How Do Garage Door Springs Work?

A garage door spring is one of the most essential pieces of your garage door. Without them, your door wouldn’t be able to raise or lower, and you wouldn’t be able to move your car in and out. There are various different types of springs, but they perform the same primary function that lets you utilize your door daily. 

Keeping your springs clean, maintained and lubricated will help them function correctly for smoother door operation. If you experience trouble with your springs, understanding the spring type and recognizing when they have met the end of their life span can help you get them back to proper function.

What Are Garage Door Springs?

Garage door springs are a vital part of your door system. These pieces counterbalance your door and hold it up, letting you open and close your door with ease. Without springs, your garage door would be useless. Instead of an entrance or exit for your car, you would have an unmoving piece of equipment that can weigh hundreds of pounds. 

A damaged or broken garage spring can also make it challenging to operate your door. Without the proper tension to lift the weight, the other parts of your system must take on much more strain, resulting in further damage. 

Types of Garage Door Springs

There are two primary types of garage door springs, and the type you have determines where you can find them on the door. They both perform the same function and are essential for smooth door operation. Some specific spring variations differ between residential and commercial doors.

Extension Springs

Extension springs are typically above the horizontal tracks or along the sides of the door. These springs contract and stretch to lift and lower the door. If you have an older door, you likely have these springs. Homeowners typically have one extension spring on either side of the door, but some commercial doors may have more than two to counterbalance additional weight. 

These springs can be open-looped, double looped or have clipped ends, with open-looped springs being the easiest to replace and clipped ends springs offering the most extended lifetime of the three. 

Types of extension springs include:

• Sectional: These springs are common in the United States. They stretch above and parallel to your horizontal tracks. The tracks transfer the weight to the cables when you open your door. 
• One-piece: One-piece doors operate as one unit. Extension springs pull against a connection point to raise the door, and the bottom of the door rises outside of the garage. 

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are typically above the door in a metal shaft. Some doors may house the spring in the shaft, while others have a shaft that passes through the springs. These springs operate by holding and releasing the door’s tension with drums. When you open or close your door, torsion springs unwind and wind accordingly. 

Types of torsion springs include:

• Roll-up: These typically are for small warehouse doors. These doors use curtains to wrap around the drum when the door is lifted. The springs secure the outer-most drum to balance the door. 
• Steel rolling: Torsion springs are inside the barrel of steel rolling doors, where a shaft supports them. You can adjust the tension in these springs to keep them secure using a winding bar.

Industrial and commercial garages typically have multiple torsion springs to account for additional weight. Standard commercial doors have torsion springs in a mixed, triplex, duplex or singular lineup: 

• A singular wider door typically uses a linear system.
• A duplex system has a smaller spring inside the torsion springs.
• Triplex systems have two springs inside the torsion spring.
• Mixed systems are a combination of singular, duplex and triplex formations. 

Garage Door Spring Color Coding System

Garage door guides typically come with a color-coding system to help you understand size measurements. Extension and torsion springs have different colors and meanings, so knowing your type will help you understand the color system. 

Torsion springs use black and red to identify the wind directions and wire size. Red indicates the left wind and black indicates the right. Professionals can usually observe the gauge shape to determine the spring’s condition. Torsion springs also use a color code system to identify the size of the wire. You can find these measurements in inches or millimeters. 

Extension springs have a more in-depth color system to determine lifting power. Your door’s weight affects the springs, and you need to ensure they provide enough power to operate smoothly. The lifting capacity of extension springs in pounds is as follows: 

• Light blue: 190-290
• Gold: 180-280 
• Orange: 170-270 
• Brown: 160-260
• Red: 150-250
• Blue: 140-240
• Yellow: 130-230
• Green: 120-220
• White: 110-210
• Tan: 100-200

How Do Garage Door Springs Work?

Extension springs work with the door’s pulley system to lift. When a door opens, the cables running through the pulleys exert tension. The springs then contract to release tension and lift your door. When you close your door, the springs become fully tensed, ready to release tension when you open it again. The springs can stretch to about half your door’s height to ensure you can lift and lower it without the system exerting too much effort. 

Garage door torsion springs work differently than extension springs. These springs are much thicker than their counterparts, and they work independently. Each torsion spring is measured explicitly for the thickness and size of each door to ensure consistent lowering and lifting. The torsion spring stores energy to operate the door and works with the cables to twist as the door opens. The spring unwinds and releases energy while opening and tightens when the door closes. 

