Even though you use a garage door every day, you might not spend much time thinking about how it works. Although the process seems simple, there are a variety of moving parts involved, and they each require maintenance. The door's springs are often visible on the inside of the garage, so you might be curious about what they do. The following guide outlines some key details about this important component.

What Do Garage Door Springs Do?

One of the biggest misconceptions about garage doors is how they move up and down. Even though it looks like the opener is responsible for these movements, the springs do the work by releasing torque. The springs compress and store energy as the door goes down and release that energy as it goes up, allowing the rest of the system to pull the door.

How Do I Know Which Type of Torsion Spring I Need?

Look at the area above the door opening to find the springs. They'll be on a bar that runs perpendicular to the track. Once you identify them, examine their characteristics so you know what to look for in a replacement:

• Spinning Direction: As the door opens, observe which way the coils are rotating. A clockwise rotation means the spring spins to the right, and a counter-clockwise rotation means it spins to the left.
• Wire Size: Count 10 or 20 coils, then measure the distance with a tape measure to the nearest 1/4 inch. This will help you determine the wire size, especially if the spring is rusted or corroded.
• Inner Diameter: Measure the diameter inside the spring and round to the nearest 1/16 inch.
• Spring Length: When the spring is relaxed, measure its entire length to the nearest 1/4 inch . A replacement spring that is too short won't lift the door properly. If the spring is broken, measure each piece individually and add the lengths.

Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?

The springs need to withstand the most strain of any garage door component. Over time, the immense pressure and torque will degrade and crack the metal, which puts the risk of the door falling to the ground at full speed. Since the springs carry so much tension, they need professional service to ensure the repairs or replacements are done safely.

When your garage door starts acting up, the experts at Doorworks in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, have the experience to get it back on track. They offer a wide range of garage doors and replacement opener components at affordable prices. Call (715) 424-5777 for an estimate, and visit their website to learn more about their services.