10 Common Signs Of Broken Garage Door Springs

1. Cables Are Loose

A lot of homeowners tend to believe that their garage door cables are at broken when, in reality, the torsion springs are failing. If your cables are either loose or slack, then the spring itself is having a hard time functioning correctly. Through the pressure given by tightly-wound torsion or tension springs, the cables are well-kept in place. But as soon as the spring breaks, it starts to unwind; hence, the cables slip out of their place.

2. Garage Door Is Too Heavy

Do you notice that your garage seems to be heavy than usual? It is like you are having difficulty trying to open it? If this is the case, then it is very likely for the garage door extension springs to be broken. The latter is responsible for supporting the overall weight of the door. And when this spring breaks, expect your garage door to become “dead weight.”

3. Opens Only About Six Inches

Keep in mind that the torsion spring supports the weight of the garage door. If it is broken or not working accordingly, it will definitely have a hard time allowing the door to open to its maximum. Sure, it can still be opened, but in most cases, it could just be around six inches. Apparently, though, there are cases when the safety system is triggered. So, to determine what exactly the root cause of the problem is, you need to check the sensors.

4. A Visible Gap

Basically, your garage door torsion spring is composed of one or two springs, both of which are tightly-wound over the garage door. When they break, they tend to unwind. And when this happens, expect a visible gap to surface. If you notice there is a gap in between your torsion spring, then it is time to contact a garage door spring repair professional. Remember that this particular task should not be done DIY, as you can only make the matter worse. It is imperative that you seek professional help immediately.

5. The Garage Door Is Crooked

Damaged garage door extension springs often result in a crooked garage door. They are usually affixed to either side of your garage door. Their goal is to pull your garage door individually and independently. If one of them breaks, that side of the garage door will not move. That is why you will notice your garage door to be crooked. And if you do not get this problem fixed right away, chances are, your garage door can get stuck on the tracks.

6. Loud Banging From Your Garage

If one of the torsion springs breaks, you can really expect a loud noise from your garage. And even if the spring will only unwind in a few seconds, it can still produce a very loud noise. In fact, it is said to be startling to some people, with others saying like someone is trying to gain entry to their house. If you hear a loud bang or noise coming from your garage, it is ideal to contact a garage door spring repair technician right away. This is most especially the case if you cannot open the door, which would sometimes require a complete garage door spring replacement.

7. Garage Door Tends To Be Jerky

8. Garage Door Falls Quickly

Does it fall faster than usual when you close it? This is also another sign of a broken spring. Since the garage door’s weight is being supported by the spring, a broken latter can cause it to fall rather quickly. This one right here poses a serious threat, so it is best to call a garage door spring repair technician right away.

9. Cables Are Broken

First and foremost, this one is different from the aforementioned. This time, the cables are really broken, not just loose. And you will know if your garage door encounters this problem because the cables can every which way. They can fall to the ground or become disconnected from your garage door. They can even get caught in between the jamb and the door. While it holds true that cables breaking rarely happens, but it can still happen. Your best course of action is to have your garage door maintained every now and then, so you can be sure of its quality and integrity. Remember than cables are broken and you operate the garage door, your safety can be compromised.

10. Garage Door Cannot Be Lifted Even After Pulling The Emergency Release Rope

You know already that your automatic opener comes with anemergency release rope. If you try to pull it and the garage door is still not lifting, then you are facing a broken spring. Basically, the one responsible for lifting your garage door is the counterbalance spring. And, as mentioned, the door can become deadweight if the spring is broken.