Short answer: A broken or worn garage door spring usually shows up as a door that feels heavy, opens unevenly, or makes a loud bang. Do not try to open or close the door if you suspect a broken spring, since it is under heavy tension and can cause injury. Call a professional for spring repair rather than attempting it yourself.
If your garage door suddenly feels like it weighs twice as much, or you heard a loud bang from the garage, chances are good you are dealing with a broken spring. Here is how to tell, and what to expect from a repair.
Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Failing or Broken
Door Won't Open or Feels Very Heavy
Garage door springs do most of the actual lifting work, not the opener motor. When a spring breaks, the opener has to fight the full weight of the door alone, which it is not built to do.
Loud Bang From the Garage
A broken torsion spring often makes a loud bang, sometimes loud enough to sound like a gunshot. If you heard this, do not use the door until it has been inspected.
Door Opens Unevenly or Looks Crooked
If one side of the door is lifting faster than the other, one spring may have failed while the other is still holding.
Visible Gap in the Spring
If you can safely see the spring above the door and it has a visible gap or looks stretched apart, it has broken.
Torsion vs. Extension Springs
Most modern garage doors, including the ones we install and service in the Charlotte area, use torsion springs mounted on a bar above the door. Older doors sometimes use extension springs along the tracks. Both types wear out over time from repeated use, and both should only be repaired or replaced by a trained technician.
Why Spring Repair Isn't a DIY Job
Garage door springs hold an enormous amount of tension, enough to cause serious injury if handled without the right tools and training. This is one repair where the cost of a professional visit is worth every penny compared to the risk of doing it yourself.
What to Expect From a Rise Up Spring Repair
When you call Rise Up Garage Doors for spring repair, we will inspect the door, explain exactly what needs to happen, and give you an honest price before any work begins. Every residential torsion spring repair we perform comes backed by a 12-month warranty, so you are covered if anything goes wrong after the visit.
Rise Up Garage Doors has served Mint Hill, Charlotte, and the surrounding area since 2016. We are BBB A+ rated and a Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite, and we never push a bigger repair than you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does garage door spring repair cost?
Cost depends on the type of spring, whether one or both need replacing, and your door size. A free, no-obligation estimate is the most accurate way to get a real number.
How long do garage door springs last?
Most torsion springs are rated for around 10,000 open and close cycles, which typically works out to several years of normal use, though heavier doors or more frequent use can wear them out faster.
Can I still use my garage door if a spring is broken?
No. Using the door with a broken spring puts extra strain on the opener and can be dangerous. Leave the door closed and call a professional.
Does Rise Up Garage Doors warranty spring repairs?
Yes. Every residential torsion spring repair comes with a 12-month warranty.
If your garage door spring is making noise, feels heavy, or has already broken, call Rise Up Garage Doors at (980) 240-2447 for a free, no-obligation estimate. We serve Mint Hill, Charlotte, Matthews, Concord, Monroe, Pineville, Ballantyne, Weddington, Indian Trail, and Locust, NC, plus Lake Wylie, SC.