If your door feels heavy, won't open fully, or makes a loud bang when in use, the spring may be broken. In most systems, springs do the heavy lifting—not the opener. A broken spring can stop your door completely or make it operate unevenly. If the cables are also loose or snapped, it's best to stop using the door until it's checked.

Grinding, squeaking, or popping sounds typically come from dry rollers, loose brackets, or a misaligned track. Sometimes, the opener is straining to lift due to worn springs or unbalanced weight. These sounds signal stress in the system, and ignoring them could lead to a full breakdown. A garage door should move smoothly and quietly—if it's noisy, something likely needs service.

In Happy Valley, wet and cold seasons increase the chance of rusted springs, swollen panels, and noisy operation. Doors with wood overlays can expand, while older steel components may corrode or seize up. We often get service calls in early spring after winter damage. Seasonal tune-ups are especially helpful in this region to keep things aligned, lubricated, and moving without strain.

It’s not safe to continue using a door that’s off track, even if it seems minor. Running the opener can bend the tracks, break rollers, or damage the door panels. A door off by even an inch can collapse or jam unexpectedly. In Happy Valley, we’ve seen small misalignments lead to snapped cables and costly opener failures—early repairs save time and money.