Garage door springs are under tremendous tension and are critical for safe operation. When they start to fail, the warning signs are usually clear—if you know what to look for. Here are the five most important indicators that your garage door springs need professional replacement.
1. Door Won't Stay Open
If your garage door won't stay open when you manually lift it halfway, this is a clear sign of spring failure. Healthy springs should easily support the door's weight at any position. When springs weaken, the door becomes too heavy to stay in place without the opener's assistance.
2. Loud Bang or Snapping Sound
A loud bang from your garage is often the sound of a spring breaking. This usually happens when the door is in use, but can also occur when the garage is quiet. If you hear this sound, do not attempt to operate the door until a professional can inspect and replace the broken spring.
3. Door Opens Unevenly or Crooked
When one spring fails or weakens significantly, your garage door may lift unevenly, appearing crooked or tilted. This puts excessive strain on the opener and can cause additional damage to tracks, rollers, and the door itself.
4. Garage Door Opener Struggles or Makes Noise
If your garage door opener is working harder than usual—making grinding sounds, vibrating excessively, or struggling to lift the door—failing springs may be the culprit. The opener isn't designed to lift the full weight of the door without spring assistance.
5. Visible Gap in the Spring
For torsion springs (mounted above the door), a visible gap or separation in the coils indicates a complete failure. Extension springs (on the sides) may hang loosely when broken. If you see either of these signs, the spring needs immediate replacement.
⚠️ Safety Warning
Never attempt to replace garage door springs yourself. Springs are under extreme tension (400+ pounds) and can cause serious injury or death if handled improperly. Always contact a licensed professional for spring replacement.
Why Professional Replacement Matters
At Ez2Fix, we've seen too many DIY attempts that resulted in injury or extensive property damage. Our licensed technicians have the proper tools, training, and experience to safely replace your garage door springs. We also provide:
- High-quality springs rated for your door's specific weight and cycle count
- Complete safety inspection of your entire garage door system
- 10-year warranty on all parts and labor
- Same-day emergency service throughout Bergen County
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?
Most garage door springs are rated for 10,000 cycles (one cycle = door opening and closing). For typical residential use, this translates to 7-10 years. However, factors like climate, usage frequency, and maintenance can affect lifespan.
💡 Pro Tip
If you have two springs and one breaks, consider replacing both. Springs installed at the same time tend to fail around the same time, and having balanced springs ensures optimal door operation.