Working of The Garage Door Torsion Spring

It is a common belief that the garage door torsion spring does not play a lead role in the working of the garage door where as in reality it is contrary to the belief. It is a very important part of the garage door which often goes unnoticed.

The garage door torsion spring is placed parallel to the closed garage door, at some height over it. On each end of the cables, pulleys are attached. When the motor is triggered on, the door torsion spring uncoils itself and releases energy which is used to lift the door. The pulleys then rotate and pull up the cables, which thereby lift the door from each side.

Garage Door Torsion Spring

Reasons why garage door torsion springs are important

Garage door torsion springs do not get the acknowledgement that should be given to them. People often have the notion that garage door always works on the motor which is not entirely true. The springs also play a very important role in the working of the door. Here is a list of reasons why these are important –

• Protecting us from the garage door itself: The major reason as to why people should have a properly functioning garage door torsion spring is to save our own life. An average garage door weighs up to 400 lbs. and if it falls on anyone the sight is something which we would not want to witness. Hence, having torsion springs in our garage door, save us from harmful injuries.

• Protecting us from the weather: Another benefit of having a garage door with torsion springs is that it protects us from adverse weather conditions when we have to get our car in the garage. Garage door torsion springs allow us to stay nice and comfy even in bad weather conditions.

• Helping us in opening the garage door even when the motor fails: Even when our motors fail, in the garage door we can lift that heavy chunk of metal with complete ease. This is easy as the torsion springs are still working so the energy released helps us in lifting the door. Hence, this proves that the door torsion springs play a lead role in the working of the automatic garage door.

• Enhances the value of your home: When we are about to change our homes and want to sell our existing home, the garage door with torsion springs can prove a great asset. As a garage door with torsion springs is very important for the safety of our families it helps in adding value to our house. Proper maintenance of the spring is not only cheap but also of great importance to our safety.

Garage Door Torsion Spring

Why the garage door torsion spring breaks

The garage door torsion springs are said to have a life of 7 – 10 years, which is equivalent to 10,000 open and close cycles. Despite having such long life sometimes, the spring does break or snap. Here is a list of reasons why garage door torsion spring breaks or snaps.

• Repeated wear and tear of the torsion spring could cause it to break.

• Inapt installation of the torsion spring is a major threat to all of us.
• Inadequate maintenance is one of the main reasons for the garage door torsion spring to snap or break.

• Rusting or corrosion of the torsion spring.

• Prolonged vulnerability to cold temperature also breaks the torsion spring.

• Accidental damage on impact to the door could also cause the spring snap. 

Hence, the key to a properly functioning garage door torsion spring is that it should be maintained regularly from a professional.