5 Signs Your Garage Door Spring is About to Break

Your garage door is the largest moving object in your home, and the powerhouse behind its smooth operation is a set of high-tension springs. These springs are responsible for counterbalancing hundreds of pounds of weight, allowing the door to open and close with ease. However, they have a limited lifespan and will eventually fail. A breaking spring isn't just an inconvenience—it can be a serious safety hazard. Recognizing the warning signs early can help you prevent accidents and costly emergency repairs. Here are the five key indicators that your garage door spring is on its last legs.

You Hear a Loud Bang from the Garage

This is often the most dramatic and unmistakable sign of a spring failure. Homeowners describe the sound as a loud "bang," "pop," or even something like a gunshot. This alarming noise is the sound of the spring, which is wound under immense tension, suddenly snapping and releasing all its stored energy. If you hear this, it's a clear signal that at least one spring has broken. Do not attempt to operate the door with the automatic opener, as this can damage the opener motor and the door itself.

The Garage Door Feels Extremely Heavy

The primary job of the springs is to make the garage door feel lightweight. A properly balanced door can be lifted manually with just one hand after pulling the red emergency release cord. If you disengage the opener and find that the door is incredibly heavy or impossible to lift, it's a strong indication that the springs are no longer doing their job. They have lost their tension and are not providing the necessary counterforce to lift the door's weight.

The Door Opens Crooked or Jerkily

Most residential garage doors operate with a two-spring system. If one spring breaks or becomes significantly weaker than the other, the door will be pulled unevenly. This imbalance causes several problems:

• The door may appear crooked as it moves up and down the tracks.
• You might notice a shuddering or jerky motion as the opener strains to lift the unbalanced load.
• The cables on one side may appear loose or have come off the pulley drums.

Continuing to use the door in this state can cause it to come off its tracks, leading to much more extensive and expensive repairs.

You Can See a Physical Gap in the Spring

A quick visual inspection can often confirm your suspicions. When a torsion spring (the type usually mounted on the wall above the door) breaks, there will be a visible gap of a few inches between the two halves of the broken coil. Never touch a garage door spring, whether it appears intact or broken, as they can still hold dangerous amounts of tension.

The Door Closes Too Fast

If you notice your garage door slamming shut much faster and harder than it used to, this is a serious red flag. The springs are meant to control the door's descent, ensuring it closes smoothly and safely. When they lose tension, they can no longer cushion the door's weight on the way down. This "guillotine effect" is extremely dangerous and poses a significant risk to people, pets, and property.