5 Garage Door Spring Warning Signs
Garage door springs do a lot of heavy lifting every time your garage door opens and closes. Over time, springs can wear out, weaken, and eventually break. Knowing the warning signs can help you address a problem before you’re stuck with a garage door that won’t open.
At Concore Garage Doors, we repair and replace garage door springs for homeowners throughout London, Ontario. Here are five common signs that your garage door spring may be reaching the end of its life.
Table of Contents
1. Your Garage Door Is Getting Harder to Open
2. Your Garage Door Opens Unevenly
3. You Hear a Loud Bang From the Garage
4. You Can See a Gap in the Spring
5. Your Garage Door Won’t Stay Open
6. How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?
7. Can You Prevent a Garage Door Spring From Breaking?
8. What Should You Do If Your Garage Door Spring Breaks?
9. Garage Door Spring Repair in London, Ontario
1. Your Garage Door Is Getting Harder to Open
One of the most common signs of a weakening garage door spring is that the door becomes noticeably heavier or harder to lift.
A properly balanced garage door should be relatively easy to lift manually when the opener is disconnected. If your door suddenly feels extremely heavy, the spring may no longer be providing the necessary lifting force.
Don’t continue forcing the door open if it feels unusually heavy. A failing spring can place additional strain on your garage door opener and other components.
2. Your Garage Door Opens Unevenly
Does one side of your garage door appear to rise faster than the other?
An uneven or crooked garage door can indicate a problem with the springs, cables, or other hardware.
If the door is sitting at an angle or appears unbalanced while opening, it’s best to have it inspected rather than continuing to operate it
3. You Hear a Loud Bang From the Garage
Garage door springs are under significant tension. When one breaks, it can produce a loud bang or popping sound that may sound like something has fallen inside your garage.
If you hear a loud bang and your garage door suddenly stops working, check the springs visually—but do not attempt to repair or remove them yourself.
Garage door springs can store a substantial amount of energy and should be handled by a trained professional.
4. You Can See a Gap in the Spring
If you have a torsion spring above your garage door, look at it from a safe distance.
A healthy spring generally appears continuous. If you see a visible gap between coils, the spring may be broken.
You may also notice that the spring appears stretched or damaged.
If you see a broken spring, don’t try to reconnect it yourself. Contact a professional garage door technician for inspection and replacement.
5. Your Garage Door Won’t Stay Open
A properly functioning garage door should remain balanced when opened manually.
If the door:
- falls toward the floor,
- rises unexpectedly,
- feels extremely heavy, or
- won’t remain open,
there could be a problem with the spring system.
This is an important warning sign because an improperly balanced door can become a safety hazard and can put additional stress on the garage door opener.
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?
Garage door springs don’t last forever. Their lifespan depends on factors such as:
- How often the door is used
- The type and quality of the spring
- The weight of the garage door
- Proper maintenance
- Environmental conditions
Many residential garage door springs are rated for a certain number of cycles, with one cycle being one complete opening and closing of the door.
If your garage door is used several times every day, the springs may wear out sooner than a door that is only opened occasionally.
Can You Prevent a Garage Door Spring From Breaking?
You can’t prevent a spring from eventually wearing out, but regular garage door maintenance can help identify problems before they become bigger issues.
A professional inspection can identify:
- Worn springs
- Damaged cables
- Worn rollers
- Loose hardware
- Track problems
- Door balance issues
If a spring is showing signs of wear, replacing it before it breaks may help prevent an unexpected garage door failure.
What Should You Do If Your Garage Door Spring Breaks?
Don’t attempt to replace the spring yourself.
Garage door springs are under high tension and can cause serious injury if handled incorrectly.
Instead:
- Stop operating the garage door.
- Keep children and pets away from the area.
- Don’t attempt to remove or adjust the spring.
- Contact a professional garage door repair company.
If your garage door is stuck closed, don’t try to force it open with the opener.
Garage Door Spring Repair in London, Ontario
If you’ve noticed any of these 5 garage door spring warning signs, Concore Garage Doors can inspect your garage door and determine whether the spring needs adjustment, repair, or replacement.
We provide professional garage door spring repair and replacement in London, Ontario, along with repairs for cables, rollers, tracks, openers, panels, and other garage door components.
If you’re hearing unusual noises or your garage door suddenly feels heavier than normal, it’s better to have the problem checked before the spring fails completely.
Need garage door spring repair in London, Ontario? Contact Concore Garage Doors today.
- Opener problems
If a spring is showing signs of wear, replacing it before it breaks may help prevent an unexpected garage door failure.
Related Garage Door Services
Concore Garage Doors provides complete garage door solutions throughout London Ontario, including:
Concore Garage Doors provides professional garage door spring replacement, repair, installation, and maintenance services throughout London Ontario. Contact us today for reliable garage door solutions from experienced local technicians.