Unfortunately, the most obvious sign that your garage door spring has failed is that your garage door won't open. Although this can be caused by a few different problems, if you try to open the door manually and it's very difficult to open or won't stay part-way open, the spring is likely to blame.
Uneven Opening
Some garage doors have two extension springs, so if your door is opening unevenly, it often means that one of the springs is failing. This is a concerning sign, because if the other spring breaks, the door can suddenly fall and injure someone or damage property.
Unusual Sounds
You may hear signs of the spring breaking down when you open or close the garage door. Any popping, screeching, or creaking sounds may indicate more than the need for more lubrication; these sounds may indicate the springs are failing. In addition, a loud bang in the garage often means the spring has broken, even though you may not visually see signs of that happening.
Partial Opening
Many garage door openers have a safety feature that prevents the door from being damaged if the spring does break. That means that even though you may not have seen any signs of your spring breaking, you'll notice it when you try to leave and the garage door only opens about six inches.
Visual Signs
If you notice the springs look old or rusty, there's a good chance they won't last much longer. In addition, a torsion spring will have a two-inch gap when it's broken. Some garage doors have an internal spring, making it difficult to see the spring, but you will notice what looks like broken cables instead.
If you see any of these signs or want to know more, call IDC Garage Door right away.