4 Types and Sizes of Garage Door Springs and How to Replace Them

Garage doors are the unsung heroes in a home. Unlike the other doors, they receive perhaps the least attention largely because they are way out there. Many people barely notice them. A good number of them, therefore, do not know how best to take care of them. In fact, the only time most people take note of them is whenever they get jammed, stuck or when their life runs out. Most people do not understand the significant differences these doors have to the conventional house door and, therefore, have no clue on how to service them. In many households, garage doors are the biggest doors in their home and one whose operation is the most intricate. Its stark differences with other doors make its replacement or repair of garage door is little more difficult, sometimes even dangerous.

These doors can either be automatic or manually controlled, with the manual one being easiest to install. It features a handle that is easily pulled to open or shut them. The desire for a heavier and tougher garage door therefore sharply limits the door control method to automatic. Sensibly so, as it would be an uphill task struggling to pull up and down several pounds of garage door’ whenever one wants to get in or out. The automatic garage door, therefore, employs the services of powerful springs that carry the door’s weight whenever the spring is under use. These springs come in several types and sizes, some of which will be discussed here:.

The standard torsion spring

The most common type of door spring is the standard torsion springs. These are extensively used especially in residential houses. This system features one or two springs depending on the door weight and is supported by an axis. Two springs are generally safer as one spring may prevent the door from falling and injuring a person in the event that the other spring breaks.

The Wayne-Dalton (torque master )spring

The Wayne-Dalton or torsion master spring is also a common garage door spring. In this type, one or two springs are nested within a shaft with one end extending to form an edge. These springs are tightly fastened to a stationary cone within the shaft effectively preventing them from haphazard movements. It what is arguably the most unique garage door spring system, these springs is wound with a special wrench using a complex ratchet system. The torsion master was largely built for security.

The steel roller door torsion springs.

Unlike most garage doors that are made of whole sections, this door features interlocking slats. This gives the door a larger range of mobility. Its unique design also incorporates a barrel around which it wraps when open. A robust torsion spring counterbalances the weight of the door making it easier to operate. Inside the barrel is a shaft and supporting brackets that are fastened by screws and pins.

Standard commercial torsion springs.

Many commercial and industrial complexes utilize these springs in their garage doors. They occur in four different orientations namely liner, triplex, and duplex or mixed, depending on the number of springs used.

To safely replace these springs one first makes sure that the power is switched off by unplugging the power cord to the opener.

One should then disconnect the opener itself from the door.

He or she should then proceed to weigh the garage door using extension springs. One should ensure they shake the door’s rollers to get an accurate reading.
After this one should the safety cable and the broken extension spring and the angle iron if it is bent or broken.
Finally, he or she should replace the spring and fasten the eye bolt ensuring it is tight and can fully support the weight of the system again.

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