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Springs · 4 min read
How to tell if your garage door spring is broken (and why not to touch it)
Most broken springs announce themselves with a bang that sounds like a firework in the garage. If you heard one, and the door won't lift or only rises a few inches, the spring is the first suspect.
The four signs
• A visible gap of an inch or two in the coiled spring above the door. • The door feels extremely heavy, or the opener strains and stops. • Cables hanging loose beside the door. • The door slams down instead of lowering slowly.
Why not to touch it
The spring carries the weight of the door, often 150 lb or more. With it broken, that weight is unsupported. Don't lift the door by hand and don't let the opener keep trying. If the door is closed, you can pull the red release cord so the opener stops straining; if it's open and won't close, keep people and cars clear and call.
What the repair involves
A technician secures the door, measures the old spring, installs a matched pair and rebalances the door. It usually takes about 45 minutes, and both springs are replaced because the second one has done the same number of cycles.
Liftline
Garage door repair and installation across the Riverton metro since 2011.
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