How Do I Know What Torsion Spring to Buy for My Garage Door

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  • Author William Kim
  • Published December 7, 2009
  • Word count 500

Most of us believe that garage doors are simple from beginning to end. After all, how hard is it to have a garage door that you can roll up? It seems simple, but, in fact, it definitely is not. Garage doors work by having a perfect blend of items, including springs and rollers, which allow the heavy garage door to lift gently. And if your garage door stops working, you may suddenly wonder how you're going to get your garage door to work again, or if you're going to have to purchase a whole new garage door. Quite often the purchase of a new garage door can be avoided by changing up a few things, and one of those things is the springs.

Garage doors have two different types of springs. One is known as torsion springs, and the other is extension springs. Both of these springs are used to counterbalance the weight of the garage door, allowing you to easily lift something that should be too heavy for the average person to lift. How can you tell which type of spring you have? Look directly above the garage door. If you've got a spring that stretches and contracts as the garage door opens and closes, and that is mounted above the horizontal tracts, you have an extension spring. If, however, you've got a spring that is mounted on the bar that is directly above the garage door and that winds and unwinds as the garage door opens and closes, you've got a torsion spring.

If you need to change out your torsion springs for your garage door, you first need to know how to find the right one. Unfortunately, all torsion springs aren't the same, and buying the wrong one will give you nothing but grief. There are four dimensions that determine how much the spring can lift. The first is the length of the torsion spring. This can be easily measured. The next is the inside diameter. This can also be fairly easily measured using your tape measure. Next is the wire size, which needs to be measured, and finally is what is known as wind.

This can all get very confusing, which is why many people choose to purchase the same type of torsion spring that came with their garage door. You can find what type of torsion spring your garage door uses fairly easily online, using a search engine or a site that specializes in selling torsion springs.

Replacing any type of spring on a garage door can be a dangerous proposition, as the springs are under tension. If you don't use the correct tools and are not careful, injuries may occur. Make sure, before you do any changing of the springs on your own, that you have read how to do it and that you are using the right tools in a very safe manner. Changing torsion springs can be tricky so calling a qualified professional garage door service company is always a good idea.

William Kim works for San Diego's Choice Overhead Door Co. SanDiegoOverheadDoors.com has become the number one choice for San Diego's garage door needs. We specialize in repairs of existing and sales of new garage doors and garage door openers!

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