Your garage door is the largest moving part of your home, and it’s built to keep you, your property, and your family safe. Unfortunately, the same weight that made it so sturdy and effective can become an irritating burden over time—not to mention a huge safety hazard. Here’s what to do when your garage door gets too heavy.
How Much Does a Garage Door Weigh?
Garage doors can weigh upwards of 400 lbs, but even “light” garage doors aren’t really light. The door’s size, material, thickness, and amount of windows will all add to its overall weight, but even without any of those things, a “light” single-door garage weights at least 130 lbs. In order to lift these massive machines manually, we depend on a counterweight system supported by torsion or extension springs.
Why Does My Garage Door Feel Too Heavy?
If your garage door is starting to feel especially heavy and tough to lift, it’s an indication that the torsion springs are losing their tension and strength. Most garage door contractors recommend changing a garage door spring system after 10,000 opening and closing cycle. So, if you have a single car garage and use it four times per day, the garage door will wear out after about seven years. Double garage doors, being extra heavy, wear out the springs faster and need to be replaced in about five years.
How Do I Make My Garage Door Last Longer?
To make your garage door as safe as possible, for as long as possible, we recommend regular, preventative maintenance. Your garage door contractor will lubricate the spring system, inspect all parts and materials, and ensure that the door is still safe to operate. As an added bonus, the lubricant will also reduce the noise the springs make when they contract, making a much nicer-sounding return home.
Get Preventive Apex Garage Door Maintenance If you are searching for an Apex garage door maintenance company, stop by All American Overhead Garage Door. Our preventative maintenance program and garage door repairs will make your heavy garage door safe and easy to use. For a free estimate, click here.
