Home turf
We drive out on Steveston Highway, Highway 99 or Westminster Highway depending on where you are. Steveston and Seafair are a short run. So are City Centre and East Cambie. Plan on 10 to 20 minutes.
Why springs break in Richmond
Richmond is flat and wet, and it sits right on the river. Damp air and salt off the Fraser rust the spring wire. Rust weakens the wire and the spring snaps before its cycle count is up. Older houses with the original springs are the most common calls.
Torsion or extension
Torsion springs sit on a bar above the door and wind up as the door closes. Most newer houses in Richmond have them. Extension springs run along the upper tracks on both sides and stretch as the door closes. You see them more on older houses. Both store a lot of energy, even with the door shut.
Broken spring repair Richmond homeowners should not try alone
Do not try to change or adjust a spring yourself. A torsion spring can throw a winding bar hard enough to break bones. An extension spring can whip back if the safety cable is missing. We see the results of home attempts and they are never worth it.
If the door is down, leave it down. Unplug the opener so nobody hits the button. A door with a broken spring can come down fast.
How we do it
We lock the door in place with clamps on the track so it cannot move. Then we measure the old spring. The new spring has to match the door weight or the door will not balance. On a two spring door we change both. We look at the cables and bearings while we are up there. Then we balance the door and test the auto reverse.
Broken spring repair Richmond calls at night
Springs do not care what time it is. A lot of them go on a cold morning when the door makes its first run. We take broken spring repair Richmond calls 24/7 because a car stuck behind a dead door is a real problem when you have to get to work.
Being close helps. Broken spring repair Richmond jobs are the shortest drive we have, so the wait is usually short too.
Making the new springs last
A light coat of silicone or a garage door lube on the coils every few months helps in this climate. Keeping the garage dry helps too. If your garage sits low and stays damp, a dehumidifier is worth thinking about.
Richmond spring repair FAQ
How do I know my garage door spring is broken?
You usually hear a loud bang. Then the door feels very heavy or only lifts a few inches. On a torsion spring you can often see a gap in the coil.
Can I open the door by hand with a broken spring?
It is not safe. Without the spring the door has no counterbalance and can drop. Keep kids and pets away from it.
How long does a spring replacement take?
About one to two hours, depending on the door and the spring type.
Call us
For broken spring repair in Richmond call (778) 873-7282. We pick up 24/7. The on site assessment is free. A surcharge may apply depending on the area, and we quote it before we come out.