The most important and critical component on any home garage door are the torsion springs which allow the door to open and close easily and smoothly. If one or both of the springs are not working properly, the door may not open all the way or even at all. As with all mechanical and electric gear in the home, garage doors require regular servicing to ensure that they continue working the way they were designed to.

One of the most critical and dangerous components on any home garage door opener are the high tension springs which need to be routinely inspected and lubricated as per the manufacturers directions. Nevertheless, the majority of homeowners are totally unaware of the fact that garage door torsion springs and cables require routine safety and maintenance checks every so often.

The most obvious perpetrators to pay particular attention to when you are having trouble either opening or shutting your garage door are the high tension springs. If the springs are old, they are probably worn out to some point. Garage door torsion springs are kept under very high tension and are wound tightly. Because of this tension, even the best quality steel springs will eventually snap. It is because of this danger of sudden breakage that all garage door opener torsion springs have to be contained so as avert serious injury or property damage. That containment is either in the form of cables or in the case of roller shutter doors, an external steel tube.

Even if the springs are contained, or if the door has been installed for a number of years, you should have them inspected by a professional garage door installer. The springs should be replaced if necessary. Many overhead garage doors will have two independant springs fitted. If only one is not working as it should, do not simply replace it and not the other. Both springs should be replaced at the same time even though the non faulty one may exhibit little indication of wear. It stands to reason that the other spring is liable to break before you know it.

A sure indication that your garage door is in need of a spot of maintenance is when the springs either begin squeaking or chattering loudly when opening or lowering the door. Just because it makes these noises does not indicate that either the door or the springs need replacing. Instead, the problem can be in all likelihood be fixed with a simple bit of lubrication of the individual moving components.

A further indication that your garage door requires servicing is if there are shredded and worn strips of cable hanging loose. Irrespective of the quality of your garage door opener, this is a sign that the cables are on the brink of snapping. A sudden break in the garage door cables can result in serious injury. These chafed cables should be examined and most likely replaced by a professional repairer who is acquainted with the problems associated with springs and cables snapping.

Garage doors by themselves are very heavy and due to that weight, the torsion springs have to be retained under extreme tension. You should therefore not try any mechanical adjustments yourself due to the risks involved in doing so. It would be wise to have a professional garage door engineer inspect these important components of your home yearly to avert potential injury and problems caused by bad springs.