When your garage door isn’t working properly, it’s more than just an inconvenience—it can also be a safety hazard. One of the most common culprits behind garage door issues? Worn-out or broken springs. Knowing when you need a garage door spring replacement and recognizing the warning signs early can save you from costly repairs and potential accidents.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about your garage door springs: what they are, how they work, and why they matter. We’ll also share key signs that your garage door springs need replacement, what to do next, and how you can take care of your springs to get the most out of them.
Whether you’re casually getting up to speed on maintenance tips or you’re frantically Googling after hearing a loud bang from your garage, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in!
What Are Garage Door Springs, And Why Do They Matter?
Think of your springs as the muscle behind your garage door. Similar to how muscles move our bodies by contracting and relaxing, garage door springs wind and unwind to provide force that counteracts gravity and lifts the door. And considering most garage doors weigh a few hundred pounds, these springs are under a considerable amount of tension! This can make them dangerous to work on, and is why we recommend contacting a garage door expert when you need to repair or replace your springs.
The Two Types of Garage Door Springs
There are two primary types of springs, each designed for a specific purpose:
- Torsion Springs: These are the most common and are mounted horizontally above the door. They work by winding and unwinding as the door opens and closes. Torsion springs are durable and typically last longer than extension springs, making them a popular choice for modern garage doors.
- Extension Springs: These are usually installed on either side of the door and stretch or extend when the door is in operation. While they’re less expensive than torsion springs, they tend to wear out faster and are often found on older garage doors.
Why Garage Door Springs Matter
Garage door springs are crucial for a few reasons:
- They provide balance. When working properly, the tension in the springs counterbalances the weight of the door, allowing it to open and close easily.
- They protect your opener. A well-balanced door supported by functional springs reduces strain on the opener’s motor, prolonging its lifespan.
- They ensure smooth operation. Good springs allow the door to glide up and down effortlessly, avoiding jerky movements or excessive noise.
- They keep you safe. Springs play a key role in preventing the door from slamming shut unexpectedly, which could damage your property or cause injury.
This is why it’s so important to keep your springs in good working order. They’re critical to the safety and longevity of your garage door.
10 Signs Your Garage Door Springs Need Replacing
Remember all that tension your garage door springs are under? It doesn’t just make them dangerous to work on; it also causes them to wear down over time. And that strain can lead to failure if you don’t maintain your garage door springs properly.
Here are the most common signs that your garage door springs need to be replaced:
- The garage door won’t open or close properly. Does your door not open all the way, get stuck halfway, or refuse to close completely? It’s possible the springs may not be providing enough tension to lift or lower the door. This is often one of the first signs of trouble.
- There are visible gaps in the spring. Take a close look at your torsion springs. If you notice a gap in the coil, this indicates the spring has snapped. A broken spring isn’t capable of supporting the door’s weight and needs to be replaced right away.
- You heard a loud bang or snap. A sudden, loud noise in your garage—like a gunshot or a firecracker—often signals that a spring has broken. Since garage door springs are under all that tension, they can release energy violently when they snap.
- The door feels heavy. Like we said before, a spring’s job is to counterbalance the weight of your garage door. If you find it difficult to lift your garage door manually or it feels unusually heavy, the springs may no longer be functioning effectively.
- There are loose or hanging cables. The cables attached to your garage door rely on the springs for proper tension. If the springs break, the cables may go slack, hang loose, or even completely detach from the door.
- You notice uneven door movement. Does your garage door look lopsided or tilt to one side when opening or closing? This often means that one spring has failed while the other is still functioning. This imbalance puts additional stress on your opener and remaining spring.
- Your door is doing the herky-jerky. If your springs are in bad shape, they can cause the door to move in an uneven, jerky motion. This not only affects the door’s performance but can also lead to further wear on the opener.
- There are signs of rust on the springs. Over time, exposure to moisture can cause springs to rust, which weakens the metal and shortens their lifespan.
- The door falls quickly when closing. Your garage door should close smoothly and gently. If it slams shut or drops quickly, that’s a clear sign that the springs aren’t providing enough resistance. This is a serious safety concern and should be addressed by a professional immediately.
- The opener works harder than usual. If your automatic opener is straining to lift the door, makes weird noises, or stops working altogether, it’s likely compensating for failing springs. Since openers aren’t designed to handle the door’s full weight, this can lead to motor burnout or other damage.
If you notice any of these warning signs, do not ignore them. Doing so can lead to bigger problems, including damage to other parts of your garage door system, more expensive repairs down the road, and most importantly, safety risks for you and your loved ones. To avoid these issues, you need to take action right away.
What to Do When Your Garage Door Springs Need Replacing
There are plenty of home repair projects where you can roll up your sleeves, put in some DIY work, and save some money. This is not one of those projects! We can’t stress this enough. As we explained above, the tension in your garage door springs make them dangerous to work on. Sudden failure or snapping of the spring could lead to serious injury.
If you notice any of the signs listed above, it’s best to call a professional. At Central Oregon Garage Door, our dedicated service team members can help you assess any issues with your garage door springs and get them repaired or replaced safely and effectively.
While you shouldn’t attempt to replace your garage door springs yourself, you can take some initiative and follow these simple tips to maintain them and keep them in good condition so they last longer:
- Apply a silicone-based lubricant on the springs every three months.
- Schedule an annual garage door inspection so a professional can spot early signs of wear before they become a problem.
- Only open and close the door as needed to reduce wear.
- Address minor issues promptly so they don’t grow into big headaches later.
Reach Out to Us With Your Questions
If you still have questions about your garage door springs after reading this blog post, don’t hesitate to shoot us an email or give us a call. We’re always happy to talk with you about any garage door issues or projects you might have in mind.