Garage Door Springs Lifetime

Even with the best care, your garage springs won’t last forever. Over the years, they’ll experience wear and tear that will affect how well they perform. You can get many years out of your springs if you keep them well maintained. Without proper lubrication, your springs may break sooner. 

You can usually determine how long your springs will last based on the number of cycles they’ve performed. On average, springs perform around 10,000 cycles, which could last over ten years if you only use your garage once or twice a day. If you operate your door multiple times a day, they may not last as long. 

Ways to maintain your garage door springs include:

• Cleaning debris: Dirt, grime and debris can quickly build up in your garage. This can make it much harder for springs to twist and turn, impeding their function. 
• Lubricating moving pieces: Lubricating springs and other moving parts will help avoid rust and stiffness and prolong their life by keeping them moving correctly. Expect to lubricate your springs about twice a year. 
• Replacing parts: Quickly replace parts any time you notice damage. If your springs have to exert or store more energy than they are meant to, they may snap. 
• Scheduling maintenance: Calling professionals to investigate issues and make necessary repairs ensures your system works properly. 
• Repairing leaks: If your garage is experiencing any leaks, humidity in the air increases, which can create rust on moving parts. Always investigate your garage after heavy rainfall and storms. 
• Avoiding unnecessary use: Large families likely have more than one car in the garage. If your family uses the garage as your primary home entrance, you probably use it more than you need. Limiting use or keeping the door open if multiple people need to leave will help prolong the door spring’s life. 

Signs Your Garage Door Springs Need Attention

If your springs are approaching the end of their lifetime, or you’ve noticed odd behaviors from your door, your springs might need some attention. There is no tell-tale sign that indicates you need to repair or replace your springs, but there are common indications. 

Some common signs your door needs attention are:

• Loud snapping sounds.
• Slow opening times.
• Sudden or jerky door operation.
• An unbalanced door.
• Snapped cables.
• Gaps in the springs.
• Loud banging noises.
• Your door stops mid-operation.
• The door snaps shut when you close it.
• You can’t open your door at all.

Many of these problems you experience could also be signs your door has another underlying issue. Garage doors have many moving parts, all of which ensure smooth operation. Strange noises and jerky movement can result from worn rollers and hinges. Your tracks may also be bent, or some screws may be missing, making your door appear off balance. A professional will be able to identify the problem quickly.

What to Do When Your Garage Door Springs Go Bad

You may need to rebalance your springs within the first few years of having them. When your doors are opening, check to see if there is movement. Slight movement is normal, but if one of your bottom rollers moves past the tracks and stays there, you must re-tension your springs. For s second test, open the door halfway so it is suspended in mid-air. You have a spring problem if the door slams shut or snaps open. 

It’s always a good idea to replace both springs when one breaks. After one goes, the other is likely to follow soon after. Since the springs have performed the same number of cycles, you won’t be able to get much more use out of the remaining spring, and you will have to call for another service to replace it. Additionally, replacing only one spring can cause the door to go off balance. 

If you need repairs or replacements for your springs, it is always best to contact a professional to reduce the chance of injuring yourself or others. Broken springs can be very dangerous and puncture nearby people or objects in the nearby area. You should never operate your door if your springs have snapped or broken. 

Why You Should Call a Professional For Repairs

When you have trouble with your springs, it is always better to call a professional rather than try to install, repair or replace them yourself. Your door may weigh hundreds of pounds, and if your springs can no longer support it, it can snap shut and crush anything underneath it. 

Additionally, broken springs can become projectiles. With so much stored energy and tension, when these pieces snap, their energy causes them to fly through the air without direction. Objects inside your garage can become punctured, including yourself. It’s possible to break fingers or crush feet when working on a garage door if you don’t know what you’re doing. 

Finding the correct replacement springs can also be a challenge. Because springs have an in-depth color-coding system, it’s crucial to refer to these to find the right wire size that can hold your door. Locating and installing the correct spring is much easier with the help of a professional. Professionals can also calibrate your springs to ensure they can maneuver the door up and down, eliminating jerky movements that can damage tracks and other parts, costing more in the long run. 

If you try to repair or replace your springs yourself, you will first have to be sure you have the proper tools. If you don’t, you’ll have to buy them and find a place to store them afterward. Professionals already have an arsenal of tools to tackle your problem. Additionally, if you use the wrong pieces or install parts incorrectly, you may end up breaking other door parts and costing yourself a more significant expense in the future.

