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Keeping Your Garage Door Working

After I moved into a new home, I realized that there were some real problems with our garage door. It didn't always open easily, and when it did, it seemed to have issues closing all the way. I knew that we had to do something, so I started looking around for a place that offered garage door service. I was able to find an incredible business that offered garage door sales and service, and they helped us to find replacement parts that could resolve the issues. This blog is all about keeping your garage door working well and avoiding repair costs in the long run.

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Keeping Your Garage Door Working

Tips For Replacing Your Garage Door Spring

by Perry Wilson

Are you in need of a new spring for your garage door, but you do not know the right kind of spring that you need? If so, it will help to follow these tips for getting the right spring. 

Know The Difference Between Spring Types

There are essentially two types of garage door springs — torsion springs and extension springs — and you'll need to identify which one you have. A torsion spring looks like a solid cylinder no matter which position the door is in. An extension spring will stretch and extend as the garage door moves. 

Know The Garage Door Spring Colors

Garage door springs are rated based on the weight of the door it is moving. This is done by placing color-coding the spring that corresponds to its weight. This color-coding standard is used for all garage door springs and is quite easy to use. However, be aware that the colors repeat themselves for lighter and heavier doors. For example, a white garage door spring can be for either a 10 lb, 110 lb, or 210 lb garage door. 

That said, it is not always the best idea to use this color code if you are replacing a spring for the first time. You'll want to weigh the garage door to be sure of its weight because you cannot always trust that the previous homeowner used the right spring for the job. 

Know The Weight Of Your Garage Door

The next thing you need to do when replacing the spring is to weigh the garage door. This is actually quite easy to do by using a bathroom scale. You will place the scale on the floor in the middle of the floor, disconnect the garage door from the opener, and then slowly bring down the garage door and place it on the scale. This will tell you how much the garage door weighs, which will direct you towards the right spring.

Know The Safety Concerns

While replacing a garage door spring can seem like a very straightforward job, know that there is some danger that comes with doing the job on your own. A torsion spring is the hardest to install because you need to wind the spring properly. There is the risk of losing control of the spring and having it spin out of control and injuring you. An extension spring is easier to replace since you don't put as much pressure on the spring to install it. 

Reach out to a garage door repair company if you don't feel confident doing this job on your own. 

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