Services

Garage Door Springs

The torsion spring and the extension spring are two of the most common types used for residential garage doors. Both springs are under extreme tension and can pose serious hazards if improperly handled. The professional installer is the key in ensuring that installation and service procedures follow manufacturers’ instructions and that all precautions are taken to minimize risk.

Only experienced, trained professionals should ever replace or install torsion or extension springs. Attempting to lift a door with a broken spring can be extremely dangerous. Also, replacing a spring requires expertise to know exactly which spring to replace it with and how much torque to be applied.

Torsion Springs

A garage door torsion spring is a heavy-duty, coiled metal spring mounted horizontally above the garage door that balances the door's weight through rotational torque. It enables smooth operation by twisting (winding) to store energy when closing and unwinding to lift the door. They are generally preferred for safety and longevity (10,000–20,000 cycles). The amount of energy stored in garage door torsion springs is enormous. Make sure any work done around your garage door springs is always performed by a highly trained, qualified professional.

For garage doors with two springs, the same amount of tension must be equally applied.  Uneven tension or mismatched springs causes the door to open and close unevenly. In addition, uneven tension or mismatch springs affect the way the cables interact causing the cable to pop off the spool rendering one side of the door dead weight.

Extension Springs

An extension spring is generally used on smaller doors (8x7 or 9x7). It is a type of garage door spring that stretches to provide tension, counterbalancing the door's weight to make it easy to open and close. They are attached to the bracket that holds the horizontal track to the ceiling.

They are installed in pairs on either side of the garage door, running parallel to the horizontal tracks. When the door closes, the springs extend (stretch), storing energy to assist with lifting. Similarly, as the door is opened, the stretch is gradually reduced.

It’s obvious to replace your extension springs because it snaps. Sometimes, however, when extension springs get older, they can lose their tension and the spring becomes elongated. Basically, the coils are fatigued and when the door is up you can see gaps where the spring is not relaxing properly. When this happens, the spring is useless. It is best to replace the springs at this point rather than overworking the opener which will cause it to last a shorter life.

Extension springs must be safely restrained utilizing a restraint cable that runs through the center of the spring to contain the spring intact in the event of breakage and prevent potential damage or injury.

Drums

Cable drums are aluminum castings and come in pairs. One end of each of the lift cables attaches to the drum. The drums convert the torque of the springs into a lifting force used to counterbalance the weight of the door. As the door is opened, the cables wrap around and collect on the drums.

Oftentimes when unqualified people attempt to fix the garage door they wind up choosing and installing the wrong parts. The wrong size drum affects the dynamic of the door and puts unreasonable amounts of strain on the cable, which can cause it to fray and snap.

Mismatched drums, will cause the door to raise and lower unevenly and put a lot of stress and strain on the cables. This can result in the cable slipping off the drum or becoming frayed and breaking under pressure.

Garage Door Openers

Garage door openers come in several types. Understanding how each one works can help you choose the right model for your home. Belt drive and chain drive garage door openers are two of the most common types of garage door openers. A third type is the screw drive door opener.

Chain drive garage door openers use a metal chain assembly to open and close a garage door. The chain running assembly unit attaches to tension springs. When the motor runs, the chain moves, opening or closing the door. Chain drive garage door openers are affordable and readily available. Many homeowners have chain drive openers as they are one of the oldest opener types.

Advantages of Chain Drive Openers

Chain drive models are reliable, straightforward, and budget-friendly. Because they’re the most basic design, they’re usually the least expensive option and work well for most standard garage doors.

Disadvantages of Chain Drive Openers

The downside is noise. The metal chain creates noticeable sound and vibration, especially on older units. They may last longer than most belt drive openers, but they are loud, slow, and require more maintenance to keep them functioning reliably.

Belt drive garage door openers use a rubber belt to open a garage door. The rubber belt slides an assembly trolley to open and close your garage door. Belt drive garage door openers offer durability, silence and speed and are becoming a popular choice for homeowners when replacing their opener.

Advantages of Belt Drive Openers

Belt drive openers are quieter, easy to install, substantial lifting power, Less maintenance, and more reliable

Disadvantages of Belt Drive Openers

Belt drive openers are often more expensive, and often times not readily available,

Screw drive openers use a threaded rod that is fixed into a track that runs from the opener to the door. A trolley is attached to the threaded rod and extends an arm (which can be either straight or curved) to the door, where it is firmly attached. When the door is engaged the motor turns the threaded rod and the trolley moves along the rod either toward the motor or away from it. The arm then raises or lowers the door.

Advantages of Screw Drive Openers

These openers deliver strong, smooth lifting power, especially for large, heavy, or oversized garage doors. If you have a heavy wooden door or an extra-wide/tall door, a screw drive opener is often the most effective choice.

Disadvantages of Screw Drive Openers

The cost is similar to belt drive models, making them more expensive than chain openers. However, for homeowners with heavier doors, the added lifting capability often justifies the price.

Sensors

Garage door sensors are essential safety devices that use infrared beams to detect obstructions in the door's path, preventing them from closing on people, pets, or vehicles. They typically feature a transmitter and receiver that, when aligned, show solid lights (often green/yellow); if misaligned or blocked, a light will blink, and the door will reverse

Common Issues

1. • Misaligned sensors are a common issue that can prevent the garage door from closing 

   • Dirt and debris on the sensor lenses can block the safety beam, causing the door to malfunction.

   • Electrical issues, worn-out components, or physical damage can lead to sensor malfunctions.

Rollers

Garage door rollers are small wheels attached to the sides of garage door panels that ride inside the vertical and horizontal tracks, enabling smooth, quiet, and balanced operation. They typically consist of a wheel and a stem, with most standard residential doors using 10–12 rollers. Rollers are used for guiding the door sections along the track. They consist of a tire assembled to a stem.

Garage door rollers are essential for smooth, quiet operation, with nylon and steel being the most common types. If your rollers are worn out, or noisy, consider allowing a professional to replace them.  

Garage Door Lubrication

Most homeowners disregard their garage door’s need for lubrication or any kind of maintenance or service work until something goes wrong.  A garage door should be lubricated every 6–12 months using a white lithium grease or silicone-based spray to ensure quiet, smooth operation and extend its lifespan. Hinges, rollers, springs, and bearings should be lubricated.