Signs You Need to Repair Your Garage Door Springs

Garage door springs are typically located above the door near the wall, and it’s essential to know whether your door uses one or two. These springs handle the heavy lifting and maintain the door’s balance, whether torsion or extension. Over time, springs can suddenly break, posing severe risks such as injuries and property damage. If this happens, do not attempt to operate the door. Contact us immediately for professional assistance.

Signs that your garage door springs might be old or broken:

Difficulty opening or closing: You might need more force than usual to open or close the door, or the door might open or close slowly or jerkily.

Crooked door: If one side of the door is higher than the other when it opens or closes, the springs might not provide equal tension.

Noise: You might hear squealing, groaning, popping, or banging sounds when you operate the door.

The door closes too fast: When the springs are working correctly, they work together to control the speed at which the door closes. If the door closes too fast, it could indicate a spring problem.

Gap: If a torsion spring snaps in the middle, you might notice a gap that’s several inches wide.

Won’t open: Your door may not open, even when you use the emergency release.

Top Reasons Garage Door Springs Break

Wear and tear: The springs are under constant tension and release when the door opens and closes, which weakens the metal over time. Most springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles, about 7–10 years of regular use.

Rust: Rust can weaken the spring’s coils and increase friction, which can cause it to break. It is especially common in humid, rainy, or coastal climates.

Improper maintenance: The lack of having an annual maintenance done can cause springs to break.

Excessive tension: If the spring is under too much stress, it can weaken and break.

Sudden impact: If the door is hit by a car or something falls on it, the spring can break.

Door jams: Dirt, grime, or debris can build up in the door’s track, blocking the roller and causing the door to jam. This can prevent the spring from releasing its energy or coiling up to store more energy.

Improper installation: If the springs are not rated for the door or installed incorrectly, they may wear out faster.

To help prevent your garage door springs from breaking, you can:

• Regularly inspect and maintain your garage door system
• Check the balance of your garage door every season

The Importance of Garage Door Maintenance

Regular garage door maintenance is vital for ensuring safety, preventing costly repairs, extending the lifespan, and being proactive about keeping your garage door operating smoothly and securely for years.

Key benefits of garage door maintenance:

Safety: Identifying and fixing potential hazards like broken springs, frayed cables, or faulty sensors can prevent injuries from a malfunctioning door.

Cost savings: Addressing minor issues early through maintenance can save you money on large repair bills later.

Extended lifespan: Regular lubrication, adjustments, and inspections can significantly increase the lifespan of your garage door.

What should be included in maintenance:

• Lubrication of moving parts.
• Inspection of springs and cables: Check for signs of wear, fraying, or damage
• Alignment check: Ensure the door tracks are correctly aligned and adjusted
• Testing safety features: Verify that the photocell sensors and auto-reverse mechanism are working correctly
• Cleaning of tracks and weather stripping: Remove debris and dirt from the tracks and weather seals