Propershop Garage (serving San Diego, CA and Dallas, TX) is a home-services company specializing in garage door repair and installation. One of the most critical (and dangerous) components we deal with are garage door springs – the coiled metal springs that do the heavy lifting each time you open or close your garage door.
This guide walks through common spring issues, basic troubleshooting, safety concerns, and when it’s time to call a professional. It’s written to help you understand what’s going on with your door, not to turn spring repair into a DIY project.
Understanding Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are essential components that counterbalance the weight of the door, making it possible for a person or an opener to lift a very heavy door with ease. Without working springs, manually lifting a typical garage door would be nearly impossible and unsafe.
There are two main types of garage door springs:
Torsion Springs
Mounted above the garage door opening on a steel shaft
Use torque (twisting force) to lift the door
Common in modern systems
Provide smoother, more controlled motion
Extension Springs
Located on either side of the door along the horizontal tracks
Stretch and contract to counterbalance the door’s weight
Often found in older or smaller doors
Should have a safety cable running through them to contain the spring if it breaks
Both types do the same job, but all garage door springs are under high tension. When they fail or are handled incorrectly, they can be very dangerous.
Common Garage Door Spring Problems and Warning Signs
Most standard springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles (one opening and closing of the door). For the average household, that usually translates to 7–10 years. As springs wear out or get damaged, you’ll start seeing issues like these:
1. Broken Spring (Sudden Failure)
This is the big one.
You might hear a loud bang in the garage, like a gunshot or firecracker.
The door suddenly won’t open, or the opener only lifts it a few inches before stopping.
You may see a visible gap in the torsion spring coil or an extension spring hanging loose.
The door feels extremely heavy if you try to lift it manually.
The door may sit crooked or slanted if only one of a pair of springs has snapped.
If this happens: do not keep trying to run the opener. You can burn out the motor or damage other components.
2. Springs Losing Tension (Worn or Weak)
Springs don’t always snap dramatically. Sometimes they simply get tired.
Signs include:
The door feels heavy to lift manually.
The door slams shut faster than normal when closing.
The opener struggles to lift the door or stops mid-way.
The door won’t stay fully open – it drifts down a bit.
New creaking, popping, or grinding noises during operation.
These symptoms usually mean the springs are still intact but not doing their job effectively.
3. Rust and Corrosion
Springs are steel. Steel and moisture don’t get along.
You may see rust, discoloration, or pitting on the coils.
The door becomes noisier, with squeaks or grinding.
In coastal San Diego neighborhoods, salt in the air accelerates corrosion.
Over time, rust weakens the metal and can lead to premature breakage.
Regular lubrication and, in some cases, upgraded spring materials can help fight this.
4. Poor Installation or Wrong Springs
If someone installed the wrong size or type of springs, or didn’t balance them correctly, you may notice:
The door lifting unevenly (one side higher than the other).
The door coming off track or binding in the rails.
Excessive noise or jerky motion.
New problems after a recent “repair”.
In these cases, the springs might need to be replaced or recalibrated by a pro.
How to Troubleshoot Garage Door Spring Issues (Safely)
You can do some basic troubleshooting to confirm whether your springs are the problem. But once you suspect a spring failure, the actual repair should be handled by a professional.
1. Do a Visual Check
Look at the springs (without touching):
For torsion springs: look above the door opening for a gap in the coil.
For extension springs: check each side along the tracks for a spring that is broken, stretched out, or hanging.
Look at the cables and hardware – if a spring snapped, a cable may be loose or off the drum.
If anything looks broken or out of place, stop there and call a technician.
2. Disconnect the Opener and Test Manually
Use the emergency release cord (usually a red handle) to disconnect the door from the opener, then carefully test:
Try to lift the door smoothly with two hands.
If the door is too heavy to lift or wants to crash down, that strongly suggests a spring issue.
If the door moves easily and feels balanced, the problem may be with the opener instead.
If the door feels unsafe or wants to slam shut, do not force it and do not leave it propped open.
3. Perform a Balance Test
If the springs appear intact, you can test the door’s balance:
With the opener disconnected, lift the door to about waist/shoulder height (around halfway).
Gently let go.
If the door stays in place, the springs are likely balanced.
If it falls, the springs don’t have enough tension.
If it flies upward, there may be too much tension.
Any imbalance is a sign to call for adjustment or replacement.
4. Listen for New Noises
New sounds can be early warning signs:
Repetitive clicking, popping, or grinding.
Springs making harsh scraping noises instead of a smooth hum.
The door jerking or shuddering on the way up or down.
A quick lubrication (below) may solve minor squeaks, but persistent sounds often point to deeper issues.
5. Lubricate the Springs
This is one maintenance task homeowners can usually handle:
Use a silicone-based spray or garage-door specific lubricant.
Lightly spray the spring coils, hinges, and rollers.
Wipe off excess so it doesn’t drip or collect dust.
Cycle the door a few times to work the lubricant in.
Avoid WD-40 as a primary solution – it’s more of a cleaner/solvent than a proper long-term lubricant, and can attract grime.
If lubrication doesn’t noticeably improve noise or movement, it’s time for a professional inspection.
Why DIY Spring Repair Is Dangerous
This is the most important section in the whole article.
