WHEN TO REPLACE GARAGE DOOR SPRINGS
Most garage door spring systems are designed to last 10,000 cycles, with a cycle being an open and close of your door. Ask yourself the following questions when considering spring replacement:
- Have you lived in your home for 7 years or more?
- Do you use your door daily?
- Are the springs on your door the same ones that were on your door when you moved in?
If you answered "yes" to the above questions, it's time to replace the springs on your door.
WHY DO SPRINGS BREAK OVER TIME?
Like many other metal products, garage door springs break down over time as they are put under tension, bent, twisted, or pulled. If you live in a region with cold winters, the low temperatures can make your springs increasingly brittle and susceptible to breaking.
HOW MUCH DOES SPRING REPAIR COST?
Professional spring repair cost can vary based on your home improvement market, so contact your local garage door dealer for pricing.
FIND LOCAL SPRING REPAIR SERVICES
CAN I INSTALL NEW SPRINGS ON MY OWN?
Clopay spring systems are considered among the best in the industry. Here are some things to consider when comparing the safety of garage door springing systems.
TORSION SPRINGS
Clopay strongly recommends that only a trained garage door professional install standard torsion springs. These springs need to be wound manually and can cause serious injury if the tension is released inadvertently.
EXTENSION SPRINGS
Standard extension springs can also be tricky. If you choose to install extension springs on your own, carefully follow the instructions included with your garage door. See your owner's manual for more details.
CLOPAY'S EZ-SET® SPRING SYSTEMS FOR DIY INSTALLATION
Clopay's EZ-SET® Spring Systems are designed to simplify the garage door installation process for do-it-yourselfers who have the confidence, tools and experience to tackle a project of this nature. EZ-SET Spring Systems include the EZ-SET Extension Spring System and the EZ-SET Torsion Spring System. EZ-SET is safer and uses common tools (3/8" drill) for installation versus the specialized tools required for standard spring systems. Both EZ-SET systems include an installation how-to video.
TYPES OF SPRINGING SYSTEMS
EZ-SET EXTENSION
Clopay's patented EZ-SET Extension Spring System unique system eliminates the need to manually lift the deadweight of unsprung garage doors. If you choose to install a door with extension springs, we recommend you use EZ-SET.
EZ-SET TORSION
Once a job exclusively for trained garage door professionals, Clopay's EZ-SET Torsion Spring System makes torsion spring installation faster and easier for the do-it-yourselfer. Our system eliminates the difficult and dangerous manual winding process, with the ability to set the spring tension in seconds with a 3/8" power drill.
A user-friendly 45-degree drill input angle allows the installer to stand securely on the ground instead of on a ladder. This eliminates the need to manually lift the deadweight of an unsprung door. And with this system there is no need to locate and prepare the center mounting pad!
EZ-SET comes standard on select Clopay garage doors or it can be special ordered through a distributor.
Standard Extension Springs
These are coiled springs installed above the door's horizontal track. Experienced do-it-yourselfer's can install these springs by closely following the installation instructions and safety warnings included with each Clopay garage door.
STANDARD TORSION SPRINGS
These include a shaft, spring and drum assembly installed directly above the door opening. The torsion spring distributes the garage door's weight evenly, which is critical with a wide and/or extremely heavy door. Standard torsion springs should only be installed and removed by a trained garage door professional.
OTHER SPRING SYSTEM COMPONENTS
SAFETY CONTAINMENT CABLES
Clopay extension springs come with a safety containment cable system that spans the entire length of the spring and prevents loose ends from causing damage or injury. If your garage doors have extension springs, be sure they utilize a safety containment cable.
Torsion springs are mounted on a shaft that acts as a containment system for that specific type of spring system.
Many injuries occur when unqualified do-it-yourselfers attempt to remove or adjust the bottom bracket that connects the lifting cables to the spring system. This bracket is under extreme pressure. If it becomes loose, it can separate from the garage door's overall structure and cause injuries or property damage. Clopay's patented Safe-T-Bracket™ cannot be removed under normal circumstances until after the spring tension has been released.