Springs are an essential part of your garage door system, since they are responsible for helping it safely open and close. Although the spring is a tiny component, a broken spring can make your life incredibly inconvenient. As a homeowner, you should know how to recognize a broken spring and how to deal with this issue in a safe and confident way.

Homeowner’s Guide to Broken Garage Door Springs

How to Recognize a Broken Spring

A broken or damaged spring might exhibit one or more of several common signs.

First, the cables on the door will become loose and stop pulling the door. Second, the door will refuse to budge after opening just a few inches. This is a safety feature that might kick on when the springs are broken. Third, the door may fall dangerously fast when it’s closing. This happens because the door is very heavy, and the spring is designed to take off that load and let the door drop gently.

If you keep trying to open a garage door with a broken spring, the top or bottom of the door may visibly bend from the extra weight.

What to Do

If you suspect that your garage door spring is broken, do not attempt to open or close your door. The door may act unpredictably, as there is no longer anything in place to safely hold all that weight. Keep people away from the door until you can have a professional look at it.

Do not try to replace the spring yourself, since working with that much weight and tension is dangerous. An improperly replaced spring could also break after it’s installed, injuring you or a family member. Trust a professional to replace the spring. They can also give you instructions for maintaining that new spring, such as lubrication and services.

If you think your garage door spring might be broken, call Kalispell Overhead Door Service, Inc. in Kalispell, MT. This licensed and insured team specializes in services ranging from garage door installation to spring repairs. They carry a wide selection of parts to get your repairs done as quickly as possible with top-quality craftsmanship. Contact them online or at (406) 755-4120 to request a free estimate.