2024-01-15 6 min read Mike Johnson
Your garage door springs work hard every day, lifting and lowering hundreds of pounds with each cycle. Over time, even the highest quality springs will wear out and need replacement. Knowing the warning signs can help you avoid a dangerous situation and inconvenient breakdowns. As experts in garage door repair serving San Jacinto, Hemet, and Menifee, we've compiled the most important indicators that your springs may be failing.
Before diving into the warning signs, it's helpful to understand how garage door springs work. There are two main types of springs used in residential garage doors: torsion springs and extension springs.
Torsion springs are mounted above the garage door opening and use torque to lift the door. They're typically more durable and provide smoother operation. Most modern garage doors use torsion springs because they offer better balance and longer lifespan.
Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door. They extend and contract to provide lifting power. While less expensive, they typically don't last as long as torsion springs and can be more dangerous if they break without proper safety cables installed.
When a torsion spring breaks, it will often leave a visible gap in the coils. This is the most obvious sign that your spring has failed. If you notice a gap of several inches in your spring, it's time to call a professional immediately. A broken spring means your door is essentially operating on borrowed time.
The gap occurs because the spring's tension has been released. What was once a tightly coiled spring has now separated at the weakest point. This typically happens after years of use, as the metal fatigues from the constant stress of lifting and lowering the heavy door.
If your garage door is opening at an angle or seems to be tilting to one side, this could indicate that one of your extension springs has broken or is significantly weaker than the other. This puts extra strain on your opener and the remaining hardware, potentially causing additional damage if not addressed promptly.
An uneven door is more than just an aesthetic concern.it's a safety hazard. The door could potentially fall or become jammed, trapping vehicles or causing injury. Additionally, the extra strain on one side of the system accelerates wear on cables, rollers, and tracks.
A broken spring often makes a loud banging noise when it snaps. If you heard a sudden loud noise from your garage and now your door won't open properly, a broken spring is the likely culprit. Many homeowners describe the sound as similar to a gunshot or firecracker.
This sudden release of tension can be startling and is sometimes mistaken for something falling in the garage or even an attempted break-in. If you hear this sound, inspect your springs before attempting to operate the door.
Garage doors can weigh 150-400 pounds or more depending on the material and size. The springs do the heavy lifting, so if your door suddenly feels much heavier than normal when operating manually, your springs may be losing tension or have broken.
Try this test: disconnect your garage door opener by pulling the emergency release cord, then try to lift the door manually. A properly balanced door should lift easily with one hand and stay in place when lifted about halfway. If it's difficult to lift or won't stay in place, your springs need attention.
If your garage door won't stay in an open position and starts falling, this is a sign that your springs are failing. A properly functioning door should stay in place when lifted manually to about waist height. When springs lose their tension, they can no longer counterbalance the door's weight effectively.
This issue poses a serious safety risk. A door that falls unexpectedly could damage vehicles, crush items stored near the opening, or cause serious injury to anyone standing beneath it.
Spring replacement is one of the most dangerous garage door repairs. The springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury if handled improperly. Always call a licensed professional like Garage Door San Jacinto for garage door repair. Never attempt to adjust or replace springs yourself.
We recommend replacing both springs at the same time, even if only one has broken. Springs have similar lifespans, so if one has failed, the other is likely close behind. Replacing both ensures balanced operation and prevents another service call in the near future. We serve Hemet, Menifee, Beaumont, and all surrounding communities.
Regular maintenance can extend the life of your springs and help you catch problems before they become emergencies. Read our seasonal maintenance checklist for more tips. Contact us today or call 951-724-4202 to schedule your annual garage door inspection.