2026-01-15 6 min read Mike Thompson
Your garage door springs are among the hardest-working components of your entire home. They cycle thousands of times per year, supporting the full weight of your garage door every time it opens and closes. Like any mechanical component, they wear out over time. Knowing the warning signs of failing springs can help you avoid the inconvenience and potential danger of a sudden spring failure.
One of the first signs that your garage door springs are weakening is when the door feels heavier than usual. When working properly, a well-balanced garage door should feel relatively light when you lift it manually. If you disconnect your opener and try to lift the door by hand, it should stay in place when you release it about three feet off the ground. If it drops or feels extremely heavy, your springs are likely losing tension.
Take a moment to visually inspect your garage door springs. Torsion springs, typically mounted above the door, should have tightly wound coils. If you notice gaps between the coils or the spring looks stretched out, this indicates the spring has lost tension and is on its way to failure. This is particularly common in springs that are 7-10 years old.
When your garage door opens crooked or one side rises faster than the other, this often indicates that one of your springs is weaker than the other or has broken entirely. Extension springs on either side of the door should provide equal tension. If one fails or weakens, the door will pull to one side, creating uneven wear and additional stress on other components.
A loud bang from your garage, like a firecracker going off, is often the sound of a spring breaking. Torsion springs are under tremendous tension.when they break, they release that energy suddenly and violently. If you hear this noise, don't attempt to operate your garage door. The spring needs to be replaced before the door can safely be used again.
Modern garage door openers are designed to work with properly balanced doors. When springs lose tension, the opener has to work much harder to lift the door. You might notice the motor straining, the door moving slowly, or in some cases, the opener failing to lift the door at all. This extra strain can damage your opener, leading to additional repair costs.
Garage door spring replacement is not a DIY project. The springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury if handled improperly. If you notice any of these warning signs, contact a professional garage door technician immediately. At Garage Door Mission Viejo, our trained technicians can quickly diagnose spring problems and perform safe, efficient replacements using high-quality parts.
Don't wait for a complete spring failure. Call us at 949-539-3140 for a free inspection and estimate on garage door spring replacement in Mission Viejo and surrounding Orange County areas.