Schedule a Service With Continental Door

Continental Door repairs, sells, installs and replaces garage door springs for homeowners and commercial organizations in the Spokane, Washington area. We have over 15 years of experience in the industry, and we take pride in our work. We have been offering the highest quality in the industry since 2001, tackling each unique problem with individualized solutions and creativity to fit your budget and meet your needs. 

We know how important your garage door is for your productivity and efficiency. Your door should make your life easier, not harder. Continental Door is your one-stop shop for garage door solutions, so you can get your door running in no time. 

Our growing team meets every client with professionalism and dedication. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we want to help you get the most from your garage door. Keeping your springs in good condition is essential for your door to lift and lower smoothly, and we know how to fix or replace them quickly so you can get back to your day without interruptions. 

You can easily request an estimate or schedule a service with us. For more information about our services, contact us online or give us a call at 509-921-2260.

How to Prevent Garage Door Hacking

In today’s society, keeping your valuable possessions and cherished loved ones safe comes down to one word: security. People rely on security features every day. Smartphones use PINs and facial recognition to unlock the device. People apply passwords to their computers and laptops to protect their sensitive information. Many people invest in upgraded security features to keep thieves out of their cars.

As a homeowner, you need to use the same level of caution with your garage door as you do with your other devices. After all, many people use their garage door as the main exit and entry point to their house. Garage door hackers keep getting smarter, so you need to know how to prevent garage door hacking.

Can Garage Door Openers Be Hacked?

The short answer is “yes,” but it’s a bit more complex than that. Garage door hacking centers around the relationship between your opener and the remote you use to activate it. When you click your garage door remote, it sends a signal using low-frequency waves to communicate with the opener. Some garage door openers are easier to hack than others, but it all depends on the interaction between opener and remote.

As technology advances, garage door hackers get better at their craft. When inventors created the first garage door openers, criminals began looking for ways to exploit them to enter people’s houses. This was an easy task at first since the technology was brand new. For criminals, it was as simple as buying a remote from the local hardware store and using it to open any garage door they desired. This was unacceptable, so companies began developing new security features.

Even though criminals continue finding ways to hack garage door openers, the latest advances in technology make it a more difficult task. As a homeowner, you need to make sure you’re doing everything you can to prevent unwanted access into your garage. It’s important to protect detached garages to keep your valuable possessions safe. But it’s even more crucial to protect your attached garage if it grants access to your house. The safety of your family depends on it.

What Are Fixed Code Garage Door Openers?

Fixed code garage door openers were the manufacturers’ first attempt to increase garage door security. Garage door openers use radio waves to function and operate at a frequency of 300-400 megahertz (MHz). Unlike the radio waves used to send songs and spoken word to our car radios and home stereo systems, people don’t need a license to use garage door radio waves. This is what allowed thieves to open people’s garage doors with ease early on. Fixed code garage doors helped make it a little trickier.

Fixed code garage door openers, or a dip switch garage door openers, use eight to 12 little switches inside the opener and the remote to set a code. Users set the code by sliding these dip switches into the up or down position. Think of this code as a gate on the path of the radio signal separating the remote from the garage door opener. Once a homeowner applies the same code to both sets of dip switches, the two devices can communicate with each other.

Even though most companies phased out fixed code garage door openers in the early 1990s, some are still around today. Pop off the pack of your garage door opener remote and see if you can find any dip switches. If not, then you have a more modern form of garage door security. If you see dip switches, you may want to think about upgrading your opener system to one that’s more secure.

Fixed code garage doors were a step in the right direction, but they weren’t enough to keep out intruders. Having eight to 12 dip switches with two settings per switch allows for many unique codes, but there is a limit to the possibilities. It would take a thief a long time to figure out an opener’s code through trial and error, but this wasn’t the real shortcoming of fixed codes. Their biggest fault lies in their reliance on a single, unchanging code to operate.

How Early Garage Doors Were Breached

The first automatic garage door openers were a bit of a security disaster. People accidentally opening their neighbor’s garage doors with their remotes was one thing. Criminals buying new garage door remotes from the hardware store and using them to open any garage door they wanted was quite another. Homeowners would have been better off keeping their manual garage doors instead of leaving their homes vulnerable to robbery from the lack of security features in those first garage door openers.

