5 Signs You Need a New Garage Door Spring

Your garage door is one of the hardest-working systems in your home — opening and closing several times a day, every day. The unsung hero behind this motion is your garage door spring, a tightly wound coil that counterbalances the door’s weight and makes lifting effortless.

When a spring starts to wear out or breaks, your garage door can quickly become dangerous, inconvenient, and even impossible to open. Whether you live in Naples, Fort Myers, or anywhere along Florida’s West Coast, recognizing the early warning signs can help you avoid costly damage or injuries.

Here are five clear signs you may need a new garage door spring, along with expert insights from the team at Golden Coast Garage Doors.

1. Your Garage Door Feels Heavy or Hard to Lift

If your door suddenly feels much heavier than usual, it’s one of the clearest indicators that a garage door spring is failing. Springs carry the majority of the door’s weight — when they weaken, your opener motor is forced to work harder than it’s designed to.

Try this simple test: disconnect the opener and attempt to lift the door manually.

• If it feels heavy or drops quickly, your spring has likely lost tension.

• A properly functioning spring should allow the door to move smoothly and stay balanced halfway open.

Florida homeowners often notice this after long periods of humidity, which can cause metal fatigue and corrosion. Replacing the spring immediately prevents stress on your opener and avoids potential motor burnout.

2. You Hear a Loud Snap or Bang

Garage door springs are under extreme tension — some can hold over 100 pounds of pressure. When one breaks, it often produces a loud bang that can sound like something fell in your garage.

If you hear this noise and your garage door won’t open, don’t try to force it. Continuing to operate a door with a broken spring can damage your opener or cause serious injury.

👉 Safety tip: Always call a professional technician. At Golden Coast Garage Doors, we offer same-day spring replacements across Naples and Fort Myers, restoring functionality safely and quickly.

3. The Door Opens Unevenly or Jerks When Moving

When one spring begins to fail — particularly in systems with dual springs — the door may open unevenly or jerk during operation. You might notice one side lifting faster than the other, or the door stopping halfway up.

This happens because one spring is carrying more weight than it should, which can cause the entire system to become misaligned.
If not repaired promptly, it can lead to broken cables, off-track rollers, or even warped panels.

✅ Pro Tip: Watch your garage door open fully and close completely. If the movement looks uneven or shaky, it’s time to schedule a garage door inspection before the damage spreads.

4. The Spring Looks Stretched, Gapped, or Rusty

Visual inspection is a simple but often overlooked maintenance step.
Look above your door near the top beam — you’ll see the coil-like spring. If you notice:

• Visible gaps in the coil,

• Rust or corrosion, or

• Elongation (the spring looks stretched),

then it’s near the end of its lifespan.

In coastal regions like Naples and Fort Myers, salt air and moisture accelerate rust, weakening the metal over time. Once corrosion sets in, the spring loses elasticity and can snap unexpectedly. Applying a silicone-based lubricant every few months can help prevent this, but once rust is visible, replacement is the safest option.

5. The Door Won’t Stay Open or Closes Too Fast

A garage door that drifts downward after being partially opened is another major warning sign.
If the springs no longer provide enough counterbalance, gravity takes over — causing the door to slam shut or drift down slowly but uncontrollably.

Not only does this make everyday use inconvenient, but it’s also a safety hazard. A door that closes too fast can injure people, damage your vehicle, or break the opener arm.

If you experience this issue, stop using the door immediately and contact a certified technician. The repair process involves resetting or replacing the tension system, which should only be done by professionals with proper tools and training.

How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?

Most torsion springs last between 7–10 years or around 10,000 cycles (one open and close counts as a cycle). However, Florida’s heat and humidity can shorten that lifespan, especially if regular maintenance isn’t performed.

To extend spring life:

• Lubricate the coils every 2–3 months.

• Avoid opening and closing the door unnecessarily.

• Schedule annual inspections with a trusted local expert.

At Golden Coast Garage Doors, we recommend proactive replacement if your door is more than a decade old — especially before hurricane season when reliable operation is critical.

Professional Garage Door Spring Replacement in Southwest Florida

Replacing garage door springs is not a DIY job. Because of the tension involved, even experienced homeowners risk severe injury.

Our certified technicians at Golden Coast Garage Doors provide:

• Professional spring replacement for all major garage door models

• Same-day service in Naples, Fort Myers, and surrounding areas

• Safety inspection of cables, rollers, and openers

• Optional upgrade to heavy-duty springs for extended lifespan

Whether you’re noticing uneven movement, unusual noise, or a heavy door, it’s best to schedule an inspection before it turns into a costly emergency repair.