Garage door springs are one of the most important—and most dangerous—components of your entire garage door system. Whether you have torsion springs above the door or extension springs along the tracks, these tightly wound metal coils do the heavy lifting every time you open and close your garage door. When they begin to wear out or break, the entire system becomes unreliable, unsafe, and potentially costly to repair.
Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook early signs of spring problems until the situation becomes critical. In this detailed guide, we’ll break down the most common warning signs that your garage door springs need professional repair, why you should never attempt spring repair yourself, and what you can expect during the service process.
1. Your Garage Door Feels Heavy or Hard to Lift
One of the first and most noticeable signs of spring trouble is a door that feels unusually heavy. Garage door springs are designed to counterbalance the weight of the door. When they weaken or fail, the opener—and you—must work much harder.
Signs of a heavy door include:
- The door feels too heavy when lifted manually
- The opener struggles, strains, or stops halfway
- You hear the opener motor working harder than usual
A typical garage door weighs between 150 and 300 pounds. Without properly functioning springs, that entire weight shifts to the opener, which was never designed to lift the door on its own.
2. The Door Opens Only a Few Inches and Stops
Garage door openers are equipped with safety systems that detect when something is wrong. If the springs are broken or extremely weak, the opener may stop the door from opening more than a few inches to prevent further damage.
Common symptoms:
- Door rises 4–6 inches, then stops
- You hear the opener hum but the door doesn’t move
- The opener’s light flashes, indicating a force issue
This is a built-in safety measure. Your garage door opener knows something is wrong—even before you do.
3. You Notice a Loud Bang From the Garage
If you heard a loud bang—like a gunshot or explosion—coming from your garage, there’s a good chance a spring has snapped. When a torsion or extension spring breaks, the tension releases instantly, creating a very loud sound.
After a spring breaks, you may notice:
- A gap in the torsion spring
- A loose or dangling extension spring
- The door won’t open at all
If you hear a bang and your garage door stops working, stop using it immediately. Attempting to open a door with a broken spring is extremely dangerous.
4. The Door Moves Crooked or Jerky
Garage doors should move smoothly up and down the tracks. If your door becomes crooked, tilts to one side, or moves in a jerky manner, your springs may be failing—especially if you have extension springs.
Causes include:
- Uneven tension in extension springs
- A damaged or stretched torsion spring
- A spring pulling harder on one side
This uneven movement can cause the rollers to jump off track or the opener to wear prematurely. A crooked garage door is a major safety issue and requires immediate professional attention.
5. The Door Slams Shut or Drops Suddenly
Garage door springs help control the speed of the door as it opens and closes. When they begin to fail, they lose this ability, causing the door to close too quickly or even slam shut.
Warning signs:
- Door falls faster than usual
- Door drops a few inches when you release it
- You hear an unusual “thud” when closing
This behavior is extremely dangerous. A slamming garage door can injure anyone underneath it and damage the door itself.
6. Visible Wear on the Spring
Garage door springs don’t last forever. Most are rated for 10,000 to 20,000 cycles—one cycle being a single open and close. If you inspect your springs and see signs of wear, it’s time to call a professional.
Signs of visible wear include:
- Rust or corrosion
- Gaps or stretching in the coil
- Loose winding
- Frayed cables (for extension spring systems)
Never touch a worn spring—they can snap unexpectedly.
7. The Garage Door Opener Seems to Strain
If your garage door opener seems louder, slower, or weaker than usual, it may not be the opener’s fault. A worn spring causes the opener to work overtime.
Symptoms of opener strain:
- Grinding noises
- Sluggish lifting
- Overheating or shutting down
- Intermittent operation
If you replace the opener without addressing the real issue—the springs—you’ll end up burning out the new opener as well.
8. The Door Won’t Stay Open When Lifted Manually
A properly balanced garage door should stay in place when lifted halfway. If it falls or refuses to stay in the open position, the springs are no longer providing sufficient tension.
Balance test:
- Disconnect the opener using the emergency release cord.
- Lift the door halfway.
- Let go carefully.
If the door falls, the springs are worn and need professional replacement.
9. You Notice a Gap in Your Torsion Spring
Torsion springs sit above the door and help twist the door open. When they break, they split into two distinct parts, creating a noticeable gap.
If you see a gap:
- The spring is completely broken
- The door will not operate properly
- You must avoid using the door
A broken torsion spring is a clear and immediate sign you need professional garage door spring repair.
Why You Should Never Attempt DIY Spring Repair
Garage door springs are under enormous tension. Attempting to repair or replace them yourself can result in:
- Serious injury
- Damage to your garage door
- Damage to your opener
- Incorrect installation that leads to future failures
Professional technicians have the tools, experience, and training to safely work with springs. This is a job that should never be done without proper expertise.
How a Professional Spring Repair Works
When you schedule spring repair, a trained technician will:
- Inspect the entire door system
- Identify worn or broken springs
- Choose the correct spring size for your door
- Replace the springs safely
- Adjust balance and tension
- Lubricate moving parts
- Test the door for smooth operation
Quality companies often replace both springs at the same time to prevent uneven wear.
Conclusion
Garage door springs don’t last forever. If you notice:
- Heavy lifting
- Strange noises
- Slamming doors
- Crooked operation
- Gaps in the spring
- Opener strain
It’s time to call a professional.
Fixing spring problems early prevents expensive damage to your opener, your door, and your safety. With regular maintenance and prompt repair, your garage door will continue working smoothly for years to come.