Then came the fixed code garage door openers with their trusty — or not so trusty — dip switches. These did provide an extra level of security, but using the same code every day left homeowners vulnerable to hacking. Tech-savvy thieves learned how to use devices called “code grabbers” to discover people’s unique garage door opener codes.

These crooks would set the device near someone’s garage door and wait for the homeowner to come home and press their garage door remote. The code grabber would intercept the signal and store the code. The homeowner would have to push their remote a second time to open their garage door.

And with that, the act was complete. Thieves would retrieve their code grabber with the stored code and use it to open the garage door at their convenience. Homeowners grew desperate for garage door openers with better security features.

What Are Rolling Code Garage Door Openers?

Rolling code garage door openers were the next step in increasing garage door security for homeowners. Manufacturers like LiftMaster realized that fixed code garage door openers were too easy for criminals to hack. So in the mid-’90s, they took a new direction and developed a system that used the opposite technology — one where the code changed. The result was rolling code, or hopping code, garage door openers. These make it much harder for criminals to steal someone’s garage door opener code.

Rolling code garage door openers create a new security code each time a homeowner uses their garage door opener. Technology within the opener uses a special algorithm that “rolls” or “hops” the opener’s security code to one of several billion other possible combinations. The opener discards the previous code so repeat codes are impossible, increasing security. Your opener will use the new code the next time you need access to your garage.

Check your garage door opener remote to see if your garage door uses rolling code technology. Look for words or phrases like “Security 2.0,” “Security +” or “Rolling Code” on the outside of your remote. Or, you can pop open the back for signs of new technology. If you see dip switches, your opener does not use rolling code technology. If you see a circuit board and a battery without any dip switches, then your opener may use rolling codes. You can always call your opener manufacturer for clarification.

Can Rolling Code Openers Still Be Hacked?

Thieves have found ways past even rolling code openers. Technology can increase security in our daily lives, but thieves can use their own technology to find ways around security features. Criminals can exploit rolling security features by using a code jamming device known as a rolljam.

All they have to do is hide the rolljam near someone’s garage door and wait for the right moment, like the code grabbers of the past. When a homeowner presses their remote, the rolljam intercepts the code and stores it. The homeowner then presses their remote a second time, generating a second code to open the garage door. The criminal can return to your house later and use the first stored code to access your garage.

Modern Solutions to Prevent Garage Door Hacking

As long as there are garage doors, garage door opener hacking will likely remain a problem for homeowners. Criminals seem to find ways around the latest security measures at every turn. No technology can guarantee complete resistance to thieves, but keeping up with the latest tech help homeowners resist break-ins. The harder you make it for criminals, the better your chances will be of keeping a secure home.

Whether you installed a new garage door opener within the last few years or you’re in the market for a new one, you should look for the following safety features:

• Two-factor authentication: Smart garage door openers are connected to the internet. In today’s world, everyone stores their usernames and passwords in online storage accounts like Google or Apple servers. Enable two-step authentication to keep people from hacking into your accounts and gaining access to your smart garage door opener.
• Security + and Security 2.0: These are the base features you should look for in any of the new garage door openers you’re considering. These make things a bit harder for criminals by offering rolling codes and different radio frequencies for the opener to operate. Choosing openers without these features would be like installing a front door without a lock.
• The myQ smartphone app: LiftMaster created myQ technology as the latest security feature for smart garage door openers. With the myQ app, you can control your garage door from anywhere. You’ll receive a notification when someone uses your garage door. You can even customize who has access to your garage door at specific times of the day. It’s the perfect fit for you if you already enjoy the benefits of smart technology in your home.

Using a Smart Garage Door? Why You Need to Keep Your WiFi Secure

It’s crucial that you keep your WiFi secure if you have a smart garage door opener. WiFi and cellular data make using your smart opener a breeze, but leaving your WiFi unprotected can make breaking in a breeze for hackers, too. Here are a few actions you can take to bolster the security of your WiFi:

• Use a complex password: Make sure to put a unique password on your WiFi to keep unwanted users from accessing it. Write it down and keep it in a safe place in your home, but make sure to keep it hidden.
• Change the WiFi’s name: If you keep your WiFi’s public name the same, potential hackers may start to realize which signal in the area belongs to your house. Change the name to throw hackers off your trail.
• Disable your WiFi during zero-activity hours: Some routers and apps allow you to turn off the WiFi during certain hours of the day. If there are times when your whole family will be out of the house, set your WiFi to turn off as an added security feature. Then have it turn back on when the family comes back home for the day.

