Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?

Springs break because metal wears out. Each time the door moves the spring bends or stretches. After enough cycles the metal tires and cracks.

Wear from use

Every spring has a cycle rating. The more you use the door the sooner it reaches its limit. Read how long garage door springs last to see how that works in years.

Rust

Rust eats into the metal. Damp air and road salt speed it up. A rusty spring breaks sooner than a clean one.

Poor balance

If the door is out of balance the spring works harder than it should. That adds stress on every lift.

The wrong size

A spring must match the weight of the door. A spring that is too light wears out early. This can happen after a door is changed or has parts added.

Dry coils

Coils rub against each other as they move. A little lubricant lowers friction. Follow the door maker advice on what to use.

Age

Springs do not last forever. An old spring can break even if it looks fine.

What to do about it

• Pay attention to a door that is getting heavy or noisy.
• Have the springs checked as they age.
• Do not try to adjust or replace a spring yourself.

A planned visit beats an emergency call. See our page on garage door spring repair.

Related guides: how an out of balance door adds stress.