Garage door springs are a commonly overlooked item when it comes to home maintenance. But when they break, they can cause a tremendous amount of inconvenience for you and others in your household. The average life expectancy for a typical garage door spring is approximately 10,000 cycles, which comes out to around 7 years if you open and close your garage door 4 times a day. However, there's a good chance you don't know or can't remember how many cycles your springs have gone through, making it tough to know exactly when to expect garage door spring failure.

By keeping an eye out for the following warning signs, you can take proactive steps to prevent a complete garage door spring failure from happening.

Sign #1: Weak Garage Door Springs

Your garage door springs are designed to support the weight of the door as it opens and closes. Ordinary wear and tear through years of use can weaken the springs over time, making them more likely to suddenly snap under stress. Weak springs also mean you'll have to put more muscle into opening your garage door, since the springs aren't able to fully counteract the door's entire weight.

Weak garage door springs can also add greater strain on your garage door opener. The average automatic garage door opener isn't designed with the full weight of a suddenly unbalanced garage door in mind. As a result, it could take longer for your garage door to open. Your garage door could also fall faster than normal when closing it with the garage door opener.

Fortunately, there is a way you can see if the springs are still able to support your garage door:

• With the garage door closed, pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the garage door opener from the door itself.
• Manually raise the door by at least a couple of feet and then release it. If the garage door stays in place, the springs are still in good shape. If the door starts to sag as soon as you let it go, the springs are weak and need replacement.

Sign #2: Rust and Corrosion

Rust and corrosion are one of the more common reasons for garage door spring failure. As rust forms on the garage door spring, it eats away at the bare metal, weakening the spring and making it more prone to sudden breakage. It also increases the amount of friction the spring experiences, accelerating overall wear and tear. Once rust and corrosion are spotted on a garage door spring, it's usually only a matter of time before it has to be replaced.

A thin coat of lightweight motor oil, white lithium grease or silicone-based lubricant can be all that stands in between your garage door springs and the corrosive effects of rust. Regular lubrication prevents moisture from accumulating directly on the garage door spring, lessening the likelihood of rust formation over time. Steer clear of water-displacing lubricants, as these often lack the durability needed to survive months of constant movement.

Sign #3: Excess Creaking, Popping and Grinding

Excessive noise can also be an indicator that your garage door springs will eventually need replacing. In most cases, the popping, creaking and chattering noises are the result of the garage door springs rubbing against its own individual coils. Aforementioned rust and corrosion can also cause your springs to generate excess noise.

Lubricating the garage door springs can help calm down excess noise. However, it's a temporary measure that'll not last for long. In most cases, the only permanent solution for noisy garage door springs is to have the springs replaced entirely.

Looking out for these signs can help you anticipate and ward off garage door spring failure.

For more information or for a more professional diagnosis, contact garage door repair companies or visit websites like http://www.shankdoor.com.