How to Determine That a Garage Door Spring Has Broken

Garage doors have multiple parts that work together to ensure that it opens and closes smoothly and easily. These parts include the sensor eye, the opener drive and either a torsion or extension spring. Let’s look at a couple ways that you can tell that the spring has broken.

The Door Only Moves a Few Inches When the Remote Is Pushed

When the garage door spring is broken, the door itself will only move slightly when the remote opener button is pressed. Generally speaking, it will open a few inches before closing again because there isn’t enough power to help lift it all the way. Assuming that the door does move, you can rule out a sensor issue or problem with the signal between the opener and the door itself.

You Won’t Be Able to Lift the Door by Hand

When the power goes out, you may not be able to open the door with your electric opener. However, you can generally lift or shut the door manually with little effort. In the event that a spring breaks, the door will feel as if it weighs 100 pounds or more. This is because you are literally trying to move something that weighs 100 pounds or more without any leverage.

You’ll Need to Get a Garage Door Spring Fixed Quickly

Even if your vehicle is in the driveway when a spring snaps, it is important to get it checked out by a garage door repair Long Beach service provider. Doing so will ensure that the door doesn’t stay stuck in one position, which can make it difficult to enter the home or secure it from intruders.