Your garage door is likely the largest moving object in your home. While the electric opener gets all the credit for lifting and lowering the door, the real heavy lifting is done by the garage door springs. These tightly wound coils act as a counterbalance, offsetting the immense weight of the door panels so they can be moved with ease. Whether you have a torsion spring system mounted above the door or extension springs running along the side tracks, these components are under extreme tension every single day.
Because they work so hard, garage door springs have a limited lifespan. They are rated for a specific number of cycles (one open and one close constitutes a cycle), and once they reach that limit, failure is inevitable. Unfortunately, when a spring snaps, it can be a violent and dangerous event that traps your car inside the garage or causes significant damage to the door itself.
The good news is that springs rarely fail without warning. If you pay close attention to the way your door operates, you can spot the symptoms of a wearing spring before it snaps. Here is a comprehensive guide to the signs that your garage door springs are about to break and why you should schedule a garage door spring replacement sooner rather than later.
1. The Garage Door Feels Heavy
The most reliable way to test the health of your springs is to check the balance of the door. If your springs are in good condition, a 150-pound garage door should feel like it weighs only a few pounds when you lift it manually.
To perform this test, you must first disconnect the automatic opener. You can do this by pulling the red emergency release cord hanging from the trolley. Once the door is in manual mode, try to lift it by hand. If the door feels incredibly heavy or is difficult to lift, the springs have lost their tension. They are no longer doing their job of counterbalancing the weight. If you struggle to lift the door, your electric opener is struggling too. This puts unnecessary strain on the motor, which can lead to a premature need for garage door opener repair. If the door is too heavy to lift safely, do not force it. Call a professional immediately.
2. Visible Gaps in the Torsion Spring
If you have a torsion spring system, the spring is located horizontally on a shaft directly above the door opening. When a torsion spring breaks, the coil unwinds in a split second, usually leaving a visible gap of two to three inches between the two halves of the spring.
However, before it snaps completely, you might notice elongation or deformation in the coils. If you look up and see that the coils look stretched out or if there is a small gap forming that wasn’t there before, the metal is failing. This is a critical warning sign. A spring with a gap has lost its structural integrity and cannot support the door. If you see this, you need to stop using the door immediately to prevent the heavy door from crashing down.
3. The Door Moves Jerkily
A well-balanced garage door should move smoothly and quietly up the tracks. If your door is jerking, stopping, or shaking as it moves, it is often a sign that the control mechanisms are failing.
This symptom is particularly common with extension springs (the ones located on the sides of the door). If one spring is wearing out faster than the other, the door will pull unevenly. This causes one side to drag or lag behind, resulting in a jerky motion. If left unaddressed, this uneven movement can cause the rollers to pop out of the tracks, leading to a much more complex garage door off track repair scenario. Consistent, smooth motion is a sign of health; anything else is a cry for help.
4. Excessive Noise: Squeaking and Groaning
Garage doors make noise, but they have a distinct language. A rhythmic hum is normal. Loud banging, screeching, or excessive squeaking is not.
Springs that are nearing the end of their life often produce a groaning or creaking sound as they expand and contract. This noise is caused by the metal coils rubbing against each other. In some cases, this can be resolved with proper lubrication, but often it indicates that the metal has become brittle or deformed. If you hear a loud “gunshot” sound from the garage, that is the sound of the spring snapping. If you are hearing constant complaints from the mechanism every time you cycle the door, it is worth having a technician inspect the system to see if the springs are simply dry or if they are fatigued and dangerous.
5. Visible Rust and Corrosion
Rust is the enemy of any metal component, but it is particularly devastating to springs. Rust weakens the steel, causing friction between the coils and creating pitting on the surface. This corrosion significantly reduces the lifespan of the spring by increasing coil-on-coil friction and creating weak points where the metal can fracture.
If you inspect your springs and see a coating of orange or brown rust, the integrity of the spring is compromised. While surface rust can sometimes be cleaned, deep corrosion means the spring is a ticking time bomb. In humid environments or coastal areas, springs degrade faster. Regular maintenance can prevent this, but if the rust has already taken hold, replacement is the safest option to ensure the door remains operational.
6. The Door Falls Too Fast
This is another aspect of the balance test. If you lift the door manually to about waist height and let go, it should stay in place or drift down very slowly. The springs should hold the weight of the door in a neutral position.
If the door slams to the floor the moment you let go, the springs have failed. They no longer possess enough tension to hold the door up. This is incredibly dangerous because if the electric opener were to fail or become disconnected while the door was open, the door could come crashing down on a person, pet, or vehicle. A door that cannot hold its own weight is a safety hazard that requires immediate attention.
7. Loose or Slack Cables
The springs and cables work in unison. The springs provide the power, and the cables transfer that power to the door. If a torsion spring breaks or loses tension, the cables will often go slack or fall off the drums entirely.
If you look at the sides of your door and notice the steel cables are loose, dangling, or unspooled, do not try to fix them yourself. The cables are only loose because the spring is no longer pulling them tight. While you might need garage door cable repair, the root cause is almost always the spring system. Attempting to tighten cables without addressing the springs can result in serious injury due to the high tension involved.
8. The Top Section of the Door is Bent
This is a subtle sign that is often overlooked. If you have an electric opener, it pulls on the top section of the door to open it. If the springs are weak or broken, the opener has to pull significantly harder to get the dead weight of the door moving.
This excessive force can cause the top panel of the door to bend or bow in the center where the opener arm is attached. If you see your top panel beginning to crease or bend, it is strong evidence that the springs are not doing their job. Ignoring this will not only ruin your opener but will eventually destroy the top panel of your garage door, necessitating a much more expensive repair.
Why You Should Never DIY Spring Repair
It is important to emphasize that garage door springs are under incredibly high tension. The energy stored in a wound torsion spring is sufficient to break bones or cause severe lacerations. Homeowners often underestimate the danger and attempt to replace springs themselves using household tools, which can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Professional technicians have the proper winding bars, training, and experience to handle these components safely. They can also ensure that the correct size and weight rating of spring is installed. Installing the wrong spring can cause the door to fly up uncontrollably or be too heavy to lift, both of which damage the opener and the door structure. For your safety and the longevity of your door system, always rely on professional services.
Conclusion
Your garage door springs work tirelessly to provide convenience and security for your home. By keeping an eye out for these warning signs, gaps, noise, rust, and balance issues, you can catch a failing spring before it snaps and leaves you stranded. Preventative maintenance is always more convenient and affordable than an emergency repair. If you suspect your springs are wearing out, do not wait for the loud bang of a break.
Is your garage door feeling heavy or making strange noises?
Don’t risk a dangerous spring failure. Contact Top One Garage Doors LLC today for a comprehensive inspection and expert replacement. Our skilled team serves Bellevue, Renton, and surrounding areas with prompt and safe service. Call us now at (425) 547-0117 or visit our Contact Us page to schedule your appointment.
