Garage door springs are one of the most important parts of your setup. Your springs are responsible for helping to raise and lower your door. 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. Below, the Overhead Door Company of Charleston has included a few quick tips on how to maintain them properly.
Clean Them
It’s the easiest thing you can do for your garage door springs and also the most overlooked. Dirt impedes proper performance which leads to them — as well as the rest of your system — having to work harder to raise and lower your door. Start by using a stiff wire brush, similar to what you would use on the grill, to break up years-old dirt in all of the nooks and crannies. Used canned air to blow out anything hiding in the exceptionally tight crevices, wipe down with a fresh rag, and you’re all set. Repeat this process every three months for the best results.
Shaking Off the Rust
Rust is the enemy of almost every part of your garage door. Not only does the metal lose its structural integrity making it more difficult for it to perform its job, but rusted springs also pose the threat of snapping which could set you up for a major repair cost or, worse, a major injury.
To slow the oxidation process that causes rust, you need to properly lubricate your springs. After the aforementioned cleaning process, use a silicone spray or white lithium grease (avoid WD-40) to lubricate each spring. You are looking for a thin, even coating as overlubricating can lead to the buildup of the grime we removed in step one.
Balance is Key
You should check the balance of your door quarterly to ensure unnecessary pressure is not being placed on a particular side of your setup. To do so:
- Pull the emergency release cord — it has a red handle — to place the door in manual mode.
- Lift the door up halfway and let go of it. Springs in good working order should keep it completely still; if the door sags and falls a bit, the springs are starting to show signs of wear and may need to be adjusted or replaced.
Let Us Help!
Not sure if your garage door springs are in good shape? That’s what we’re here for! The Overhead Door Company of Charleston will perform a 14-point inspection to ensure your springs — and everything else — are working properly.