Why garage door springs break in Chicago winters

Every winter our phones get busier with one call more than any other: "I heard a loud bang and now my garage door won't open." Nine times out of ten, that's a broken spring.

Why cold weather is hard on springs

Garage door springs are tightly wound steel. They stretch and twist every time your door opens and closes, and each spring is rated for a certain number of cycles, often around 10,000. In freezing temperatures steel becomes slightly more brittle, and any rust or worn spots become weak points. A spring that has been tired for months often gives out on the first really cold morning.

Warning signs before a spring breaks

• The door feels heavier when you lift it by hand
• The door doesn't stay put when you stop it halfway
• The opener strains, slows down or sounds louder than usual
• You can see gaps, rust or stretching in the spring coils
• The door closes faster than it used to

If you notice any of these, book a tune-up before winter. Replacing a worn spring on your schedule is much easier than dealing with a car trapped in the garage on a January morning.

What to do if your spring breaks

1. Leave the door closed. With a broken spring, the door can weigh 150 to 300 pounds.
2. Unplug the opener so it doesn't keep straining.
3. Don't touch the spring or the cables. They hold dangerous tension.
4. Call a technician. We answer 24/7 at (847) 952-9811.

Should you replace both springs?

If your door has two springs and they were installed at the same time, we usually recommend replacing both. When one breaks, the other has done the same number of cycles and is likely close behind. Replacing both at once saves a second visit.

How to make springs last longer

A yearly tune-up keeps springs lubricated and balanced, which reduces wear. If your family uses the garage door as the main entrance, ask about high-cycle springs, which are rated for many more open-and-close cycles.

Have a question about your springs? Use our door problem helper or call us any time.