Why Are Garage Door Springs Dangerous? What Every Homeowner Must Know

If you have a residential garage in The Woodlands, Texas, you probably use your garage door every single day without thinking about it. You hit the remote, the garage door opens, the heavy door glides up, and life goes on.

Hidden inside that smooth motion is a lot of force, weight, and energy held inside your garage door spring system. That is exactly why garage door springs are dangerous when something goes wrong.

This guide will walk you through the dangers of garage door springs, what happens when a spring breaks, and when to put safety first and call a professional garage door technician instead of attempting to repair anything yourself.

How A Garage Door Spring Works On Modern Garage Doors

Every modern garage door system relies on springs to counterbalance the weight of the door.

Without springs, most garage doors would be far too heavy for you or your opener to lift and lower safely.

A typical residential garage door has:

• A torsion spring mounted above the overhead door, or
• A pair of extension springs running along the sides of the door system

The job of each garage door spring is to:

• Store energy when the garage door is closed
• Release that energy as the garage door opens and closes
• Counterbalance the weight of the garage door so the opener does not struggle

These springs are wound tight around a metal coil and placed under immense tension. That tension that makes them work is also what makes garage door springs so dangerous if anything fails.

Why Are Garage Door Springs Dangerous?

There are several reasons garage door springs are dangerous, especially if you attempt to repair or replace them yourself.

1. High tension can turn parts into projectiles

Garage door springs are wound tight to hold the weight of the door. When a torsion spring or coil suddenly releases, the spring could cause:

• Flying metal pieces
• Sudden violent motion of the door
• Broken cables whipping around the garage

This can cause injuries such as laceration, head injuries, or harm to your hands and fingers if you are nearby. In the worst cases, severe injuries or even death have occurred when homeowners tried to do spring repair on their own.

2. The weight of the garage door is much higher than you think

A typical residential garage door can weigh well over one hundred pounds, sometimes several hundred, depending on the type of garage door and material.

Without springs to counterbalance the weight:

• The door becomes a heavy door that can slam down unexpectedly
• A falling door with that kind of pound-force can cause serious garage door injuries

A garage door with a broken spring might look harmless, but the weight of the door is no longer controlled. A door with a broken spring can drop suddenly if anyone tries opening a garage door by hand or with the opener.

3. One of the most dangerous moving parts in your home

Because springs are under high tension and sit inside your garage, they are one of the most dangerous parts of your entire house when handled incorrectly.

Garage door springs are dangerous because:

• There is high torsion (mechanics) involved
• Springs are wound and can unwind violently
• The entire door is connected to that energy

Attempting to repair a broken garage door spring without the right expertise and equipment is simply not worth the risk.

Types Of Garage Door Spring Systems

Understanding the type of spring you have can help you understand the risks.

Torsion spring systems

A torsion spring sits on a shaft above the overhead door. This is the most common type of spring in a modern professional garage door setup in The Woodlands.

• The coil twists as the door closes
• It unwinds as the door goes up
• Springs are wound tight to store energy

When a torsion spring breaks, the spring failure can be sudden and loud, like a gunshot. The dangers of garage door springs in this setup come from that sudden release of force and the loss of control over the door.

Extension springs

Some older garage doors use extension springs along each side of the garage door system.

• They stretch as the door closes
• They contract as the garage door opens

If an extension spring breaks, it can snap back and become extremely dangerous, especially if safety cables are missing or worn.

Common Signs Of Garage Door Spring Issues

Knowing the common signs of garage door spring issues can help you react before something fails completely.

Watch for:

• The door will not open or close fully
• The garage door opens a few inches then stops
• The garage door’s opener strains or makes new noise
• The door looks crooked or unbalanced when you open and close it
• You see a gap in the coil of a torsion spring – a clear sign the spring is broken

Any of these spring issues mean you should always call a professional and avoid using the garage until a technician checks the system.

What Happens When A Garage Door Spring Breaks?

When a spring breaks, several dangers appear at once.

• The counterweight and counterbalance that lift and lower the door are gone
• The weight of the garage door is no longer supported
• The opener may try to move the door without that support

A garage door with a broken spring might:

• Slam shut unexpectedly
• Refuse to open or close
• Cause the opener to fail or burn out
  

Trying to operate garage doors when a spring is broken can turn your door into a serious safety hazard very quickly.

If a spring breaks while someone is under the door, the consequences can include severe injuries and head injury. This is why the dangers of garage door springs should never be taken lightly.

Why You Should Never Attempt To Replace Or Repair Springs Yourself

The internet is full of tutorials that show you how to repair a garage door, but even those sources warn that garage door springs are dangerous.

Trying to attempt to replace or repair a spring on your own can:

• Cause injuries to you or family members
• Damage the garage door system
• Void warranties or damage your opener
• Turn a simple garage door spring repair into a much more expensive problem

You should never attempt spring repair on your own. Never try to loosen or tighten a spring with a ladder and basic tools. The high tension and motion involved require a trained service professional.

If the spring is broken or you suspect spring failure, always call a professional technician. It is simply not worth the risk to your safety.

Safety Tips To Put Safety First Around Garage Door Springs

You can still use your garage confidently if you follow a few safety tips and remember that garage door springs are dangerous if mishandled.

• Do not use a garage door with a broken spring. If you suspect a broken spring, lower the door carefully if possible, unplug the opener, and call a professional.
• Keep kids away from garage door controls. Do not let children play with the remote or wall button.
• Test safety features regularly. Make sure your photo eyes and auto-reverse work properly at least once or twice a year.
• Listen for changes. New noise, grinding, popping, or scraping can be signs of wear and tear and upcoming spring issues.
• Schedule garage door inspections. Have a technician check your springs, cables, and other hardware at least once a year.

A trained technician will inspect the number of cycles on your springs, check that everything is in good condition, and recommend spring maintenance, spring replacement, or other repairs and maintenance if needed.

When To Call A Professional Garage Door Company In The Woodlands

If you notice any of these garage door problems, it is time to call a professional garage door spring repair or replacement service in The Woodlands:

• Garage door will not open or close smoothly
• You see a visible gap in a torsion spring coil
• The door becomes too heavy to lift by hand
• The opener strains, stalls, or the door goes crooked
• You suspect any kind of spring failure or garage door spring issues

A local garage door company with experience will:

• Inspect the entire door system, not just the springs
• Safely counterbalance the weight and perform spring replacement if needed
• Adjust the opener so it can open or close the door safely
• Keep your door safe and secure for daily use

Basic Maintenance You Can Do Safely

While you should never attempt spring repair or attempt to repair a broken garage door spring yourself, there are a few simple steps you can safely take to help your springs reach their full lifespan:

• Lightly lubricate metal moving parts with a garage-rated lubricant
• Watch and listen as the door opens and closes for rough motion or new noise
• Keep the tracks clean and free of debris
• Call a technician if anything looks or sounds off

These small habits help keep your system safe and can extend the lifespan of your springs and opener.

Conclusion: Put Safety First With Garage Door Springs

Garage door springs are dangerous because they hold high tension, control the weight of the door, and are one of the most dangerous moving parts in your home when mishandled.

If you see signs of a broken garage door spring or any spring issues, do not use the opener, do not try to repair your garage door yourself, and do not attempt to replace or repair any spring.

Always call a professional garage door service in The Woodlands to repair or replace damaged springs, so your family, your property, and your garage doors stay safe and secure.

If you suspect a spring problem right now, the safest next step is simple: call a professional and let a trained technician handle the risk for you.