The most common problem with garage doors is a broken spring. As a garage door repair expert, I see this issue more than any other. Springs do the heavy lifting every time your door opens and closes. When a spring breaks, the door can stop working right away. It may not open at all, or it may feel very heavy if you try to lift it by hand.
If you need Garage Door Spring Repair, we can help! For more info, keep reading…
Garage door springs wear out over time. They do not last forever, even if you take good care of your door.
Why Garage Door Springs Break So Often
Your garage door may weigh 150 to 300 pounds or more. The springs help balance that weight. Without springs, the opener cannot lift the door safely.
Most homes have one of these spring types:
- Torsion springs: These sit above the door on a metal bar.
- Extension springs: These stretch along the sides of the door tracks.
Both types can break after years of use. Springs are rated for a certain number of cycles. One cycle means the door opens once and closes once. Many standard garage door springs last about 10,000 cycles, but we highly recommend investing in higher cycle springs so that they last longer. If you open and close your garage door four times a day, that can wear out the springs in about seven years.
Cold weather can also make springs snap faster. Rust can weaken the metal too.
Signs You Have a Broken Garage Door Spring
A broken spring often shows clear signs. Watch for these problems:
- The garage door will not open, even though the opener runs
- The door opens a few inches and then stops
- The door closes too fast or slams down
- You hear a loud bang in the garage
- The door feels very heavy when you lift it
- One side of the door looks higher than the other
If you have extension springs, you may see a hanging cable or a loose spring on one side.
Why You Should Not Try to Fix Garage Door Springs Yourself
Garage door springs store a lot of tension. That tension helps lift the door, but it can also cause serious injury if handled the wrong way. We do not recommend DIY spring repair. You can lose control of the spring, tools can slip, or the door can fall.
Our trained garage door repair technicians use the right tools and know how to set the spring tension safely.
Other Common Garage Door Problems
Broken springs are the top issue, but other problems happen often too.
Worn rollers
Rollers help the door move smoothly. When they wear out, the door may shake, stick, or make loud noises.
Misaligned tracks
Tracks can bend from bumps or loose bolts. If the track shifts, the door may rub, jam, or come off track.
Sensor trouble
Most modern garage doors have safety sensors near the floor. If something blocks them or they get dirty, the door may not close.
Remote or keypad failure
Dead batteries, weak signals, or programming issues can stop the remote from working.
Opener problems
The opener can fail from worn gears, bad wiring, or a burned-out motor. Sometimes the opener works, but the door still will not move because the springs are broken.
How to Prevent Garage Door Problems
You can reduce problems with simple care:
- Lubricate rollers, hinges, and springs twice a year
- Keep tracks clean and free of debris
- Replace worn weather seals
- Test the door balance once a month
- Schedule a tune-up once a year
The most common garage door problem is a broken spring. Springs wear out from daily use and can stop your door without warning. If you think your spring broke, stop using the door and call a garage door repair expert. A fast repair keeps your door safe and working the right way.