6 min read Garage Door Company Thornton
Your garage door springs are among the most critical components of your entire garage door system. These tightly wound metal coils bear the full weight of your garage door, which can weigh anywhere from 150 to over 400 pounds depending on the size and material. When springs fail, your garage door becomes essentially unusable, leaving your vehicle trapped or your home unsecured. Understanding the warning signs of failing springs can help you avoid this frustrating and potentially dangerous situation.
One of the first signs that your garage door springs are losing their tension is when the door feels significantly heavier than normal. When springs are working properly, they counterbalance the weight of the door, making it easy to lift manually. If you try to lift your door and it feels like you're lifting the full weight, this is a clear indication that your springs have weakened or broken.
To test this, disconnect your automatic opener and try to lift the door manually about halfway. A properly balanced door should stay in place when released. If it falls rapidly or requires significant effort to lift, your springs need attention.
Take a moment to visually inspect your garage door springs. For torsion springs (located above the door), look for any visible gaps in the coils. A broken torsion spring will have a clear separation in the coils, usually near the center. For extension springs (located on either side of the door tracks), look for stretched or elongated coils.
If you notice any physical damage, gaps, or signs of wear, it's crucial to call a professional immediately. Attempting to repair or replace garage door springs yourself can result in serious injury due to the extreme tension these springs hold.
Did you hear a loud bang from your garage that sounded like a gunshot or firework? This is often the sound of a garage door spring breaking. The sudden release of tension creates a startling noise that many homeowners describe as one of the loudest sounds they've ever heard from inside their home.
If you heard this sound and your garage door suddenly won't open, a broken spring is almost certainly the culprit. Don't attempt to operate the door until a professional has inspected and repaired the system.
When one spring weakens or breaks while the other remains functional, your garage door will often open crookedly or unevenly. You might notice one side rising faster than the other, or the door may appear tilted when partially open. This asymmetrical operation puts additional stress on your opener, tracks, and remaining spring, potentially causing further damage.
Operating a door in this condition can damage the tracks and put excessive strain on the automatic opener motor. If you notice uneven operation, stop using the door and call for professional service.
A properly functioning garage door with healthy springs should stay open at any position along the track. If your door slowly creeps down when you try to leave it partially open, or slams shut unexpectedly, your springs have lost their ability to properly counterbalance the door's weight.
This condition is particularly dangerous, as a falling door can cause injury or damage to vehicles and property. Never walk under a door that won't stay open on its own.
Garage door springs are under extreme tension.torsion springs can exert forces of several hundred pounds. Without proper tools, training, and safety equipment, attempting spring repair or replacement can result in severe injury or death. Our technicians at Garage Door Company Thornton are trained and equipped to safely handle spring repairs.
We carry a full inventory of springs to match any door and typically complete spring replacements in about an hour. All our spring repairs come with our risk-free guarantee. If you've noticed any of these warning signs, don't wait until you're stranded.call us today at 720-706-2893 for fast, professional service.