Garage door springs do the heavy lifting—literally. They’re in charge of counterbalancing the weight of your garage door so it opens and closes easily. If a spring breaks, however, it can leave you stranded in your driveway or even create a serious safety hazard.
Knowing how to avoid and fix broken springs will save you time, money, and headaches. Here’s what every homeowner ought to know.
Why Garage Door Springs Break?
Garage door springs are resilient, but they’re not immune to breaking. Most springs have a 10,000-cycle rating—a cycle being one full open and close. Based on how much you use your garage, that lifespan can disappear faster than you anticipate.
Most common reasons for spring failure:
- Wear and tear: Springs naturally depreciate with time, particularly with repeated usage.
- Rust and corrosion: Rusting caused by moisture causes weakening of coils and friction buildup.
- Lack of maintenance: Springs work harder when they are not lubricated, shortening their lifespan.
- Improper installation or imbalance: Springs fail to wear evenly if they are improperly installed or imbalanced.
Garage Door Spring Failure: Be Aware of the Warning Signs
Don’t wait until it snaps—look out for warning signs such as:
- A door that opens unevenly or jerkily
- An uncharacteristic loud bang in the garage (a spring could have just broken)
- The door is noticeably heavier
- The opener has trouble or is unable to lift the door
- Gaps in the spring coils
If you see any of these, discontinue use of the door and call a professional immediately. Using a door with a broken spring can be hazardous and may ruin other parts.
Tips on Preventing Broken Springs
You can’t prevent wear and tear completely, but proper maintenance goes a long way. Here’s how you can prolong the life of your garage door springs:
- Regular Lubrication: Use a garage door lubricant (not WD-40) on the torsion springs every 3–4 months. This keeps it from wearing out and rusting.
- Balance and Test the Door: Unplug the opener and open the door by hand halfway. If it remains in position, the springs are balanced correctly. If it drops or shoots up, you probably have a spring problem.
- Schedule Annual Inspections: A professional can inspect and tune your system to catch problems early. This includes checking tension, wear, and alignment.
This article was written by a professional at 1 Stop Garage Doors. We proudly serve homeowners and businesses with top-quality garage door company in Aurora IL. We install premium doors and openers from trusted brands, ensuring reliability and customer satisfaction. Our expert team provides cost-effective solutions, arriving with fully stocked trucks to handle repairs on the spot, including torsion spring replacements, drum and roller fixes, and general maintenance to keep your garage door functioning smoothly.