Understanding Garage Door Springs
Your garage door springs are the unsung heroes of your home. They do the heavy lifting — literally. A standard two-car garage door weighs between 150 and 250 pounds, and the springs bear almost all of that weight every time the door opens and closes. Over time, these springs wear out, and when they fail, your garage door becomes inoperable or even dangerous.
At Nova Garage Door Repair Solutions, spring repair and replacement is one of our most common service calls. Here are the five telltale signs your springs are on their way out.
Sign 1: You Heard a Loud Bang from the Garage
This is the most dramatic sign — and the one homeowners remember vividly. When a torsion spring breaks, it releases an enormous amount of stored energy all at once, producing a sound that many people describe as a gunshot or an explosion. If you heard a loud bang coming from your garage and your door is now stuck, a broken spring is almost certainly the cause.
Look at the spring assembly above your door. A broken torsion spring will have a visible gap in the coil — typically 2-3 inches wide. Do not attempt to open the door. A door with a broken spring is extremely heavy and can cause injury.
Sign 2: The Door Feels Incredibly Heavy
Try this test: with the door closed, pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the opener. Now try to lift the door by hand. A properly balanced garage door with healthy springs should lift relatively easily — you should be able to raise it with one hand.
If the door feels like it weighs a ton, your springs have lost tension or are partially broken. This means your opener motor is working overtime to compensate, which will shorten its lifespan significantly.
Sign 3: The Door Opens Unevenly or Jerks
If your door rises crooked — one side higher than the other — or moves in jerky, stuttering motions instead of smoothly, the springs may be wearing unevenly. On doors with two extension springs (one on each side), one spring failing before the other causes the door to tilt.
Uneven operation also puts enormous stress on your tracks and rollers, potentially causing secondary damage that adds to your repair bill. Address spring issues promptly to avoid cascading problems.
Sign 4: Visible Wear, Rust, or Stretching
Inspect your springs visually. Healthy springs have tight, uniform coils with no gaps. Warning signs include:
- Rust: Corroded springs are weakened springs. Rust accelerates fatigue and makes failure more likely.
- Stretched coils: If the coils look wider apart than they used to, the spring is losing tension.
- Visible cracks or deformation: Any visible damage means replacement is imminent.
Regular lubrication with a silicone-based spray helps prevent rust and extends spring life, but it cannot reverse damage that has already occurred.
Sign 5: The Door Will Not Stay Open
A properly balanced garage door should stay in place when you stop it halfway open. If your door slowly drifts closed or crashes down when you release it, the springs can no longer support the door weight. This is a serious safety hazard, especially if you have children or pets who might be near the door. Homeowners in Los Angeles have also found great results with learn more.
Types of Garage Door Springs
Torsion Springs
Mounted horizontally above the door opening, torsion springs twist to store energy. They are the most common type on modern residential doors and are rated by cycle life — typically 10,000 to 25,000 cycles (one cycle = one open + one close).
Extension Springs
Mounted along the horizontal tracks on each side of the door, extension springs stretch to store energy. They are common on older homes and lighter doors. They should always have safety cables running through them to prevent a broken spring from becoming a projectile.
Why You Should Never Replace Springs Yourself
Garage door springs are under extreme tension. A torsion spring can store enough energy to cause severe injury or death if it snaps during handling. Professional technicians have the tools, training, and experience to replace springs safely. This is not a DIY project.
How Often Do Springs Need Replacement?
Standard springs last 7-12 years with average use (2-4 cycles per day). High-cycle springs can last 15-20 years. If your springs are approaching the 10-year mark, consider proactive replacement before they fail at an inconvenient time.
Get a Free Estimate
If you are experiencing any of these signs, call Nova Garage Door Repair Solutions at (833) 289-0732 for a free estimate. Our licensed technicians carry high-cycle rated springs on their trucks for same-day replacement. We service all major brands and back every repair with a warranty on parts and labor.