Why Ignoring a Failed Spring Could Be Riskier Than You Think
Your garage door is one of the hardest-working parts of your home — opening and closing dozens of times a week, year after year. What most homeowners don’t realize is that the secret to smooth and safe movement lies in one pair of small but incredibly powerful components: the garage door springs.
These springs carry the tension that balances and supports the full weight of your garage door. When they fail, it’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a safety hazard that can lead to serious injuries and costly property damage.
The Hidden Danger Behind Broken Springs
Garage door springs, whether torsion or extension type, are under extreme tension — often equivalent to the force needed to lift hundreds of pounds of door weight. When one breaks, that tension doesn’t just disappear safely; it’s released suddenly and unpredictably.
That rapid release of stored energy can cause:
- Flying metal fragments: Broken spring ends or hardware can shoot across a garage at high speed.
- Sudden door collapse: Without spring support, a garage door can slam shut with tremendous force.
- Uncontrolled movement: The door may become unbalanced or stuck, putting strain on the opener or other parts.
These scenarios are more than theoretical — they’re why manuals explicitly warn homeowners not to attempt spring adjustments on their own. Improper handling of torsion springs can even result in serious or fatal injuries.
Real Risks to People and Property
As a Salida, CO homeowner, a broken garage door spring isn’t just a mechanical issue — it’s a potential liability.
Here’s how the risk plays out:
1. Injury to You or Loved Ones
A garage door that crashes down without warning can hit anyone standing underneath it. Broken springs have been linked to:
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Head or eye injuries from flying debris
Even attempting to manually operate a door with a broken spring — lifting it with your hands — can lead to strains or worse, because the door no longer has balanced support from its springs.
2. Property Damage
When a spring fails, the uncontrolled forces at play don’t just affect people — they affect property too. Common types of damage include:
- Dented or scratched vehicles parked inside the garage.
- Bent tracks or hardware from an uneven or crashing door.
- Strain on the garage door opener motor — which can lead to expensive repairs or replacements.
In extreme cases, pieces of metal from the broken spring can embed in nearby objects, adding repair bills homeowners didn’t budget for. –
Why DIY Isn’t the Answer
When faced with a broken spring, it might be tempting to watch a video and try a DIY fix. But garage door springs aren’t like replacing a light bulb — they hold hundreds of pounds of counterbalancing force. One mistake can result in the spring releasing with explosive energy.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and industry manuals both strongly advise that only trained technicians should work with these components.
Some typical DIY pitfalls include:
- Incorrect tensioning, which can make the problem worse
- Dropping the door during repair attempts
- Damaging other parts of the system
Professionals like the team at Rightly Garage Doors have the proper training, experience, and tools to safely handle high-tension springs so you avoid injuries — and expensive follow-up damage.
How to Know You’re in Danger
Often, a spring doesn’t fail without warning. Early signs you might notice include:
- Loud snapping or banging sounds as the spring breaks.
- Door feels heavy or won’t open smoothly.
- Uneven door movement or sagging on one side.
If you hear a loud bang coming from your garage, it’s more likely a spring breaking than anything else — and that’s a cue to stop using the door immediately and call a pro.
The Right Call for Salida, CO Homeowners
At Rightly Garage Doors in Salida, CO, we understand how stressful and dangerous a broken garage door spring can be. Our trained technicians arrive with the tools, safety equipment, and expertise to:
✅ Diagnose the issue quickly
✅ Replace broken springs safely
✅ Rebalance your door for smooth, reliable operation
✅ Prevent future failures with quality parts and maintenance
Ignoring a broken spring wastes an opportunity for a safe, easy fix — and only increases your risk of injury or damage.
In Summary
Yes — a broken garage door spring can absolutely cause serious injury and significant property damage if left unchecked. The stored tension in these springs makes them inherently dangerous when they fail.
That’s why you shouldn’t guess or DIY your way through this risk. A professional garage door technician from Rightly Garage Doors can get your system back on track — safely and quickly — so you and your family stay protected.
