Every day, you depend on the home's garage door to provide easy access to your living space and protect the contents of the space. However, if the garage door springs are not working properly, the door may malfunction, refusing to open or close. This is a significant problem, as it can keep you from accessing the home. Below are several indications that the springs are wearing out so that you can replace them promptly.

How Can You Spot Failing Garage Door Springs?

1. Improper Alignment

Garage door springs are set up on either side of the door to hold up each end. While they often fail at the same time, sometimes only one of them will break or loosen, causing the affected side to sag. In this case, it’s easy to see almost immediately that one corner of the door sits higher than the other. Replacing the spring promptly is necessary in this situation, as a sagging door is a safety hazard. Without the proper support, the door may close suddenly, damaging anything in its path.

2. Failure to Rise

Most modern garage doors feature automatic openers, which means they open immediately after you press a button. However, if the springs aren’t working correctly, they cannot manage the weight of the door, and the opening mechanism will only lift it a few inches off the ground. This is a safety measure that prevents the opener from working too hard and overheating so that the internal components do not experience damage. When this happens, replacing the springs will often resolve the issue.

3. Visible Gaps

While most signs of failure occur when the door is in motion, you can also spot issues by inspecting it while it is stationary. Look at the springs closely about once a month, and scan the length of the coils. The space between each coil should be even. If you notice gaps that are larger than 1 inch in the spiraled metal, the spring cannot compress properly, causing it to spread. When this happens, you must replace the affected piece.

If you spot these indications of failing garage door springs, contact Kalispell Overhead Door Service in Flathead County, MT. They have been installing and maintaining garage doors since 1999. With a team of licensed and insured contractors, they handle everything from the initial installation to ongoing maintenance and repairs. They work with top brands, including Wayne®, Dalton®, Genie®, and Liftmaster®. Visit the website to learn more about theirs services, and call (406) 755-4120 to request a free estimate.