When a garage door is unsafe to use: warning signs
Warning signs that mean stop using the garage door: a bang, a gap in a spring, frayed cable, a heavy or crooked door, a failed reverse test. What to do next.
Most garage door problems are an annoyance. A few are not. This guide lists the signs that mean you should stop using the door, keep people clear, and have a technician look at it. Look from a safe distance, and do not operate the door to find out what is wrong.
The rule: when in doubt, stop
Do not operate a door you think is damaged
Do not use the remote, the wall button, the manual release or your hands on a door that is crooked, stuck, off its track, hanging by one side or showing any sign below. Do not touch springs, cables, brackets or the bottom fixtures. DASMA calls springs arguably the most important and most dangerous part of the door and says brackets are under extreme tension. Keep children, pets and vehicles clear of the door.
A damaged door can fall or shift without warning. Operating it to see what happens is how people get hurt. Everything in this guide can be seen from the floor, with the door at rest.
Signs of a spring problem
A1 Garage Door Service lists the warning signs of a spring failure, and Clopay describes similar ones. If you notice any of them, A1 says to stop using the door and call a professional immediately.
- A loud bang from the garage, followed by a door that will not lift or lifts unevenly.
- A gap in a torsion spring coil. A1 says this usually means a snapped spring.
- A door that feels very heavy when lifted, or that will not open at all.
- A door that will not stay halfway open. A1 lists this as a failed balance test.
- Uneven or jerky movement. A1 says this can mean one extension spring has failed.
- Screeching, grinding or clanging noises. Clopay says these can point to a worn or broken spring.
- Visible damage. Clopay says to look for cracks, rust or deformities on the springs.
Cold makes a spring more likely to fail. Clopay says spring wire becomes more brittle and weaker in cold temperatures. More in signs a garage door spring is broken and winter garage door care in NJ.
Signs of a cable, track or roller problem
- Frayed or slack lift cables. Clopay says frayed cables are a risk of serious injury or property damage. DASMA says only trained technicians should replace them.
- A safety cable that is missing or frayed on an extension spring system. A1 says damaged cables mean a snapped spring may not be contained.
- A door that is crooked or lower on one side.
- A roller that has left the track, or a track that is bent, twisted or loose. Clopay's checklist includes bends, twists and secure attachment of the tracks.
- Bent or broken hinges.
See frayed or snapped garage door cable, garage door off its track and garage door hangs crooked for what each looks like.
Signs of an opener or safety problem
- The door does not reverse when it meets an obstruction. CPSC advises disengaging the opener until it is adjusted, repaired or replaced.
- The photo eyes do not work. Genie lists disconnecting its sensors only as a last-resort diagnostic step. Do not bypass them.
- The door slams shut or will not stay open. Chamberlain says to stop and contact a professional if the door is unusually heavy, will not stay open or slams shut.
- The door reverses or stops partway. This can have several causes, so have it inspected.
What you can safely check
None of these require touching the door, and none require the door to move.
- Stand on the floor, away from the door and clear of its path.
- Look at the springs for a gap, a stretched coil or a separated end.
- Look at the lift cables at both bottom corners for fraying or slack.
- Look at both sides of the door. Is one side lower, or is a roller out of its track?
- Look at the panels for cracks or a section that is buckled.
- Take photos from where you stand, so a technician can see what you see.
If the door has been working and the only issue is a squeak, see what to lubricate and why a garage door is noisy. Squeaks alone are not a stop sign. DASMA says squeaking springs are usually normal, and suggests a spray-on lubricant first.
When to stop and bring in a technician
Bring in a technician when you see any sign in the sections above, and in these cases:
- You cannot tell whether the door is safe.
- The door is stuck partly open or closed. See garage door stuck open or closed.
- A vehicle, person or pet is trapped or at risk. Get help right away.
- You have been told the springs are old. Clopay says springs are usually rated for about 10,000 cycles, and recommends replacement if the home is seven or more years old, the door is used daily and the springs have never been replaced.
Leave the door where it is and do not operate it. Do not use the manual release on a door you suspect has a spring or cable problem. Chamberlain says the door may fall rapidly and without warning. Our technicians inspect the door, confirm the cause first, and repair or replace the parts. See garage door repair, spring replacement and cable repair.
Related services
Sources
Need a technician?
If something on your door looks damaged, stay clear and let a technician handle it.
Questions and answers
Can I use my garage door if one spring is broken?
No. A1 says to stop using the door and call a professional if you see a warning sign. A broken spring leaves the door heavy and unbalanced. Do not run the opener or use the manual release.
Is a squeaking garage door unsafe?
Not by itself. DASMA says squeaking springs are usually normal and suggests trying a spray-on lubricant first. If the noise persists, or comes with a bang, a heavy door or uneven movement, stop and have it checked.
My door will not reverse in the test. Can I keep using it?
CPSC advises disengaging the opener until it is adjusted, repaired or replaced. Keep children and pets away from the door.
Can I fix a frayed cable myself?
No. DASMA says only a trained technician should replace lift cables on the bottom brackets because of the spring tension. Clopay says not to remove the bottom brackets while the door is under tension.
How old is too old for garage door springs?
Clopay says springs are usually rated for about 10,000 cycles and recommends replacement when the home is seven or more years old, the door is used daily and the springs have never been replaced. A technician can tell you more for your door.
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