5 Warning Signs Your Garage Door Spring is About to Snap
You don't always have to wait for a loud bang to know your garage door spring is in trouble. Most springs give off warning signs before they completely snap. If your door is moving slowly, making strange noises, or looking crooked, these are clear signals that the metal is fatigued. Door Master Clinic recommends catching these issues early. Replacing a weakened spring is much safer and cheaper than waiting for it to break and potentially damaging your garage door opener or cables.
The 5 Warning Signs
If you notice any of these five signs, it’s time to call in the experts at Door Master Clinic for an inspection:
- Excessive Squeaking or Grinding: While some noise is normal, a high-pitched metal-on-metal screech often means the spring is dry, rusted, or losing its elasticity.
- The Door Stays Heavy: If you pull the emergency release cord and find you can barely lift the door by hand, the springs are no longer doing their job.
- Jerky Movements: Does your door shake or jump as it opens? This often happens when a spring is stretched out and can no longer provide smooth tension.
- Slow Opening Speeds: If your door takes much longer to open than it used to, your opener is likely struggling to compensate for a weak spring.
- Gaps or Rust on the Coils: If you see spots of rust or if the coils look like they are starting to pull apart, the metal is compromised and could snap at any moment.
The Simple Balance Test Safety Check
You can check the health of your springs yourself with a simple test. This helps you catch a weak spring before it snaps and traps your car inside.
- Close the garage door and disconnect the opener by pulling the emergency release cord.
- Lift the door manually about halfway up and let go.
- A healthy spring should hold the door in place. If the door crashes to the floor, your springs are dangerously weak.
Can I just spray some oil on a squeaky spring to stop it from breaking?
Lubrication helps a healthy spring stay healthy, but it cannot fix a spring that has already reached the end of its life. If the metal is already stretched, oil will not prevent it from snapping.
Is it dangerous to wait until the spring actually breaks?
Yes. When a spring snaps, the door can fall rapidly. This is a major safety risk and can damage your tracks or the opener motor.
Why do springs wear out faster in Florida?
High humidity and salt air cause rust to form on the coils. This rust creates friction that weakens the metal faster than in other climates.
Get a Professional Inspection Today
Don't wait for your garage door to fail at the worst possible time. If you see any of these warning signs, reach out to Door Master Clinic. Our experienced technicians can inspect your system to ensure everything is safe. We provide fast, reliable service in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Palm Coast, and Tampa.
