Broken Garage Door Springs: Five Warnings to Watch For

In some cases it may be very obvious that a spring has broken but if you are not sure whether this is the cause of your problems, take a look at the list below. In it, you will find the five most common warning signs that indicate a broken garage door spring. If you are still not sure after carefully checking the list, please feel free to call and speak to a member of our garage door repair team at any time during business hours. We will be delighted to arrange a visit to your home, during which we can diagnose the fault and fix your garage door.

Are Your Garage Door Springs Broken?

If you notice any of the following signs, there is a good chance you will need to call your friendly local garage door repair company to come and replace your torsion or extension springs. Even if only one of them is actually broken, we recommend replacing them in pairs to avoid future problems.

1. Door Only Opens Partially – If you press the button on your garage door opener and the door only lifts up a few inches, this is most likely due to the fact that one of the torsion springs is no longer strong enough to move the door. Most modern garage door openers have a sensor that can tell when the weight is no longer evenly distributed and will stop the door from going any higher when this is the case. This is a safety feature that is designed to prevent accidents but it can also serve as a friendly warning that your torsion springs may need to be replaced. If your door is only opening a few inches and it is quite modern, call and request a home visit from our garage door opener repair specialists.
2. Door Opens Higher One Side Than the Other – If your door opens crookedly, the most likely reason is that one of the extension springs is broken or worn out. You will find the extension springs at either side of your garage door, at right angles to the torsion springs. They are designed to help raise and lower the door, keeping everything moving smoothly and level. If your door is crooked when it opens, you can either take a look at the extension springs yourself or just call and let us know that you would like a member of our team to visit you as soon as possible. We carry out all types of garage door repair in Boulder, CO, Denver and adjacent areas.
3. Door Closes Much Faster Than Normal – Older garage door openers that do not have the same safety features as the latest models may still allow a door to open even if the torsion springs are damaged. However, when it is time to close the door, it may come down with unexpected force, due to the fact the springs can no longer handle the full weight. Our team can easily fix a garage door with damaged or worn torsion springs that is closing too quickly so please don’t hesitate to call if you spot this particular symptom. It is better to call as soon as you notice it, as a door with springs in this state could be dangerous if left to deteriorate further.
4. Door Makes a Lot of Noise When Opening or Closing – If you can hear creaking and moaning noises when your garage door is opening or closing, this is most likely due to the fact the springs are beginning to reach the end of their useful lifespan. Rather than waiting for them to fail, we recommend calling a garage door repair specialist at the earliest possible opportunity. Although modern door openers have safety features that are designed to prevent accidents, it could still be quite dangerous if a spring should break when your garage door is closing. Unless you are qualified to carry out repairs or you have a great deal of experience fixing garage doors, we do not advise trying to find the fault yourself in the event that you hear a lot of strange noises when your door is opening or closing.
5. Loud Bang or Snapping Noise Coming From Your Garage – When your garage door is closed, the torsion springs that lift it open are coiled tight, holding a great deal of stored energy. For this reason, springs that are worn out may break even when the door is not actively being used. If you should happen to hear a loud snapping noise from your garage when the door is closed, it could well be one of the torsion springs giving up its battle against fatigue and letting go. If it is an integral garage, you can enter from the house door and take a look at what has happened but if not, we recommend standing a safe distance away before pressing the door opener button to see if it is still working.

These are the main symptoms to be aware of as far as broken or worn garage door springs are concerned. Our Broomfield garage door repair team and our garage door repair Parker team have come to the aid of countless local homeowners who have contacted us as soon as they noticed one of these signs and we would be more than happy to help you too if you think your springs may be damaged.