Torsion springs are more difficult to replace than extension springs, which are used for certain garage door designs, so it must be done only if you know what you're doing and with caution. It may be a better idea to hire a professional despite their high fees, because one wrong move can be very dangerous.

When to Replace them

Most normal torsion springs can sustain about 10,000 cycles after which the steel loses its flexibility and will break, which could in turn cause the spring to pop out of place and hurt someone. On average, opening and closing your garage door about 4 times a day will result in a garage door spring replacement about every 7 years.

If you hear a loud snap beforehand, it may be time to consider replacing, because waiting too long can be dangerous. The spring is forced the most when the door is down, so this is most likely when it will snap, which is lucky since snapping while open would also cause the door to come crashing down.

What to Buy

Replacing torsion springs is a complicated procedure, so the best thing to do is find a company that sells easy to install torsion spring kits. The Clopay EZ Set Torsion Spring System is one recommended product that tries to make the process simpler for homeowners.

Regardless of if you choose this system or just buy the parts you need from a home renovation center, you will need to consider the following details to know what product to buy: the wire size, the diameter of the inside, the length of the spring and if the spring is right or left wound. You can measure the wire size by using a caliper, wire gauge or micrometer.

The inside diameter must be determined to the closest 1/16" and can often be determined if the brand is written on it. To measure the length of the spring, you must unwind it, and it is broken, count the coils and multiply the number by the wire length. Finally, to determine the wind of the spring, don't base it on what side of the garage door it was on, but check for color coding, since red is usually for right hand winds and black is for left hand.

The best thing to do when dealing with garage door torsion springs is to get professional help, because it is a job you need to be fully skilled at to avoid injury, but getting information beforehand can at least give you some background knowledge to know who to hire and the service they are giving you.