What Causes a Garage Door Spring to Break: Top Reasons Explained
Published Date: Sep 25, 2025
The sharp snap of a broken garage door spring can catch anyone off guard. One moment, everything works fine — the next, your car’s stuck in or out of the garage. These springs carry the full weight of the door, and when one fails, the door often becomes too heavy to lift or won’t move at all. Whether you’re trying to avoid a sudden breakdown or you’ve dealt with spring trouble before, you’ll find real answers here. Up & Down Garage Doors explains what causes garage door springs to break, how to spot the early signs, and how to lower the chances of spring failure.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Break? Here’s What to Know
The short answer? Springs wear down with use. On average, springs last about 10,000 open-and-close cycles, which sounds like a lot — until you consider how often your garage door gets used in a typical week. Daily use adds up fast.
Other factors can speed up the breakdown process. Changes in temperature, poor installation, and missed maintenance are all common contributors. Over time, these elements add stress and reduce the lifespan of the spring.
In some cases, you may not realize there’s an issue until something goes wrong. For early indicators, check out our guide on the signs a garage door spring is broken.
Top Issues: What Causes a Garage Door Spring to Break
Let’s break down the most common triggers for spring failure. Understanding what causes a garage door spring to break can help you take action before it happens.
- Metal fatigue: Every time your door moves, the spring winds and unwinds. Over thousands of cycles, that motion wears down the steel, even when the spring was installed correctly.
- Rust and corrosion: Springs exposed to moisture or high humidity can rust, weakening the coils and shortening their lifespan.
- Lack of maintenance: A spring that’s never lubricated or checked for wear is more likely to fail. Maintenance helps reduce friction and keeps the system moving smoothly.
- Incorrect spring tension: If the tension isn’t set right for the door’s weight, the spring will be under constant strain, wearing it out far faster.
- Wrong size spring: A heavier door needs stronger springs. If the wrong size is installed, it may not hold up to daily use.
- Poor installation: Springs that are not properly aligned or secured can break prematurely or cause uneven wear.
- Temperature extremes: Cold makes metal brittle, and heat causes expansion — both stress the spring more than usual, especially in changing seasons.
So, why does a garage door spring break in the first place? It’s usually not just one thing — it’s a mix of wear, use, weather, and setup that slowly adds up over time.
How to Prevent a Broken Spring Before It Happens
You now know what causes garage door springs to break, so let’s look at how you can prevent it from happening in the first place.
Here are a few smart, low-effort ways to extend the life of your garage door springs:
- Lubricate regularly: Use a silicone-based spray to coat the spring every few months. It reduces friction and helps prevent rust.
- Get seasonal checkups: Schedule professional inspections once or twice a year (especially before winter or after heavy use).
- Don’t ignore early signs: If the door feels heavier, moves unevenly, or makes loud noises, get it checked before the spring fully fails.
- Replace both springs together: On two-spring systems, replacing only one may create an imbalance. Ask your technician for their recommendation.
- Use your door wisely: If possible, limit unnecessary opens and closes, especially in extreme heat or cold.
- Avoid pulling the emergency release when the door is open: Unless it’s a real emergency, only use the release handle when the door is fully closed to prevent sudden drops or added tension on worn springs.
Most spring failures can be avoided with routine attention. So, if you’re wondering “why do garage door springs break?” or looking for ways to avoid costly garage door repairs, consistent maintenance is the key.
Need Help with a Spring? Call Up & Down Garage Doors
If your spring is showing signs of wear — or has already snapped — it’s best to avoid DIY fixes. Springs hold high tension and can be very dangerous if handled without the right tools and training.
Homeowners rely on Up & Down Garage Doors for safe, professional help when it matters most. Whether you’re looking to replace a broken spring or just stay ahead of the next one, you can count on our team.
Explore our garage door spring service to learn more or schedule a visit today.
