Top 5 Signs Your Garage Door Spring is About to Break
When it comes to garage door problems, few issues are more common—or more stressful—than a broken garage door spring. Springs do the heavy lifting every time you open or close your garage door, and when they’re worn out, the entire system can grind to a halt. A garage door spring failure isn’t just inconvenient; it can also be dangerous if left unchecked.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top five warning signs your garage door spring is about to break, what to look for, and why calling a professional is the safest move. Whether you have a torsion spring system or extension springs, the symptoms are often the same.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what to watch for—and when to schedule a garage door spring repair before a small issue becomes a major problem.
Why Garage Door Springs Matter
Your garage door might look heavy—and it is—but the springs are what make it possible for you (or your opener) to lift it with ease. Springs are tightly wound coils of steel that balance the weight of the door. Without them, even the strongest garage door opener can’t do the job.
There are two main types of garage door springs:
Torsion springs – mounted above the door, they twist to provide lifting force.
Extension springs – installed on the sides, stretching and contracting as the door moves.
Both types wear down over time. Most garage door springs last between 7–12 years depending on usage, climate, and maintenance. But they rarely fail without warning.
The Top 5 Signs Your Garage Door Spring is About to Break
1. Your Garage Door Feels Heavy or Hard to Lift
One of the first signs of a failing spring is that your garage door suddenly feels heavier than usual. If you try to lift the door manually and it resists, that’s because the spring isn’t providing the counterbalance it should.
With a healthy spring, a 400 pound garage door can feel like it only weighs 20 pounds.
With a failing spring, you’ll feel the full weight, and lifting becomes unsafe.
Why this matters: A heavy garage door can fall suddenly, posing a serious safety risk. If you notice this change, it’s time to call for garage door spring replacement.
2. Your Garage Door Opens Crooked or Jerky
Springs work in unison. When one starts to fail, the tension across the system becomes uneven. This can cause your garage door to:
Rise slower on one side.
Jerk as it moves up or down.
Strain the cables and rollers, leading to further damage.
Why this matters: A crooked or jerky door isn’t just annoying—it’s dangerous. A sudden imbalance can cause cables to snap or the door to come off track.
3. You Hear Loud Bangs in the Garage
A loud bang in the garage that sounds like something heavy falling could actually be your garage door spring snapping. Even if the spring hasn’t broken completely, you might hear sharp creaks, pops, or grinding noises as the steel coils stretch beyond their limit.
Why this matters: Springs store massive amounts of energy. When they break, that energy is released instantly, which is why DIY repairs are dangerous. If you hear a bang and your door no longer opens, chances are the spring has already failed.
4. Visible Gaps in the Spring Coil
This is the easiest sign to spot. Take a look at the torsion spring above your garage door. If you see a visible gap between the coils, that’s a clear indicator the spring has snapped. For extension springs, look for stretched-out coils or uneven spacing.
Why this matters: Once you see a gap, the spring is done. Attempting to use the door in this condition can damage the opener, cables, and tracks—or cause the door to crash down.
5. Your Garage Door Opener Struggles or Stops Working
Your garage door opener is designed to work with the springs, not against them. If your opener suddenly struggles, hums without moving the door, or stops working altogether, the springs may be the culprit.
Why this matters: Replacing the opener won’t fix the problem. Continuing to run the opener against a broken spring can burn out the motor, turning one repair into two.
Bonus Sign: The Door Won’t Stay Open on Its Own
If you lift the door halfway and it drifts back down instead of staying put, your springs are losing tension. This is a classic early warning sign that repair is needed before the spring breaks completely.
Can You Still Use a Garage Door with a Broken Spring?
Technically, yes—but it’s not safe. A garage door with a broken spring is unpredictable. It may slam shut without warning or refuse to open at all. Using it puts stress on the opener and risks injury to anyone nearby.
The best move? Stop using the door and schedule a professional garage door spring repair immediately.
Why You Shouldn’t Replace Garage Door Springs Yourself
You might be tempted to save money with a DIY repair, but garage door springs are one of the most dangerous components to work on. The steel is wound under extreme tension—one wrong move can cause serious injury.
Professional technicians have the tools, training, and replacement springs to get the job done safely. They’ll also inspect cables, rollers, and tracks to ensure your entire system is in top shape.
How Much Does Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost?
Most garage door spring replacements cost between $200–$400, depending on the type of spring, door size, and local labor rates. That’s a small price to pay compared to replacing a burnt-out opener or damaged door panels if you keep running the system with a failing spring.
How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Door Springs
Want to make your new springs last as long as possible? Here are a few simple maintenance tips:
Lubricate the springs every 3–4 months with a silicone-based garage door lubricant.
Schedule annual inspections to catch small issues before they become big ones.
Avoid excessive strain—don’t hang on the garage door or let kids play with it.
Replace both springs together if you have a two-spring system; if one is worn, the other isn’t far behind.
Final Thoughts
Your garage door is the largest moving part in your home, and its springs are the most important components keeping it safe and functional. By watching for the signs—heavy doors, jerky movement, loud noises, visible gaps, and struggling openers—you can catch problems early and avoid being trapped by a broken spring.
If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait until the spring snaps. Contact Dublin Door Company for fast, professional garage door spring repair and replacement. We offer same-day service, honest pricing, and guaranteed workmanship to keep your home secure and your garage door running smoothly.
