Replacing snapped torsion or extension springs on Summit garage doors, from heavy wood carriage doors to standard steel sectionals.
Springs fail on a schedule set by cycles, but in Summit the type and weight of the door changes everything. A solid wood or wood clad carriage house door, common on older houses on the North Side and around Kent Place Boulevard, can weigh far more than a hollow steel door of the same size. Heavier doors need heavier springs, and when one snaps the door becomes very hard to lift. Older detached garages may still have extension springs stretched along the tracks, which should always have safety cables run through them.
Cold mornings on the ridge are when many springs give out. Steel that is already fatigued is less forgiving in the cold, and the first deep freeze of winter brings a wave of calls. If you hear a bang from the garage before your commute to Summit station, leave the opener alone. Pushing the button again will make the motor try to lift the full weight of the door, which can strip the gear or bend the top panel. If the door is closed, leave it closed and arrange another way to get to the train.
A technician will weigh or measure the door, match the wire size, length, and inside diameter of the springs, and install a pair sized for that door rather than whatever is on the truck. On a heavy custom door, ask about high cycle springs, since replacing them costs about the same in labor whenever it happens. In a low headroom garage, the spring setup may be mounted differently than usual, so mention the ceiling height when you call. Expect the door to be balanced and tested before the job is done.
Yes. Wood and wood clad doors are usually heavier than steel doors of the same size, so they need stronger springs. The technician should weigh the door or calculate its weight rather than guess, since an undersized spring will leave the door hard to lift.
Many older Summit garages still have extension springs. They work, but they should have safety cables through them. If headroom allows, some owners convert to torsion springs for smoother operation. Ask the contractor whether your garage has room.
Do not try. With a broken spring you would be lifting the whole door, and it can drop suddenly. Leave it, get to the station another way, and call the contractor to arrange a visit.
About 30% of Summit's housing units were built in the 1950s and another 33% before 1940, so most of the housing stock is mid-century or older.
api.censusreporter.orgSummit sits on a ridge atop the Second Watchung Mountain, at an elevation of 374 ft.
en.wikipedia.orgIsaias knocked out power to 1.3 million New Jersey residents in Aug 2020.
patch.comFixing and replacing openers in Summit homes, including quiet drives for rooms over the garage and battery backup for storm outages.
Resetting crooked or jammed Summit garage doors and replacing frayed cables, often rusted by slush on sloped driveways.
New doors for Summit homes, from carriage house styles that suit older architecture to insulated doors under finished rooms.
A fall checkup for Summit garage doors that clears leaves from the tracks, replaces worn seals, and catches tired springs before winter.