Other Tips for Securing Your Garage Door Against Intruders

Here are some more tips for keeping intruders from entering your garage:

1. Invest in a deadlock: A deadlock is a classic way of keeping doors shut. Slide the deadlock in place, and criminals won’t easily open your garage door.
2. Install a security camera: Security cameras are excellent crime deterrents. When criminals see a security camera above your garage door, they might decide to take their chances elsewhere. LiftMaster sells a smart garage camera that works with myQ technology to let you see who is at your garage door from anywhere with an internet connection.
3. Invest in a motion detector: Install exterior lighting with motion detectors to send criminals running. When a potential thief gets close enough to your garage, a bright light will fill the area, revealing their actions in the dead of night. Combine motion detectors with security cameras for even more protection.
4. Don’t give out the four-digit keypad code: Many modern garage doors have an exterior keypad to give homeowners another way to enter their garage. Keep the four-digit code a secret, and be careful who you decide to give it to. If the code falls into a criminal’s hands, they’ll have an easy time walking right into your garage with the touch of four buttons.
5. Disengage the opener: If you’re going to be out of town for a while, disengage your opener. You can do this by pulling the red cord hanging from your garage door opener system. This will make it impossible for people to access your opener through hacking. Secure the door with a deadlock before leaving to keep anyone from manually opening your garage door.
6. Install a sturdy garage door: Having a strong garage door is a practical step in keeping your garage safe from intruders. Criminals may try to break into flimsy garage doors with brute strength. Having a sturdy garage door made of heavy-gauge steel is the best for fending off physical entry attempts.

Shop for Residential Garage Door Openers and More From Continental Door

Continental Door is the solution to your garage door needs. We’ve been helping homeowners in the greater Spokane, Washington, area achieve better garage door security for more than 15 years. We sell a variety of modern garage door openers from reputable companies like Liftmaster and Linear, including models compatible with myQ technology. We understand the risks of having outdated, insecure garage door openers. Together, we can help you experience the peace of mind that comes with installing a brand new garage door opener.

We offer free estimates, so contact us online today. No job is too big or too small for us at Continental Door. We look forward to meeting you.

What’s the Difference Between Torsion Springs and Extension Springs?

What’s the Difference Between Torsion Springs and Extension Springs?

You likely know that your springs are among the most important elements of your garage door system. If your garage door is not opening or closing correctly, it’s very often that a broken or worn out spring is the culprit.

If you’ve heard people talk about garage door springs before, you’ve most likely heard them called either torsion springs or extension springs. These are two different types of garage door springs — but what’s the difference, and which one is better?

Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs

Torsion springs are large springs you will find in a shaft above your garage door. Extension springs are smaller springs attached to the sides of your garage door. Most doors will have one of these types of garage door springs— you would never have both types of spring on the same door, however, smaller garage doors (8×7 or 9×7) only have one spring.  

When you open or close the door, if you have torsion springs, they wind or unwind to lift or lower your garage door. Extension springs fully expand or contract when opening or closing the door.

Learn More About Garage Door Spring Replacement

Which Are Better, Torsion Springs or Extension Springs?

In general, we prefer torsion springs to extension springs, for a number of reasons. One, even though torsion springs tend to be more expensive, they usually last twice as long, so you get a better value. Torsion springs tend to open and close your door in a more controlled motion as well. Extension springs usually operate with a jerky motion, and this puts more wear and tear on the springs with each use.

Extension springs also tend to require a bit more maintenance than torsion springs, as they have a more complicated apparatus, and it’s not as easy to get to all the areas you might need to lubricate. Additionally, if a torsion spring snaps, it can make a scary noise, but it usually stays on the shaft. If an extension spring snaps, it could fly off. This is why it’s important to have regular professional garage door maintenance to make sure your springs are in good shape.

Should I Choose Torsion Springs or Extension Springs?

So why would you use extension springs? They do have their advantages. In addition to being less expensive, extension springs are useful if you do not have a lot of overhead space in your garage for a torsion spring system. Extension springs will certainly do the job, and they are generally safe when you maintain them properly. If you’re not sure which type of springs you have or which kind you should get, ask your garage door professional.

For more information about torsion springs, extension springs, scheduling garage door maintenance or other garage door-related issues in the Spokane, Washington or Northern Idaho areas, please visit us today at Continental Door Company.

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