By Rite Hand Doors | Published on 1/1/2025 | 6 min read

Spring Issues? Call Immediately!

If you notice any of these warning signs, contact Rite Hand Doors at (281) 730-6504 for immediate assistance.

Your garage door spring is one of the most critical components of your entire garage door system. When it fails, it doesn't just inconvenience you—it can create serious safety hazards and security vulnerabilities for your Houston home. Understanding the warning signs of spring failure can save you from costly emergency repairs and protect your family's safety.

At Rite Hand Doors, we've seen countless spring failures that could have been prevented with early detection. Here are the five most critical warning signs that your garage door spring needs immediate professional spring replacement attention.

1

Visible Gaps or Breaks in the Spring

This is the most obvious and dangerous warning sign. If you can visually see a gap, crack, or complete break in your garage door spring, stop using your garage door immediately and call for emergency repair service.

DANGER: A broken spring can cause your garage door to slam shut unexpectedly, potentially causing serious injury or property damage.

Garage door springs are under extreme tension—up to 400 pounds of force. When they break, they can snap violently and cause the door to become extremely heavy and difficult to control. Never attempt to operate a garage door with a visibly broken spring.

2

Door Feels Extremely Heavy or Won't Open

If your garage door suddenly feels much heavier than normal when opening manually, or if your garage door opener struggles to lift the door, your spring system may be failing.

Quick Test:

  1. Disconnect your garage door opener by pulling the release handle
  2. Try to manually lift the door about 3-4 feet
  3. If it takes significant effort or feels much heavier than usual, your springs may be failing
  4. The door should stay in place when you let go at the halfway point

A properly functioning spring system should counterbalance the weight of your garage door, making it relatively easy to open manually. If this balance is lost, it's a clear indication that your springs need professional attention.

3

Loud Banging or Snapping Sounds

When garage door springs fail, they often make a loud banging, snapping, or popping sound. This sound can be so loud that it's often mistaken for a car backfiring or even a gunshot.

Immediate Signs:

  • • Loud bang or snap sound
  • • Door suddenly becomes very heavy
  • • Opener struggles or won't work
  • • Door may be stuck open or closed

What to Do:

  • • Stop using the door immediately
  • • Call Rite Hand Doors: (281) 730-6504
  • • Don't attempt DIY repairs
  • • Keep children and pets away

If you hear this sound, especially during Houston's temperature fluctuations, it's likely that one or both of your springs have failed. Temperature changes can cause metal fatigue and accelerate spring failure.

4

Door Opens Unevenly or Crooked

If your garage door opens at an angle, tilts to one side, or appears crooked during operation, this often indicates that one spring is working harder than the other or has failed completely.

Why This Happens in Houston

Houston's humidity and temperature swings can cause uneven wear on garage door springs. When one spring weakens faster than the other, it creates an imbalanced system that puts additional stress on all components.

Continued operation with an uneven door can damage your tracks, rollers, and opener mechanism. It's also a safety hazard, as the door may fall unexpectedly or bind in the tracks.

5

Garage Door Opener Runs But Door Doesn't Move

If you press your garage door remote or wall button and hear the opener motor running, but the door doesn't move or only moves slightly, your springs may have failed completely.

What's Happening:

Your garage door opener is designed to work with the spring system to lift the door. Most residential openers only provide about 1/2 horsepower—not nearly enough to lift a heavy garage door without the assistance of properly functioning springs. When springs fail, the opener motor will strain and may overheat, potentially causing permanent damage to the opener mechanism.

Protect Your Investment: Continuing to run your opener with failed springs can damage the motor, gears, and circuit board—turning a spring replacement into a much more expensive opener replacement.

Why Choose Professional Spring Replacement

Safety First

  • • Springs store 400+ pounds of tension
  • • Improper handling can cause serious injury
  • • Professional tools and training required
  • • Safety protocols protect you and your property

Quality & Warranty

  • • High-cycle springs built for Houston climate
  • • Proper spring sizing and calibration
  • • Professional warranty on parts and labor
  • • Complete system inspection included

Houston Climate and Spring Longevity

Houston's unique climate presents specific challenges for garage door springs:

Humidity Effects

High humidity can accelerate rust and corrosion, weakening spring metal over time.

Temperature Swings

Rapid temperature changes cause metal expansion and contraction, leading to fatigue.

Storm Activity

Frequent use during severe weather can accelerate wear on spring components.

At Rite Hand Doors, we recommend high-cycle springs specifically designed to withstand Houston's challenging climate conditions, extending the life of your garage door system. Regular preventive maintenance can also help identify spring wear before failure occurs.

Don't Wait for Complete Failure

Spring problems only get worse with time. Protect your family's safety and avoid costly damage by addressing issues immediately.

Emergency Service: (281) 730-6504 Learn About Our Service

24/7 Emergency Service Available

Serving Houston, Spring, Cypress, Katy, The Woodlands & Surrounding Areas