Your
garage door is one of the most important components of your home. It protects your vehicles, adds to your home’s curb appeal, and enhances overall security. But like any mechanical system, garage doors are subject to wear and tear. One of the most common issues homeowners face is a broken or damaged garage door spring.
Garage door springs play a crucial role in lifting and lowering your garage door safely and efficiently. If they’re not working properly, it can be more than just an inconvenience; it can also be dangerous.
At
Aquarius Door Services, we sepcilize in garage door spring repair and replacement throughout the
New Jersey area. In this post, we’ll explore the top signs your garage door spring needs repair, how to spot them early, and what to do next.
A Quick Overview of Garage Door Springs
Before looking into the signs that your garage door springs are damage, it’s important to understand the function of garage door springs.
There are two main types of garage door springs:
- Torsion Springs: These are mounted on a metal bar above the garage door opening. They work by twisting, or creating torque, to lift the door. Most modern residential homes use one or two torsion springs.
- Extension Springs: These are located on both sides of the door, running parallel to the overhead tracks. They work by stretching and contracting to lift and lower the door, much like a rubber band.
When one of these springs breaks or wears out, your garage door may become difficult, or even impossible to operate.
Sign 1: The Door Is Difficult to Open
One of the clearest signs your garage door spring is broken is when the door suddenly feels unusually heavy. Springs are designed to carry most of the doors weight, without them, lifting the door becomes extremely difficult.
If your garage door won’t open, or your
opener seems to be straining more than usual, there’s a good chance your spring needs repair or replacement.
Sign 2: You Hear a Loud Bang
Garage door springs are under extreme tension. When they snap, they can make a loud noise similar to a firecracker. Many homeowners report hearing a sudden bang only to discover that their garage door spring has broken.
If you hear this type of noise and your garage door isn’t working properly, call Aquarius Door Services, a professional
garage door repair service, immediately. You can
contact us
at (201) 298-0156. Trying to fix it yourself is very dangerous.
Sign 3: The Garage Door Looks Crooked
When one spring breaks and the other is still functional, your garage door might open at an angle. A crooked or uneven garage door is a sign that the weight is not being distributed evenly due to a faulty spring.
Continuing to operate the door in this state can cause further damage to the tracks, rollers, and enve the opener.
Sign 4: You See a Visible Gap in the Spring
If you suspect an issue, take a look at the spring itself (from a safe distance). A visible gap in a torsion spring usually means it has snapped. You may also notice signs of rust, fraying, or stretching, which indicate the spring is easkening and may fail soon.
It’s a good idea to perform regular visual inspections of your garage door components. However, do not attempt to adjust or remove springs on your own. They can cause serious injury.
Sign 5: The Door Closes Too Quickly
Garage door springs provide balance and control as the door opens and closes. If a spring is broken or damaged, your door might slam shut quickly instead of closing slowly and evenly.
This is not only dangerous but could aslo damage the door panels and hardware. If you notive sudden, jerky movements when closing, it’s time to
schedule a garage door spring inspection.
At Aquarius Door Services, we specialize in inspections for your garage door. Trust us with your next inspection.
Sign 6: Cables and Pulleys Are Loose
The springs work together with a system of cables and pulleys to lift the door. The cables are responsible for transferring the force from the springs to the door itself. When a spring breaks, the tension is lost, causing these cables to go slack.
You may see the lift cables hanging loosely or even coming off the pulleys they are wound around. These dangling cables are a direct result of a spring failure. They are also under tension and should not be handled.
Why You Should Not Attempt a DIY Repair
We get it,
DIY repairs can be tempting, but garage door springs are under intense tension and can cause serious unjust if handled improperly. At Aquarius Door Services, our trained technicians have the experience, tools, and safety equipment to handle garage door spring replacement the right way. We
do not recommend DIY repairs.
Trying to fix it yourself can lead to:
- Personal injury
- Damage to your garage door system
- Voiding warranties
- Costlier repairs down the road.
Don’t wait for a small issue to turn into a major repair. If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, it’s time to call the experts at Aquarius Door Services. We offer fast, reliable, and affordable garage door spring repair across New Jersey.
