Garage Door Longevity and Safety Garage Door Springs Garage door torsion springs are rated by cycle life, with 10,000 cycles ( a cycle being one opening and one closing action) the industry standard minimum. The average spring breaks about every 7 to 12 years. If a garage door has two or more springs and one breaks, all springs should be replaced to maintain proper balance. Alhambra Garage Doors includes upgraded springs at no additional charge on all of our installations. Our springs are rated to last up to 25,000 cycles – twice the longevity of standard springs. Garage Door Failure The leading causes of garage door failure and/or replacement include lack of maintenance and being hit by vehicles. A proper maintenance schedule for a garage door includes lubrication of the rollers, bearings, pulleys, and springs once a year; washing painted steel surfaces several times a year; painting or refinishing wood surfaces as necessary; and making proper adjustments to the counter balance system as necessary to maintain door balance. A properly balanced garage door should be able to be stopped mid-travel without drifting down or up when operated manually. Garage Door Safety  (from the International Door Association) Do not let children (or adults) play "beat the door". It is dangerous and can result in serious injury or death. Adults should set a good example. Know how to use the emergency release, in case someone is pinned by the door. Do not let children play with or use the transmitters or remote controls. Always place and store them out of the reach of children. The pushbutton wall control should be out of the reach of children (at least 5 feet from the floor) and away from all moving parts. Mount and use the button where you can clearly see the moving garage door. Learn more about Garage Door Safety at the IDA website.