Garage door springs are high-tension components. Mishandling them can cause:
Serious injury (cuts, broken bones, eye injuries, head trauma)
Damage to vehicles or property
A door that is even more unsafe after the “repair”
Here’s why DIY is risky:
1. Extreme Stored Energy
A wound torsion spring stores a huge amount of energy. If a winding bar slips, a set screw is loosened incorrectly, or a component fails:
The spring can snap or whip around violently.
Metal pieces can fly off at high speed.
The door can slam down unexpectedly.
Even experienced technicians respect that tension and follow strict safety steps.
2. Specialized Tools and Techniques
Proper spring work requires:
Winding bars of exactly the right size
Secure clamps and supports for the door
The right sequence of loosening and tightening hardware
Using makeshift tools (like screwdrivers in place of winding bars) is a common cause of accidents. There’s very little margin for error.
3. Spring Sizing and Calibration
Springs are not universal. They vary in:
Length
Wire gauge
Inside diameter
Direction of wind (left vs. right)
Using the wrong spring can cause:
A door that won’t stay open or won’t close properly
Extra strain on the opener, cables, and tracks
Premature breakage and repeated repairs
Professionals calculate and select springs based on your door’s exact weight and dimensions, then fine-tune the tension.
4. Risk of Extra Damage
If a DIY repair goes wrong, you might also:
Knock the door off its tracks
Damage the opener motor by running a door with bad springs
Ruin cables, drums, or brackets – multiplying repair costs
What starts as “saving a few bucks” can easily become a much more expensive problem.
Bottom line:
Troubleshooting and basic maintenance = OK for most homeowners.
Actual spring replacement = call a pro.
How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Door Springs
Springs will eventually wear out, but you can maximize their lifespan with a few simple habits.
1. Lubricate Regularly
Lubricate springs and moving hardware about every 6 months.
In harsh environments (coastal San Diego, hot Dallas summers), consider doing this every 3 months.
Use a light, non-greasy garage door lubricant – not heavy grease.
2. Inspect Seasonally
Every month or two:
Look for rust, gaps, stretching, or deformation in the springs.
Check for frayed or loose cables.
Note any new noises or jerky motion.
If you spot anything concerning, schedule a professional inspection.
3. Do a Balance Test Once or Twice a Year
Repeat the balance test described earlier:
Door halfway open
Let go gently
If the door won’t stay put, have it checked. An unbalanced door can shorten the life of both springs and opener.
4. Reduce Unnecessary Cycles
Every open/close is a cycle:
Avoid repeatedly opening and closing the door for fun or out of habit.
Don’t let kids play with the garage door.
If your household uses the garage door as the “front door” all day long, consider high-cycle springs at your next replacement.
5. Consider Upgraded Springs
If you:
Use your garage door many times a day, or
Live in harsh conditions (heat, humidity, salty ocean air)
…ask about:
High-cycle springs (rated for 20,000+ cycles instead of ~10,000)
Oil-tempered or coated springs designed to resist rust and wear
They cost more upfront but can save money over time.
6. Schedule Professional Tune-Ups
An annual garage door tune-up from a professional technician can include:
Checking and adjusting spring tension
Inspecting cables, rollers, and hinges
Testing safety sensors and opener force settings
Lubricating all critical components
Think of it like servicing your car: a little preventative work keeps things safe and reliable.
Local Considerations: San Diego vs. Dallas
Propershop Garage serves homeowners in both San Diego, CA and Dallas, TX, and each area has its own challenges.
San Diego, CA
Coastal moisture and salt can accelerate rust on springs and hardware.
Even “mild” weather still means year-round use, so springs get a lot of cycles.
To address this, we often recommend:
Springs and hardware with better corrosion resistance
More frequent lubrication and inspections in coastal neighborhoods
Dallas, TX
Intense summer heat and big temperature swings stress metal components.
Seasonal humidity, storms, and occasional ice put extra load on doors and springs.
In Dallas, we frequently recommend:
High-cycle springs for busy households
Regular lubrication (often quarterly) to deal with heat and dust
Periodic tune-ups to catch wear before it becomes a failure
In both markets, our technicians tailor recommendations to your home, climate, and usage patterns, not just a generic checklist.
Why Choose Propershop Garage for Spring Repair
When you call Propershop Garage, here’s what you can expect:
Expert Diagnosis
We confirm whether the spring is the actual culprit and inspect the entire system: springs, cables, rollers, hinges, opener, and tracks.
Quality Replacement Springs
We choose springs that match your door’s specs and usage, often with upgrade options for longer life and better performance.
Safe, Professional Installation
Our technicians use the proper tools and procedures to safely remove broken springs, install new ones, and calibrate tension.
System Balancing & Testing
We don’t just swap springs and leave. We balance the door, test multiple open/close cycles, and adjust the opener to ensure smooth, safe operation.
Local, Trusted Service
As a locally focused company in San Diego and Dallas, we understand the environmental factors that affect your door and can advise you on the best maintenance schedule and components for your area.
Our goal is simple: everything done proper – safely, honestly, and with long-term reliability in mind.
Conclusion
Garage door springs may be out of sight, but they should never be out of mind. They carry the weight of your door, and when they fail, they can create safety risks, damage, and major inconvenience.
Learn to recognize the warning signs of spring problems.
Use basic troubleshooting and maintenance to stay ahead of issues.
Leave actual spring repair and replacement to trained professionals.
If you’re in San Diego, CA or Dallas, TX and you suspect a spring issue – or just want a professional tune-up – Propershop Garage is here to help. We’ll make sure your garage door is safe, balanced, and ready to work every time you hit the button.
