2024-01-15 5 min read
Your garage door springs are among the hardest-working components of your entire garage door system. They're responsible for counterbalancing the weight of the door, which can be anywhere from 150 to 400 pounds depending on the size and material. When these springs fail, your door becomes extremely difficult or impossible to operate, and attempting to use it can be dangerous.
There are two main types of garage door springs: torsion springs and extension springs. Torsion springs are mounted above the door opening and twist to provide lifting force. Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door and stretch to help lift the door. Both types have a limited lifespan, typically lasting 7-12 years or about 10,000 cycles (one cycle = one open and one close).
If your garage door has become noticeably heavier to lift manually, this is often the first sign of spring problems. When springs wear out, they lose their tension and can no longer effectively counterbalance the door's weight. Try disconnecting your automatic opener and lifting the door by hand. A properly balanced door should lift easily and stay in place when opened halfway.
For torsion springs, look for visible gaps in the coils. A healthy spring should have tightly wound coils with no visible separation. If you see a gap of one to two inches anywhere along the spring, it has broken and needs immediate replacement. Never attempt to operate a door with a broken spring.
When you lower your garage door manually, it should descend slowly and smoothly. If the door drops quickly or slams shut, your springs are likely weakening and can no longer control the door's descent. This is both a safety hazard and a sign that complete spring failure is imminent.
Listen for squeaking, grinding, or popping sounds when your door opens and closes. While some noise is normal, especially for older doors, new or intensifying sounds often indicate spring problems. The springs may be wearing unevenly or binding on the shaft.
If your garage door appears to move unevenly or tilts to one side during operation, this could indicate that one spring is weaker than the other. This puts extra stress on the stronger spring and the opener, potentially causing additional damage if not addressed.
If you observe any of these warning signs, we recommend calling a professional garage door technician immediately. Garage door springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury if handled improperly. A trained technician can safely assess the situation and perform any necessary repairs or replacements.
At Garage Door El Segundo, we offer same-day service for spring-related emergencies. Our technicians carry a full inventory of springs and can typically complete a replacement in under an hour. Call us at (424) 383-5744 for a free estimate.