Broken Garage Door Spring? A Homeowner's Guide
Garage door springs do the heavy lifting every time your door opens, and they are under enormous tension. When one breaks, the door often becomes impossible to open and unsafe to operate. Here is what homeowners in Plainfield should understand about spring failure and why this is one repair best left to a professional.
Torsion vs. Extension Springs
Most doors use one of two spring systems. Torsion springs mount on a bar above the door opening and wind up to lift the weight. Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side and stretch as the door lowers.
Both store a tremendous amount of energy. Torsion systems are common on modern and heavier doors, while extension springs appear on many older or lighter single-car doors.
Signs a Spring Has Broken
The most obvious clue is a loud bang from the garage, sometimes mistaken for a gunshot or something falling. After that, the door may refuse to open, or the opener strains and lifts only a few inches before stopping.
Look for a visible gap in a coiled torsion spring, or a stretched, drooping extension spring. A door that suddenly feels extremely heavy by hand is another strong indicator.
Why This Is Not a DIY Job
Garage door springs are wound to counterbalance a door that can weigh well over a hundred pounds. A spring or winding bar that slips during an untrained repair can cause serious injury.
Professionals have the correct winding bars, replacement parts, and training to release and set tension safely. The cost of a professional replacement is small compared to the risk of doing it wrong.
What to Do When a Spring Breaks
Stop using the door immediately. Do not repeatedly hit the opener button, which can burn out the motor or cause the door to fall. If the door is open, leave it open until help arrives rather than forcing it down.
Avoid parking your car under or behind the door until it has been repaired, so you are not trapped in or out of the garage.
Replace Springs in Pairs
If your door uses two springs and one has broken, the other is usually the same age and nearing the end of its life. Replacing both at once saves you a second service call and keeps the door balanced.
Springs are rated by cycles, and a higher-cycle spring lasts longer. Ask your technician about upgrading if you use your garage door frequently throughout the day.
A broken spring is inconvenient, but it is a routine, same-day fix for a trained technician. 360 Garage Plainfield replaces garage door springs safely for homeowners throughout Plainfield, NJ. If your door is stuck or you heard that telltale bang, call (848) 337-3457 for a free estimate and prompt, professional service.