Spring problems rarely happen overnight. Instead, they develop through regular use, environmental factors, and natural material fatigue. Understanding these common issues helps you spot trouble before it escalates into dangerous or expensive situations.

Broken torsion springs represent the most frequent problem we encounter. These springs mount horizontally above your garage door opening and twist to store and release energy. When they break, you’ll hear a loud bang that sounds like a gunshot. The spring will show a visible gap where the metal has separated, and your door will become extremely heavy or impossible to lift manually.

Extension springs, which run parallel to the horizontal tracks, face different challenges. These springs stretch and contract with each door cycle, making them vulnerable to metal fatigue. When extension springs break, they often snap suddenly and can whip around dangerously. Broken extension springs leave your door unbalanced and difficult to operate.

Rust and corrosion attack both spring types, weakening the metal and shortening lifespan significantly. Salt air, humidity, and temperature fluctuations accelerate this deterioration. Rusty springs lose their flexibility and strength, making them prone to sudden failure. You’ll notice orange or brown discoloration, flaking metal, and reduced spring tension.