Is your garage door struggling to open, or did you hear a loud bang, like a gunshot? If the torsion springs above your garage door appear separated, you likely have a broken torsion spring. These springs, located above the door, are responsible for lifting the heavy weight of your garage door, which typically ranges between 150 to 225 pounds. Without functioning springs, your garage door opener won't be able to lift the door, and attempting to do so can cause significant damage to the opener's components.

When a spring breaks, the garage door won't go up, and trying to lift it manually can be extremely dangerous. Replacing a broken torsion spring is not a DIY project—it requires specialized knowledge and tools. Only trained professionals should handle torsion springs. Choosing the correct replacement spring is crucial and depends on the weight of your door. There are hundreds of spring combinations, but only one is correct for your specific door. Using the wrong spring can lead to future problems, such as your opener breaking down faster or the door coming off its tracks. Unfortunately, many installers use incorrect springs, which can only be avoided through experience.

Despite some claims, torsion springs do not last forever. "Lifetime" springs are a myth—every spring has a lifespan. Most builders install lower-cost doors with lower-cycle springs, which may only last 6,500 cycles, equating to 3-4 years for the average homeowner.

At Houston Garage Door Doctor, we ensure your springs are replaced correctly. We offer two types of torsion springs: standard and high cycle. For a 7-foot-tall door, our standard torsion springs last 18,000 cycles, while our high-cycle springs last 50,000 cycles. How long this lasts depends on usage. For instance, if you use your door four times a day, a standard torsion spring will last about 10 years, whereas using it eight times a day reduces that to 5 years. If you rarely use your door or plan to move soon, standard springs may be sufficient. However, if you use your door frequently or plan to stay in your home long-term, high-cycle springs are the better option. Investing in high-cycle springs will ensure your door operates smoothly for many years to come. Regardless of your choice, both types of torsion springs we offer are reliable and effective.

Call Houston Garage Door Doctor today to have your garage door fixed properly!

Is your garage door stopping midway when going up, or does it look crooked? If you notice a break in the spring along the side of the tracks, you likely have a broken extension spring. Extension springs are typically used on smaller doors, like 8x7 or 9x7 sizes. These springs attach to the bracket that holds the horizontal track to the ceiling, and they extend as the door goes down. If one spring breaks, the door cannot function properly. Even if only one spring is broken, both should be replaced since they have been used equally, and springs wear out based on usage.

Extension springs are designed to last 12,000 cycles, which usually translates to 7 to 12 years for most homeowners. Often, you'll know it's time to replace your extension springs when one snaps. However, as springs age, they can lose tension and become elongated. While rare, this can happen, resulting in gaps between the coils when the door is up. At this point, the spring is no longer effective and should be replaced to avoid overworking your opener, which could shorten its lifespan.

It's crucial that replacement springs are calibrated to match the weight of your door. Using the wrong size can cause improper functioning and lead to quicker breakdowns of the opener. Replacing extension springs is dangerous and should only be done by professionals. Ensure your garage door is repaired properly by calling Houston Garage Door Doctor today!

Installing a new garage door is one of the easiest ways to enhance the curb appeal and value of your home. Plus, replacing your garage door resolves all your garage door issues in one go. When choosing a new door, there are three key factors to consider: quality, appearance, and cost. At Houston Garage Door Doctor, we only recommend the highest quality garage doors, and that's why we exclusively install CHI® Overhead Garage Doors. These doors offer the perfect combination of superior quality, great aesthetics, and affordability.

While we always strive to repair your existing garage door whenever possible, sometimes replacement is the best option. This is particularly true if you're building a new home and want a top-quality garage door—because that's the only kind we install. Unfortunately, many builders cut corners, and the garage door is often one area where they skimp. At Houston Garage Door Doctor, we never cut corners. We ensure that every garage door we install is of the highest quality.

We primarily install three popular models from CHI® Overhead Doors: Models #2240, #5240, and Accents. You can view these in our gallery of completed projects. These are our best-selling doors, but we can also order any other door you like from CHI®. If you prefer a different model, simply visit Clopay Door, go to the “Residential” section, and click “Create Your Garage Door!” Then, give us a call with the model number and details, and we'll take care of the rest.

Not all garage doors are created equal. While many may look good, they might be poorly constructed or installed. Three factors determine how long a door will last:

• Garage Door Construction
• Hardware Package
• Who Is Installing It

Residential garage doors come in two main types: insulated and non-insulated. Insulated doors are ideal if you have air conditioning in your garage; they are also quieter and stronger than non-insulated doors. However, non-insulated doors can also be strong and durable. These doors come in three gauges: 26, 25, and 24. The lower the gauge, the stronger the door—26 gauge is the weakest, while 24 gauge is the strongest.

At Houston Garage Door Doctor, we never install 26 nor 25 gauge doors because they tend to crack and fall apart quickly. We recommend 24-gauge doors for their longevity, which ultimately saves you money. While 25-gauge doors are a decent option, they are more likely to have issues over time compared to 24-gauge doors.

The hardware package includes everything except the door panels, such as rollers, hinges, springs, and tracks. Unfortunately, many installers use cheap hardware, even on high-quality doors. Cheap hinges can crack, causing the door to come off its tracks. Most builders and installers use bearingless rollers, which drag and cause rough operation, making the door more likely to go off track and crack.

Whenever we install a new door, we always use torsion springs because they balance the door better and ensure smoother operation. Additionally, we use two torsion springs connected in the middle whenever possible, unlike many builders who use a single spring, which can cause the end bearing plates to break over time. We also ensure that the springs are always the correct size for the door we’re installing.

We use nylon-coated, 11-ball-bearing rollers, which are the quietest and most durable available. Our 14-gauge, wide-body hinges are highly resistant to breaking. The tracks we use are made from high-quality steel and are roll-formed, meaning the edges are rolled to prevent the rollers from coming out on their own.

Proper installation is perhaps the most crucial factor in the longevity of a garage door. Unfortunately, many companies don’t install garage doors correctly, leading to problems down the road. Proper installation requires a skill set developed through experience—installing numerous doors and repairing the mistakes made by others is what makes us the best at what we do.

At Houston Garage Door Doctor, we have the expertise to install your door the right way. Every home is unique and requires a customized installation to ensure years of trouble-free operation. You can trust Houston Garage Door Doctor to install your garage door properly, ensuring it lasts for many years to come.