Guide · Updated
Broken garage door spring: what to do
How to tell if your garage door spring is broken, why you shouldn't open the door, and what happens when a technician replaces it.
Springs balance the weight of your garage door. A typical double sectional door can weigh as much as a person or more, and the springs carry almost all of it. When one breaks, the door suddenly becomes dead weight.
How to tell a spring has broken
Most people hear it: a loud bang from the garage, like something heavy falling. Afterwards the door may only lift a few centimetres, the motor may strain and stop, or the door may sit crooked. On a sectional door, you'll often see a gap of a few centimetres in the coil of the spring above the door.
Why you shouldn't open the door
Without a working spring, lifting the door by hand or with the motor puts the whole weight on the cables and the opener. Cables can snap, the door can drop, and the motor can be damaged. Leave the door closed if you can, and keep people and cars clear.
Why we replace springs in pairs
Springs are rated for a number of cycles. On a door with two springs, both have done the same work. If one has failed, the other is usually close behind, so replacing both avoids a second call-out and keeps the door balanced.
What a spring replacement involves
We secure the door, safely release any remaining tension, fit springs sized to your door's weight and height, check and replace cables if needed, then balance the door and test it with the motor.
Coastal homes
Salt air rusts springs and shortens their life. If you're near the water in suburbs like Malabar, Maroubra or Little Bay, a yearly service helps spot rust early.
Think your spring has gone? Call Toro Garage Doors on (02) 9072 1395.