7 Warning Signs Your Garage Door Springs Need Replacement
6 min read
Garage door springs are the unsung heroes of your garage door system, counterbalancing the weight of the door to make it easy to open and close. These springs are under tremendous tension and have a limited lifespan.typically 10,000 cycles or about 7-10 years.
1. The Door Won't Open or Opens Unevenly
If your garage door struggles to open or rises crookedly, one or both springs may be failing. An uneven door puts extra strain on the opener and can cause further damage.
2. Loud Bang from the Garage
A broken spring often announces itself with a loud bang.like a gunshot or firework. This is the sound of the spring unwinding rapidly when it breaks. If you hear this, do not try to operate the door.
3. Visible Gap in the Spring
A clear sign of a broken torsion spring is a visible gap in the coils. The spring should be a continuous coil; any separation means it's broken and needs immediate replacement.
4. Door Falls Quickly When Closing
Healthy springs slow the door's descent. If your door slams down quickly, the springs aren't providing proper counterbalance. This is a safety hazard and should be addressed immediately.
5. The Door Is Heavy to Lift Manually
When disconnected from the opener, your garage door should lift easily with one hand. If it feels extremely heavy (a standard door weighs 150-400 lbs), the springs aren't carrying their share of the load.
6. Visible Wear or Rust
Springs in Florida's humid climate are prone to rust. Surface rust weakens the metal and accelerates failure. If you see rust or corrosion on your springs, replacement may be imminent.
7. Age of Your Springs
If your garage door is over 7 years old and has the original springs, consider proactive replacement. It's safer and often cheaper than waiting for a failure.
Never DIY Spring Replacement
We cannot stress this enough: garage door spring replacement is extremely dangerous. The springs are under hundreds of pounds of tension and can cause serious injury or death if handled improperly. Always call a professional.
At Garage Door Auburndale, our technicians are trained and equipped to safely replace garage door springs. We offer same-day service and stand behind our work with a satisfaction guarantee. Call us at 863-400-2716.