Your automatic garage door goes a great deal towards contributing to the curb appeal of your home. It can also offer you a lot of convenience and security. Torsion springs are a key component of many door models. These components are in charge of supporting the door's weight and providing it with the necessary tension in order to move up and down. Since they are under a lot of stress on a daily basis, they need to undergo some routine maintenance in order to stay in an optimal condition. If your door uses a torsion spring, then we've got some maintenance guidelines you can follow.
The Tools You Need
To perform garage door spring maintenance, you will need a ladder and a container of a 3-in-1 oil spray. Once you have these, go ahead and disconnect your electronic garage door opener from the power socket. That way no one will accidentally activate it while you're so close to the spring. You should also release the door from the opener by pulling the red manual release cord. Now, place your ladder close to the door and climb up to where you have a clear view of the torsion shaft. This is the bar that is located on the top of your garage door with the spring wrapping around it. Each side of the shaft should have brackets on the end of it.
Inspect The Shaft and The Spring
Make sure the shaft goes into the bearing in the brackets. Do not try to take off the torsion coil in order to lubricate the shaft. Leave this part to the professionals. After you're done inspecting the bearings, examine the mounting bracket in the center. Make sure it is securely in place. You also need to examine the length of your torsion spring. If you find any evidence of rust or damage, stop what you're doing and call our experts right away.
Apply The Lubricant
Use caution when applying the lubricant. While the torsion spring coil can greatly benefit from this, the winding brackets can make the springs unwind if you accidentally lubricate them. Once you're done, move your ladder away, re-engage your door with the opener, and plug it back into the electrical socket. You should operate your door a couple of times to make sure the lubrication gets into every spot. If you have steel rollers, you may want to lubricate them as well, as they can also benefit from it.
Seek Help at The First Sign of Trouble
If you're unsure as to what exactly you should do, or if you find something wrong with your torsion spring, call our experts at Garage Door Repair Arlington immediately.