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Quick Answer: How To Replace A Garage Door Torsion Spring

Can I replace garage door spring myself?

So faced with a broken garage door spring, the question is, can you fix it yourself? You absolutely can replace a garage door spring, but the type of springs you have may influence your decision. If you’re uncomfortable with any part of the process, simply leave the job to a garage door professional.

How much does it cost to replace a torsion spring on garage door?

Replacement torsion springs cost $30 to $100 each, and replacing them will cost $75 to $150 per spring, including labor and materials. Top-rated garage door repair experts are here to help.

How long does it take to replace a garage door torsion spring?

Replacing garage door springs takes 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type and size of the garage door and number of springs. Old garage doors with several failing parts take up to two hours to replace. A garage door spring tune-up takes 10 to 15 minutes per door.

Is it hard to replace a garage door spring?

How to Replace Extension Springs. Extension springs are generally considered much easier to replace. You can completely remove and replace the springs on your door without dealing with any amount of dangerous tension. Once you open the door, the springs will lose most of their tension and should be safe to work with.

Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?

As professionals in the industry, we advise you do not attempt to open your garage door if the spring is broken. Extension springs on either side of the door, along the rails, help counterbalance the weight of the door as it is raised or lowered. Torsion springs across the top of the door help do the heavy lifting.

What happens when garage door torsion spring breaks?

If the spring on one side of the garage door is broken, this might cause the door to become crooked as it moves up and down on its track. When the spring breaks, the entire system is thrown out of sync. The pulleys and cables might become loose and be left hanging down from the ceiling.

Which is better torsion or extension springs?

Torsion springs tend to be stronger and more durable than extension springs. And though they are more expensive, they last longer, between 15,000 and 20,000 cycles as opposed to 10,000 cycles with extension springs. They also offer greater balance and show more control when moving, not jerking as the door moves.

Do I need to replace both torsion springs?

When replacing tension springs, it is recommended that both springs be replaced and matched because the older, unbroken spring will have lost some of its tension from years of use. Torsion springs have so much stored energy that they can cause serious injury or even death if mishandled.

How many turns on a 9ft garage door spring?

A rule of thumb with springs is that four quarter turns equals a full revolution and the spring needs to be tightened a full revolution for every foot of door height (e.g. 7-1/2 foot door = 7 revolutions +2 (30 quarter turns).

How do I know what size torsion spring I need for my garage door?

Basically, you run a tape measure along the length of a spring, and take down the number of inches. Therefore, if your tape measure indicates that a torsion spring is 36 inches from one end to the other, that’s a 36-inch — or three foot — torsion spring.

What is the average life of a garage door spring?

The average garage door spring, if correctly installed, should last about 10,000 cycles of opening and closing. If you only go in and out of your garage once a day, that means you should expect a broken garage door spring around 14 years after the spring is first installed.

Why do springs break on garage doors?

The springs on your garage door system are responsible for the heavy lifting. When the garage door is lowered, the springs gain tension. When raising the garage door, tension is released and the spring assists with the lifting. As a result, most garage door springs break when the door is down.

How long does a torsion spring last?

Most torsion springs last for 10,000 cycles. Depending on how frequently the door is activated, that could translate to nearly a decade or just a few years.

What is the color code on garage door springs?

Garage Door Extension Spring DASMA Color Code Chart Color Pounds Kilograms Brown 60/160/260 xxx Orange 70/170/270 30/75/120 Gold 80/180/280 35/80/125 Light Blue 90/190/290 40/85/130.

How much are springs for a garage door?

Replacing garage door springs costs $150 to $350 on average. The springs alone typically run $30 to $75 each but you may find them as low as $15 a piece and up to $100 each. Commercial grade springs can run $300 or more.

How do you close a garage door with a broken spring?

Lift the door until it is completely raised along the horizontal rails. If the door is too heavy, discontinue your attempt to lift the door and call a repair service immediately. Some companies, like ours, are able to provide same-day repair services. To close the door, carefully pull the door down slowly.

Can a torsion spring be repaired?

Repairing a broken torsion spring is not usually a do-it-yourself (DIY) job, unless you are a seasoned mechanic and have help. It is very dangerous and requires expert skill and specialized tools. To avoid serious injury, leave it to the pros.

What does it sound like when a garage door spring breaks?

Loud Breaking Noise One of the most alarming noises you can hear is the unmistakable sound of a torsion or extension garage door spring breaking in your garage. It can be best described as sounding like a shotgun going off. The best way to determine that your garage door spring has broken is hearing the loud noise.

How do I know if my torsion spring is broken?

If your garage door’s torsion spring is broken you will likely notice the following: Usually the automatic garage door opener will not open the door. When you disconnect the opener and raise the door manually, the door won’t stay in the up position. You will see the split in the spring when viewing it.