Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken
1. Your Door Won’t Open (Or Feels Really Heavy)
The springs on your garage door do most of the heavy lifting. They balance the weight of the door so it’s easy to open and close. When one of these springs breaks, the opener is left to carry all that weight by itself, and most openers just aren’t strong enough for the job.
If your garage door doesn’t move much when you try to open it or feels extremely heavy, that’s a sure sign there’s a problem. Forcing the door open isn’t a good idea either—you could end up damaging the opener or other parts of the system.
2. You Hear a Loud Bang
This is one of the most obvious signs of a broken spring, and it can be a little startling. Imagine you’re sitting in your house, minding your own business, and suddenly you hear a loud BANG! That sound is the spring snapping under pressure. It’s loud enough to make you jump, and it’s a surefire sign that something’s gone wrong with your garage door system.
When you hear this sound, it’s best to check your garage door springs right away. Even if the door still seems to work, running it with a broken spring can cause other parts to wear out faster or even lead to more damage.
3. The Door Looks Crooked or Wobbly
When everything’s working as it should, your garage door moves smoothly and stays balanced. But if one of the springs is broken, you might notice the door leaning to one side or shaking as it moves. This happens because the springs are no longer distributing the door’s weight evenly.
A crooked or wobbly door isn’t just inconvenient—it can also be unsafe. The uneven weight can put extra stress on other parts of the door, leading to more damage over time. If you notice this issue, it’s time to call in a professional to take a look.
4. There’s a Gap in the Spring
Take a close look at your garage door’s springs. They should be tightly coiled and solid all the way through. If you spot a gap in the middle of a spring, it means the spring has snapped and is no longer doing its job.
A broken spring with a visible gap is a clear indicator that it needs to be replaced. This is one of the easiest signs to check for if you’re comfortable looking at your garage door system up close. Just remember to be careful—broken springs can still hold some tension and might be dangerous to touch.
5. Your Opener Sounds Like It’s Struggling
Your garage door opener is designed to work with the help of the springs. If a spring breaks, the opener has to work much harder to lift the door. You might hear unusual grinding or straining noises, or notice that the opener is moving more slowly than usual.
Pay attention to how your opener sounds when it’s running. If it seems like it’s working overtime, it’s probably because one or both of the springs are no longer helping to lift the door. This kind of strain can wear out the opener quickly, so it’s best to get the springs fixed as soon as possible.
Here’s a quick story from the field: A few weeks ago, I got a call from a homeowner inquiring about garage door repair in Boerne, TX. They had heard a loud bang in their garage but thought it wasn’t a big deal and ignored it. When I arrived, I discovered a completely broken spring and a garage door opener that was struggling from trying to lift the heavy door without the spring’s help. Thankfully, we were able to replace the spring and save the opener just in time. It’s a good reminder that addressing these issues quickly can prevent bigger and more expensive problems down the road.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Ignore the Signs
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait to get help. Call a professional garage door technician to inspect and repair the issue. Replacing a garage door spring isn’t a DIY job—it requires special tools and experience to handle safely.
Ignoring a broken spring can lead to bigger problems down the line. Not only can it damage your opener, but it can also make your door unsafe to use.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait to get help. Call a professional garage door technician to inspect and repair the issue. Replacing a spring isn’t a DIY job—it requires special tools and experience to handle safely.
Are you facing a broken spring? Stop thinking—it’s time for professional help! If you live in San Antonio or the surrounding area, call us now and get a free estimate.