BKC Solutions Corner

One of the most critical and dangerous components on any home garage door opener are the high tension springs which need to be routinely inspected and lubricated as per the makers instructions. Unfortunately, the majority of householders are oblivious to the fact that garage door tension springs and other component parts of the door need occasional run-of-the-mill maintenance and safety checks.

The most important and vital part on any overhead garage door opener are the torsion springs which allow the door to open and close easily and smoothly. However, springs that are either damaged or incorrectly fitted can present a safety hazard. As with all mechanical and electrical equipment in the home, garage doors need scheduled service to ensure that they carry on working the way they were designed to.

If you are experiencing any trouble opening or shutting your garage door, you should always pay close attention to the torsion springs which are the most obvious culprits. Depending on the age of the springs, they are likely to have worn out to a certain extent. Garage door torsion springs are retained under extremely high tension and are wound tightly. It is because of this extreme high tension that even the best quality steel springs will wear over time and eventually snap. It is because of this risk of sudden breakage that all garage door opener torsion springs have to be contained in order to avert serious injury or property damage. That containment is either in the form of cables or in the case of roller shutter doors, an external steel tube.

Even if the springs are contained, or if the door has been fitted for a few years, you should have them inspected by a professional garage door installer.The springs should be replaced if needed. If you have the type of garage door that has two independant springs, and only one is not operating correctly, it makes sense to replace both at the same time. You can bet your bottom dollar that if one spring has broken, the other will suffer the same fate

You might have a garage door that causes the springs to squeak loudly or make a chattering noise when the door is lifted or lowered. Simply because it makes these noises does not indicate that either the door or the springs need replacements. Instead, the problem can be in all likelihood be fixed with just some simple lubrication of the various moving components.

Another sign that your garage door is in need of maintenance is if there are chafed and worn strips of cable hanging loose. Irrespective of the quality of your garage door opener, this is a indication that the cables are about to give way. A sudden breakage of the garage door cables could result in serious injury to anybody standing close by. These frayed cables need to be inspected and probably replaced by a professional garage door contractor who is familiar with the problems associated with torsion springs and cables breaking.

Due to the weight they must lift, garage door torsion springs are kept under extreme tension making them dangerous to adjust. It is a sound advice to schedule a yearly maintenance inspection of your garage door by a certified service engineer. This will avert the risk of possible injury and also give you peace of mind that the door will work properly each and every time.