if a spring lasts 10,000 cycles, then if you use it twice a day, it will last 14 years. Double that to four times a day, and the spring will last only 7 years.
Maximizing the Life of Your Garage-Door Springs
If you properly maintain your garage door, it can help to extend the life of the components of your garage-door system, including the springs. Ways to minimize the stress on your springs include the following ideas.
Lubricate the moving parts – Use a silicone or lithium lubricant on the wheels, chains, and hinges (if your door has hinges and does not just go up as one unit). Lubrication reduces the stress on the springs since everything moves with less resistance.
Clean the tracks – Dirt and debris in the roller tracks can put extra stress on the garage-door system, including the springs.
Align the roller tracks – If your wheels are having trouble moving through the tracks, and you have cleaned the tracks already, the tracks may be out of alignment. Alignment issues can happen if the tracks have been hit or damaged; tracks can also move if there is foundation movement.
Finally, if you do have to replace the springs, consider going with extended life garage-door springs. These springs may be more expensive up front, but they can sometimes double or even triple the amount of cycle life of the springs for only a modest increase in price.
Consult a company like AAA Garage Door, Inc. for more information.
