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Measure the circumference of the cable drum, and measure the height of the garage door in inches. Divide the height of the garage door by the cable drum circumference, then add one. This is the number of turns that are on your spring. For example, a 14′ high door is 168″ high.
How do I know what garage door spring I need?
So, how do you tell if a garage door spring is a left or a right spring on your garage door: check where the end of the spring is pointing and identify the wind direction. If its endpoints in a clockwise direction, then it is a left-wound spring and vice versa.
What size garage door extension springs do I need?
For extension springs, you’ll need to know the length of the spring, the weight that it’s intended to hold and the outside diameter. It is common that most residential garage doors are either seven or eight feet tall. Seven-foot doors usually use a 25-inch spring, and eight-foot doors use a 27-inch spring.
Should my garage door have 2 springs?
Doors with extension springs should always have two springs. The pair work together to provide a counterweight to the door. If one of your garage door springs breaks or is in poor condition, replace both springs. In order for the springs to provide a balanced lift, both must provide equal strength and support.
Does garage door spring length matter?
Springs That Are Too Small Can Make the Opener Less Effective. If the spring for the door is small, it can make the door too heavy. When someone tries to raise the door, it will fall back down instead of continuing to lift. A user unaware of the garage door issue could get hurt by the door falling shut.
What does the color mean on garage door springs?
The color code on a torsion spring indicates whether it is a “right wind” or “left wind” spring, with black indicating right wind and red indicating left wind. Beyond that the torsion spring is color coded so that technicians can determine the thickness, or gauge, of the wire.
How far should garage door springs stretch?
Length. Since extension springs have to stretch during the loading phase and contract to help the door raise, length plays a major role in door operation. Extension springs for a 7ft tall garage door are a standard 25 inches and stretch 42 inches. Springs for an 8ft tall door are usually 28 inches and stretch 48 inches.
How many springs do I need for a 2 car garage door?
As a rule of thumb, a single garage door takes one torsion spring. A double-wide garage door takes two springs. However, if you have an exceptionally heavy single door, you may need two torsion springs.
How do you tell a right and left spring on a garage door?
Look at the end of the spring to determine the wind direction. If the end of the spring points in the clockwise direction it is left-wound and if the end of the spring points in the counter-clockwise direction, it is right-wound.
Can a garage door operate with one spring?
Yes. You may be tempted to save money on parts and labor by replacing just one spring, but you’ll likely need to replace both when one spring breaks. Garage doors have two springs, one on either side of the door. The springs exert the force that makes the door light enough to be lifted.
Why does my garage door have 2 different size torsion springs?
At times the garage door may be designed to take advantage of two different size springs which ensure optimal balance. If the springs aren’t exerting enough tension, then the door is way to heavy to open, and it will slam shut each time.
How do I know if my garage door springs need to be adjusted?
More Noise Than Usual. A balanced garage door should be relatively quiet when traveling up or down the door tracks. If your garage door is making excessive creaking, grinding, or squeaking noises when opening or closing, your springs may be strained and most likely need to be replaced.
Should garage door springs match?
Garage door springs must properly match the door’s weight. Choosing springs that can support the weight will provide you with a properly balanced door.
Are all garage door springs the same?
That is, that garage door springs are a one-size-fits-all affair. In reality, that’s not the case. Garage door springs come in different sizes and strengths and it’s important that you have the right spring for your particular door. Otherwise, all manner of problems can and will arise.
How long should garage springs last?
How long do garage springs last, typically? The average garage door spring, if correctly installed, should last about 10,000 cycles of opening and closing. If you only go in and out of your garage once a day, that means you should expect a broken garage door spring around 14 years after the spring is first installed.
How much does an average garage door weigh?
Garage door weight is determined by size, material, steel gauge, thickness, insulation and glass. The average modern steel single car door weighs around 125 pounds while double car doors weigh about 200 pounds.
Why does my garage door have 4 Extension springs?
When a garage door is open most of the door weight is stored in the horizontal tracks. On the 100 pound door in our example above, there is one extension spring for each side of the door. Each spring pulls 100 pounds on the pulley, but the cable on the bottom of the door lifts only 50 pounds.
What does the spring do on a garage door?
Regardless of the type, your garage springs are responsible for helping the door raise and lower. 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.
What is the difference between extension springs and torsion springs?
Extension springs fully expand and contract when operating an overhead door. Torsion springs turn. Torsion springs are sturdier and last longer. Torsion springs do cost more, but generally last between 15,000 and 20,000 cycles, whereas extension springs last up to 10,000 cycles.
How long does it take to replace garage door springs?
Replacing garage door springs takes 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the type and size of the garage door and number of springs. Old garage doors with several failing parts take up to two hours to replace. A garage door spring tune-up takes 10 to 15 minutes per door.
