5 Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Failing

The springs above your garage door do almost all the heavy lifting. A standard door weighs well over 100 pounds, and it is the spring — not the opener motor — that counterbalances that weight so the door glides up and down. When a spring wears out, you will usually get warning signs before it snaps completely.

What to watch for

• A loud bang from the garage. A snapping torsion spring makes a sharp, startling noise, often when no one is even using the door.
• The door feels suddenly heavy or the opener strains, grinds, or gives up halfway.
• The door opens a few inches and stops, then refuses to go further.
• A visible gap in the coiled spring above the door, where the metal has separated.
• Jerky, crooked, or lopsided movement as the door travels.

Why springs wear out

Springs are rated in cycles — one open and one close is a cycle. A typical spring lasts around 10,000 cycles, which for a busy household can mean just seven to nine years. Cold weather, rust, and skipped lubrication all shorten that lifespan.

This is not a DIY fix

Torsion springs are wound under enormous tension. A spring that lets go while you are adjusting it can cause serious injury, and the winding bars have to be handled with real technique. This is the one garage-door repair almost every professional will tell you to leave alone. If you suspect a failing spring, stop using the door and bring in a trained technician who can replace both springs, check the cables, and rebalance the door safely. Homeowners in the Houston area can start with the local crew we point people to for garage door service across the Houston metro, who handle spring replacement as routine work.

A quick balance test

With the door closed and the opener disconnected by its release cord, lift the door halfway by hand. A properly balanced door stays put. If it slams down or flies up, the spring tension is off and it is time to call someone.