A broken garage door spring is one of the most common reasons a garage door suddenly stops working. In many cases, a homeowner will go to open the garage door and hear a loud pop, notice that the door feels extremely heavy, or find that the opener runs but the door will not move.

Garage door springs do an important job. They counterbalance the weight of the garage door and allow the door to open and close smoothly. When a spring breaks or loses its proper tension, the entire garage door system can become difficult or unsafe to operate.

 

What Does a Garage Door Spring Do?

 

Garage doors are heavy, and the springs are designed to offset much of that weight. This allows the garage door opener and other components to operate without having to lift the full weight of the door.

 

Most residential garage doors use one of two common spring systems:

• Torsion springs – Located above the garage door and mounted on a shaft. These are very common on residential garage doors.

• Extension springs – Typically located along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door.

When a spring is working properly, it helps balance the door throughout its range of motion. When it breaks, the door can become extremely heavy and difficult to lift.

 

Signs of a Broken Garage Door Spring

A broken spring is not always immediately obvious, but there are several common warning signs.

 

1. The Garage Door Won't Open

One of the most common symptoms is a garage door that will not open, even though the opener appears to be working. You may hear the motor running while the door remains on the ground.

 

2. The Door Is Extremely Heavy

If you disconnect the garage door opener and try to manually lift the door, a properly balanced door should be relatively manageable. A door with a broken spring can feel extremely heavy.

Do not attempt to force the door open if it is unusually heavy.

 

3. You Hear a Loud Bang

A torsion spring can release a significant amount of energy when it breaks. Homeowners sometimes describe hearing a loud bang from the garage before discovering that the spring has broken.

 

4. You Can See a Gap in the Spring

With a torsion spring, a visible separation or gap in the coils is a common indication that the spring has broken.

 

5. The Garage Door Opens Unevenly

If one side of the door appears to move differently from the other, or the door becomes crooked when opening, there may be a problem with the spring system, cables, drums, or another component.

 

Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?

Garage door springs are wear-and-tear components. Every time the garage door opens or closes, the springs go through a cycle.

Over time, the metal can fatigue and eventually break.

The lifespan of a spring depends on several factors, including the spring's cycle rating, the weight of the door, how frequently the door is used, and the overall condition of the garage door system.

A spring that has reached the end of its service life can break without much warning.

 

Can You Still Use Your Garage Door With a Broken Spring?

It is generally best to leave the garage door closed and avoid operating it until the spring system has been inspected.

The garage door opener is designed to move a properly balanced door. Without the assistance of the spring, the opener may be forced to lift much more weight than it was designed to handle.

Trying to manually lift a heavy garage door can also create a risk of injury or damage to the door and its components.

If your garage door suddenly will not open, it is a good idea to have the problem diagnosed before continuing to operate it.

 

Should You Replace One Spring or Both?

The answer depends on the garage door's spring configuration and the condition of the existing components.

Some garage doors use a single torsion spring, while others use two or more springs. When multiple springs are installed, it is important to consider the age and condition of the remaining spring or springs.

If one spring has failed and the others are significantly worn, replacing only the broken spring may result in another failure later.

A professional garage door technician can inspect the system and explain the appropriate repair options for your particular door.

 

Why Proper Spring Sizing Matters

Garage door springs are not one-size-fits-all.

The correct spring is determined by factors such as the weight of the garage door, spring dimensions, and the specific configuration of the door.

Installing an incorrectly sized spring can cause the door to be improperly balanced and may place additional stress on the opener and other garage door components.

For that reason, spring replacement should be performed using the correct replacement spring and specifications for the door.

 

Is Garage Door Spring Replacement a DIY Job?

Garage door springs are under significant tension, particularly torsion springs. Improperly removing, installing, or adjusting a spring can result in serious injury or damage to the garage door.

Because of the forces involved, spring replacement is generally a job best handled by an experienced garage door professional with the proper tools and knowledge.

A professional can also inspect the rest of the system while replacing the spring, including the cables, drums, rollers, hinges, bearings, tracks, and opener.

 

How Long Does a Garage Door Spring Replacement Take?

The amount of time required depends on the type of spring system, the garage door configuration, and whether other components need attention. Typically a spring change takes up to an hour or more depending on the conditions of the spring line components.

For a straightforward residential spring replacement, the repair can often be completed during a single service visit. However, a proper inspection is important to make sure the replacement spring is correctly matched to the door and that there are no additional problems contributing to the failure.

 

What Should You Do If Your Garage Door Spring Breaks?

If your garage door spring breaks, avoid repeatedly trying to operate the door with the opener.

Instead:

1. Leave the door in a safe position.

2. Keep people and pets away from the garage door.

3. Avoid attempting to remove or adjust the spring yourself.

4. Contact a qualified garage door technician for an inspection.

5. Have the spring system and other related components checked before putting the door back into regular use.

 

Garage Door Spring Replacement in Central Oregon

A broken garage door spring can happen unexpectedly, but getting the problem diagnosed does not have to be complicated.

High Desert Garage Solutions provides garage door repair and broken spring replacement services throughout Central Oregon, including Bend, Redmond, Madras, Prineville, and surrounding areas.

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