2026-03-30 7 min read
If you've lived in Kenly for any length of time, you already know the weather doesn't go easy on anything metal. Summers here are genuinely hot and muggy, with temperatures regularly climbing toward the upper 80s. Winters bring short, sharp cold snaps that can push lows into the low 30s. sometimes dipping below freezing overnight and warming back up by afternoon. That back-and-forth is rough on your garage door springs, and most homeowners don't realize there's a problem until the door simply refuses to open one morning.
This guide is about catching the warning signs early, understanding why springs fail in this climate, and knowing when to call a professional. before a broken spring leaves you stuck in the driveway.
Garage door springs fail for a handful of reasons, and several of them are made worse by the environment right here in Johnston County. Rust and corrosion are probably the biggest culprits in this region. Moisture in the air. especially in an unconditioned garage during those long muggy summers. causes corrosion to develop on the spring's metal surface. Once rust sets in, it increases friction between the coils, forcing the spring to work harder every single time the door moves. That extra stress compounds over months and years.
Then there's the temperature swing problem. Cold weather causes metal to contract and become more brittle, making springs more susceptible to snapping. which is exactly why many spring failures happen on cold winter mornings. Meanwhile, the summer heat causes metal to expand and weaken over time. For homeowners in Kenly, Selma, and other Johnston County communities with uninsulated or lightly insulated garages, this seasonal stress cycle hits every single year.
Most standard residential springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles, which translates to roughly 7,10 years of average use. But if your garage door is your primary entry point. which is the case for most homes around here. you may be running through those cycles faster than you think.
The good news is that springs rarely fail without giving some kind of warning. Here's what to look and listen for:
Creaking, grinding, or popping noises when you open or close the door are often the first sign something is off. A healthy door should operate with a relatively smooth, consistent sound. If you're hearing squealing or scraping, that's often friction from corroded coils. a sign it's time for lubrication at minimum, or inspection by a technician.
Spring systems counterbalance the weight of your door. If the door suddenly feels heavier than usual when you lift it manually, or if your opener seems to be straining more than it used to, the springs may have lost tension or be partially failing. A door that moves sluggishly often indicates a weakened spring that needs attention.
This is a classic sign of a broken spring. When a spring fails, the door may open only six to twelve inches before the opener's auto-reverse safety feature kicks in. If your door does this, stop using it immediately. Continuing to run the opener against a broken spring can burn out the motor and cause expensive secondary damage.
If you look at the torsion spring mounted above your garage door opening and see a visible gap or separation in the coil, that spring is broken. Rusty springs. ones that appear brownish or pitted. signal corrosion and an increased risk of sudden failure, even if they haven't broken yet.
Springs on either side of the door must work in balance. If one fails and the other doesn't, the door can tilt or close unevenly. A door that slams shut instead of lowering smoothly has lost the counterbalance it depends on.
If you spot any of the warning signs above, the most important thing is simple: stop using the door. Forcing the opener to work against a broken or failing spring puts serious strain on the motor and drive system. It can also cause the door to drop suddenly, which is a real safety hazard for anyone nearby.
You can safely do a few things yourself. A visual inspection of the spring. looking for rust, gaps, or visible deformation. is completely safe from a distance. You can also test the door's balance by disconnecting the opener and lifting the door manually about halfway; a properly balanced door should stay in place without drifting up or down. If it drops, the springs need attention.
What you should not do is attempt to adjust, repair, or replace the springs yourself. Torsion springs operate under enormous tension, and a spring that snaps during a DIY repair can cause serious injury. This is work for a trained technician with the right tools. Check out our frequently asked questions if you're unsure what a service visit involves.
The single best thing you can do for your springs in a humid climate like ours is keep them lubricated. A silicone-based garage door spray applied a couple of times a year. ideally once in the spring before the humid season and once heading into winter. reduces friction and helps keep moisture from getting a foothold on the metal. If you live somewhere with a lot of road dust or pollen (and Kenly gets its share of both), leaning toward three applications a year isn't overkill.
When it's time for replacement, ask about having both springs replaced at the same time. Installing a new spring alongside a worn one creates uneven tension. the newer spring carries more load, wears faster, and the second spring tends to fail within months anyway. Replacing both at once is almost always the smarter move financially.
For a broader look at keeping your door in shape year-round, our post on preparing your garage door for hot weather covers additional maintenance steps worth adding to your routine.
If you're seeing any of the warning signs described here, don't wait for a complete failure. Schedule a service visit with Kenly Garage Doors and get eyes on the system before a broken spring leaves you dealing with a much bigger problem.
Q: How do I know if my garage door spring is broken versus just worn?
A broken spring usually shows a visible gap in the coil, causes the door to open only a few inches, or produces a loud bang when it snaps. A worn spring may not be broken yet but will show rust, stretching, or reduced lifting power. Either situation warrants a professional inspection before failure gets worse.
Q: Is it safe to drive my car out if I think a spring is broken?
If the door won't open at all, do not force it with the opener. you risk damaging the motor. If you have a manual release cord, you can attempt to lift the door by hand, but be aware that a door with a broken spring is extremely heavy and can drop without warning. The safest call is to reach out to a technician first.
Q: How long should garage door springs last in Kenly's climate?
Standard springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles. With average use, that's roughly 7,10 years. In a humid environment like ours, springs that aren't regularly lubricated may wear out sooner due to corrosion. If your home's housing stock dates from the early 1980s. as much of Kenly's does. and the springs have never been replaced, they're likely overdue for inspection.