How long do garage door springs last?

There is no fixed number of years, because springs wear by use. Each full open-and-close is one cycle, and most builder-grade springs are rated around 10,000 cycles. At four complete cycles a day, that works out to roughly seven years. A door used less can go longer, and a door that serves as the family's main entrance can reach its rating much sooner.

What changes the real lifespan

• Daily use. More drivers, a home business or using the garage as the front door all add cycles.
• Cycle rating. High-cycle springs are built for many more cycles than standard ones.
• Correct sizing. A spring that is too small for the door works harder every cycle.
• Condition. Rust, humidity and lack of lubrication shorten spring life.
• Balance. A door that is out of balance puts uneven load on springs, cables and the opener.

Should springs be replaced before they break?

A cycle rating is a design estimate, so no one can predict the day a spring will break, and springs can fail without warning. Rather than replacing on a calendar, have the door inspected if it is getting heavy, moving unevenly, or still running original springs on an older home. When one spring on a two-spring door breaks, the other has seen the same wear, so replacing both is usually the practical choice.

Making the next set last

When springs are replaced, ask about the cycle rating and whether a higher-cycle option fits how often your door runs. Keeping hinges and rollers lubricated and the door balanced also helps. See garage door spring replacement for what a visit involves.

Read more

• Fixing a garage door spring
• Garage door springs guide
• Garage door spring replacement

Related questions

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• Should I replace one garage door spring or both?
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