Your garage door springs do almost all the heavy lifting — literally. They counterbalance the weight of a door that can top 150 pounds, which is why a broken spring brings everything to a halt. Here are the most common reasons springs fail, and what you can do about it.
1. Normal wear and tear
Springs are rated in cycles — one open and one close is a cycle. A standard spring is rated for roughly 10,000 cycles, which sounds like a lot until you realize a busy family can use the door 4–6 times a day. Over years, the metal fatigues and eventually snaps. This is the single most common cause, and it’s simply the spring reaching the end of its life.
2. Cold Illinois winters
Metal contracts in the cold, and brittle metal is more likely to fracture. That’s why so many springs let go on the first hard freeze of the season — many of our customers call us after a sudden “bang” on a sub-zero morning. Higher-cycle springs handle temperature swings better.
3. Rust and poor lubrication
Rust increases friction and eats away at the coil. A light coat of lubricant a couple of times a year dramatically slows this down and keeps the spring moving freely.
4. The wrong spring for the door
A spring that isn’t matched to the door’s exact weight wears out far faster — and strains the opener. This is common after a DIY job or a rushed install. We always match springs to your specific door.
Don’t fix a broken spring yourself
Springs are under extreme tension. A slip can cause serious injury, which is why this is one repair best left to a pro. If you hear a loud bang, see a gap in the coil, or the door suddenly feels impossibly heavy, stop using it and call (224) 770-0587 — most of our spring repairs are done the same day.