2026-03-16 6 min read
One of the most common calls we get here in Aurora is from a homeowner standing in front of a garage door that simply won't open. The car is inside, they're already late, and they have no idea what happened. In the vast majority of those situations, the culprit is a broken torsion spring. and in most of those cases, there were warning signs in the days or weeks before the failure.
Spring failures aren't random. They follow a predictable pattern of wear, and once you know what to watch for, you can get ahead of the problem before it strands you in the driveway.
Your garage door weighs anywhere from 150 to 400 pounds depending on the material and size. The springs. usually torsion springs mounted horizontally above the door on a metal shaft. store mechanical energy when wound tightly, then release it to assist in lifting that weight. Without functioning springs, your opener motor would have to shoulder that entire load alone, which it isn't designed to do.
Most standard torsion springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles. One cycle equals one full open and close. A household that uses the door three to four times daily will reach that threshold in roughly seven to nine years. That number drops faster in Aurora's environment, where high humidity accelerates corrosion on the spring coils and shortens the metal's working life.
Hurricane season. which runs from June through November along the North Carolina coast. also plays a role. Repeated pressure changes, power outages that trigger manual door operation, and the aftermath of storm events in Beaufort County all add cycles and stress to a spring that may already be aging. Homeowners in low-lying areas near the Pamlico River know that storms here can be serious; after Hurricane Irene, some waterfront homes in Pamlico and Beaufort counties were badly damaged by storm surge, and families had to deal with their garage systems in compromised conditions. Having hardware that's in good shape before storm season matters.
This is often the first thing homeowners notice. The door hasn't changed, but lifting it manually now takes noticeably more effort. The spring's primary role is to counterbalance the door's weight. so a compromised spring makes lifting the door unmanageable and puts extra strain on the opener mechanism. If your door feels like it gained 50 pounds overnight, don't ignore it.
Here's a simple test: disconnect the automatic opener by pulling the red emergency release cord, then try to lift the door manually to waist height. If the springs are in good condition, the door should stay in that position when you let go. If it falls back down or won't stay up, the springs likely need attention.
A properly functioning garage door makes some noise. that's normal. What you're listening for is a change. Grinding or scraping sounds often indicate worn rollers or tracks, but they can also signal a spring that's losing tension. Squeaking or screeching typically points to a lack of lubrication, though persistent squeaking can also indicate a spring putting extra stress on other components.
The most dramatic sound is one you won't miss: when a torsion spring breaks, it releases a significant amount of stored tension all at once, creating a loud noise that sounds like a gunshot or something heavy falling. If you hear that coming from the garage, stop using the door immediately. Check our FAQ page for guidance on what to do next.
Look up at the spring mounted above your door. Torsion springs are tightly wound coils. there should be no visible separation between them. If you notice a gap of about two inches or more in the spring, that means it has snapped. Do not attempt to operate the door if you see this. The door is effectively unsupported and should not be used until the spring is replaced.
This one is particularly relevant for Aurora homeowners. Over time, springs corrode due to moisture and show visible signs of wear like rust, discoloration, or elongation. A rusty spring is more brittle and prone to snapping. and in our climate, a spring that looks lightly rusted in October may be significantly weakened by spring. Visually inspect the springs monthly. It takes thirty seconds and could save you an emergency service call.
If one side of the door rises faster than the other, or if the door shudders and stops during operation, that's a balance problem. When springs were installed, they were calibrated to work together for smooth door operation. so balance issues are one of the clearest signs that something has shifted. An uneven door also puts lateral stress on the tracks and cable drums, which can turn a spring problem into a more expensive multi-component repair. You can read more about related opener symptoms in our opener troubleshooting guide.
Garage door springs are under extraordinary tension. Replacing torsion springs is a complex and potentially dangerous task. attempting it without proper knowledge and tools can lead to severe injuries. This is not a DIY project. Do not attempt to wind, unwind, or remove springs yourself. Do not prop the door open with chairs, ladders, or other improvised supports while waiting for service. If a spring is visibly broken, leave the door where it is and call a professional.
Garage Door Aurora handles spring replacements for homeowners throughout Aurora and surrounding areas including Pantego, Belhaven, and Pinetown. Our service areas page has the full coverage zone. When both springs are replaced at the same time. even if only one has broken. the pair experiences equal wear going forward, which is the right long-term approach.
If your door is heavily used, you're on a property that sees frequent storm-related manual operation, or you simply want to avoid going through this process every seven to nine years, ask about high-cycle springs. These are rated for 25,000 to 50,000 cycles, cost more upfront, but last significantly longer and are worth considering on new installations or full door replacements.
Q: Can I still use my garage door if one spring is broken? A: No. A door with a broken spring is unsupported and places enormous strain on the opener, cables, and remaining hardware. Operating it can damage the opener motor and potentially cause the door to drop unexpectedly. Leave the door in place and call for service.
Q: Should both springs be replaced at the same time, even if only one broke? A: Yes, and this is standard professional practice. Both springs were installed at the same time and have accumulated the same wear. If one has failed, the other is close behind. Replacing both ensures balanced operation and avoids paying for two separate service calls within a short window.
Q: How does Aurora's humidity affect how long springs last? A: Significantly. Moisture accelerates corrosion on the spring coils, making the metal more brittle over time. In high-humidity environments like Aurora. where the air off the Pamlico River keeps moisture levels elevated year-round. springs near the end of their rated cycle life may fail earlier than the seven-to-nine-year average. Lubricating the coils every three months with a silicone-based product and keeping the garage ventilated helps extend their working life.