Although many people mistakenly think that the opener is the part that's in charge of supporting the full weight of the garage door panels, that's actually not true. The springs are the ones that bear the majority of the weight, while the opener simply serves as a steady pulling or pushing mechanism, much like the part your hand plays in a manual garage door.
The Potential Problems
Although their role is very important, garage door springs are also incredibly dangerous. Because they are under a lot of tension on a daily basis, any mishandling can cause them to break. A broken spring will make it impossible for you to use your door, and replacing it will require the help of a professional technician. Even trying to adjust these components can be very risky, so you're far better off leaving this type of task to our experts as well.
The Two Different Options
Extension springs are the older type that was first used. They work by stretching and contracting in order to pull and lower the door. Because of this, they are more likely to snap and go flying, which is why they are often attached with safety cables that keep them in place when they break. Torsion springs are the newer type. They work by producing torque, i.e. twisting, in order to rotate drums that wind and unwind lift cables that are attached to the bottom of the door panels. Torsion units require lubrication to keep their performance smooth and silent, but they are much stronger and more flexible than their counterparts.
Our Experts Are Here For You
Garage door spring replacement is a dangerous task that should only be performed by professional technicians. If you find yourself in need of assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to our team at Garage Door Repair Prior Lake and let us take care of things safely and quickly.