A Quick Guide for Homeowners Who Need Immediate Help

When your garage door suddenly stops working, one of the most common issues is a broken spring. The springs on your garage door carry most of the door’s weight, so when one breaks, the entire system struggles — or shuts down completely. Here’s how to tell, fast.

🚨 The Most Common Signs You Have a Broken Spring

1. Your garage door won’t open — even with the opener running

If you hear the opener humming but the door barely moves (or doesn’t move at all), the spring may have snapped.
Why: The opener cannot lift the full weight of the door without the spring.

2. You hear a loud “bang” in the garage

A torsion spring under high tension makes a sharp, startling noise when it breaks — often described as a gunshot or firecracker.

3. The door feels unusually heavy when you try to lift it manually

If you disconnect the opener and the door is too heavy to lift, that’s a strong indicator of a broken spring.

4. You see a visible gap in the spring

Torsion springs run horizontally above the garage door. If one breaks, you’ll see a 2–4 inch gap where the coil snapped.

5. The garage door is crooked or uneven

If one spring breaks but the other hasn’t, the door may rise unevenly or get stuck at an angle.

⚠️ Safety Warning

Do not try to repair a broken spring yourself. These springs are tightly wound and can cause severe injury if handled improperly. Professional repair is the safest option.

Why You Should Act Quickly

A broken spring puts stress on the opener, the cables, and other hardware. Continuing to use the door can lead to more expensive damage — and leave your car trapped inside.

Need Help Fast?

A professional technician can diagnose the issue in minutes and replace the broken spring safely. Most repairs take under an hour when handled by a trained expert. Superior Overhead Door is the choice of local homeowners for fast, honest service – give them a call at 815-788-1100 or email at info@callsuperiordoor.com.

If you’re uncertain who to call, check out their hundreds of Google 5 star reviews!