5 Signs You Need Garage Door Spring Repair

The average garage door opens and closes three to five times each day. That’s about 1,500 times per year! Because of the constant strain on our garage doors, they’ll inevitably face some type of damage. Maybe your garage door opens unevenly or is heavier than usual. Or maybe your garage door starts to make a few weird noises as it’s going up and down. No matter what the cause, a faulty garage door is no joke, and oftentimes, these problems are a direct result of faulty automatic openers, bad garage door springs, or even a remote that doesn’t work properly.

While some issues are easy to identify, many homeowners find it difficult to narrow down the cause of their garage door issues. Fortunately, your garage door gives off a few tell-tale signs that can help guide you to the cause of your problems. Is garage door spring repair necessary? What do you do if your garage door struggles to open? Check out these five signs that your garage door springs need to be repaired and how calling on a local garage service — like our garage door spring repair in Katy, TX — can provide you with the necessary solutions.

1. Your Garage Door Doesn’t Open Smoothly 

Is your door taking a long time to open? Is it making a bunch of weird noises as it opens up? It’s probably time for garage door spring replacement if the door is difficult to open. A door that isn’t level won’t open smoothly, and a crooked door is a sign your springs aren’t operating evenly and need to be checked. Whether you have standard springs or extension springs, a crooked door is a bad sign and often leads to more trouble when left unchecked.

Standard garage door springs are above the garage door, while extension springs are perpendicular to the garage door on either side. If one wears out, the door may become uneven, and both would need a new garage door spring installation.

2. Your Garage Door Is Heavy

When you attempt to open a door with bad garage door springs, your opener will struggle to open the door or won’t be able to open it at all. Because of a safety feature built into the garage door opener, the door may rise just a few inches and then go back down. The sensitivity feature controls the opener’s strength to prevent any damage due to excessive weight.

If you operate your door manually, you’ll notice it’s harder to lift. Functioning torsion springs support the door’s weight, but if your door feels heavy, it’s a sign of a worn or broken garage door spring.

3. You Hear a Loud Sound in the Garage

When garage door springs pop, they don’t go lightly. You may hear a sound similar to a fallen storage box, a blown fuse box, or a crash coming from your garage, but more likely, it’s the sound of the garage door spring breaking. It’s part of the reason why many companies are starting to recommend you change out your extension springs to garage door torsion springs. 

When the torsion spring breaks, it causes the coiled spring to unravel and violently spin around the shaft. Extension springs are much more dangerous, as when they pop, they can shoot right out and damage things like windows and cars inside your garage. In either scenario, the best way to identify a problem is if you hear a loud bang erupt. Consider getting garage door maintenance to prevent your springs from popping and giving way.

4. You Notice a Spring Gap

If you notice a gap, plan to replace your garage door spring. A standard torsion system consists of one or two tightly wound springs located over your garage door. When a spring breaks, it will unwind and leave a noticeable gap between the two pieces, approximately one to two inches in length and sometimes bigger. If you see an opening, call the professionals from our garage door company to help you. 

A bad garage door spring is not a DIY project you want to risk enduring. Faulty springs may not seem dangerous, but remember, they can shoot out at any moment. Experts are much better equipped at handling these springs and using the right safety equipment to get the job done. 

5. You Notice Loose Cables

How do loose cables mean bad garage door springs? Garage doors use cables to open and close the door. At the top of the door, the cables wrap around a drum attached to the torsion system. At the bottom, the cables hook onto the bottom panel. When the spring breaks, it causes the drum to spin, and the cables lose tension. As a result, the cable will be loose or tangled or even appear cut.

When you see a loose cable, be sure to call our professionals for garage door services. Eventually, these loose cables can break and disconnect from your door. They may even interfere with your garage door operations and jam the door shut. Stick to your garage door maintenance schedule to prevent loose cables and broken springs.

How Long Do Springs Last?

If you have bad garage door springs, the most likely cause is that they have reached the end of their lifespan. While our competitors may use 10,000 cycle springs, our garage door springs last between 50,000 – 60,000 cycles; or anywhere from 8-15 years. You can also ask your garage door installers about extended lifespan torsion springs. They last significantly longer than our standard garage door springs and come with a lifetime warranty. If you use your garage door like a front door, this is the best option for the continued reliability of a fully functioning garage door!

Regardless, it’s good to remember that the more you use your garage door, the higher the likelihood of a broken spring. As such, it’s of the utmost importance that you prevent bad garage door springs with help from a local garage door company like Ohana Garage Doors that understands the specifics of garage door springs.

That’s Everything to Know About Garage Door Spring Repair!

Now that you have been schooled on the five signs you need garage door spring repair, it’s important to keep an eye on your garage door. As the largest door to your home, bad garage door springs are a huge inconvenience — especially if you park in the garage.

If you’re in the Houston area and are experiencing garage door issues, we’d love to help. Contact us today for more details and fill out our online form to schedule an appointment. Or ask the experts at Ohana Garage Doors about our garage door tune-up services to maintain your doors.