My garage door opener won't close all the way—the sensors keep stopping it. What's wrong?

Safety sensors sit on either side of your door and create an invisible beam. If that beam is blocked or misaligned, your opener won't let the door close—that's the safety system doing its job. Check for dust, spider webs, or anything covering the sensor eyes first. If they look clean, the brackets may have shifted slightly from vibration over time. We can realign them in minutes, or if one sensor is damaged, replacement is affordable and quick.

What happens to my garage door if the power goes out?

Without a battery backup, you're stuck—you can't use the remote or wall button. Most modern openers accept a battery backup unit that keeps your door operational for several open/close cycles during an outage. It won't restore power to lights, but you'll get in and out when you need to. Battery backups run $150–$300 depending on the opener model. Perfect for Falcon's occasional weather events when you need reliable access.

My door has come off the tracks. Can you fix it, or is it a total replacement?

Off-track doors are usually fixable if the tracks aren't severely bent. We carefully lift the door back onto the tracks, check alignment, and inspect for damage that caused the slip in the first place—often worn rollers or a bent track section. Most off-track calls cost less than a new door. However, if tracks are crumpled or the door frame itself is damaged, we'll recommend replacement options and walk you through the best choice for your home.

Should I choose steel, aluminum, wood, or composite for my new door?

Steel is durable and affordable, with excellent insulation options—ideal for most Falcon homes. Aluminum is lightweight and modern-looking but less insulating. Real wood offers classic appeal and charm but requires maintenance to resist weather damage. Composites blend wood aesthetics with low maintenance and solid insulation. Your choice depends on your home's style, budget, and how much upkeep you're willing to do. We can show you samples and discuss durability in our local climate.

What's the difference between torsion and extension springs, and which do I need?

Torsion springs wind tightly above your door and provide smooth, balanced operation. They're safer, last longer, and fit in tight spaces. Extension springs run along the sides and stretch to lift the door—less expensive upfront but wear faster and pose a pinching hazard. Most modern homes use torsion. Your existing setup tells us which type you have. If you're upgrading, torsion is the better long-term investment, though we'll quote both options.

How much insulation do I really need in Falcon's climate?

Falcon's temperature swings—hot summers and cold winters—mean an R-value of at least R-12 is worth the investment. R-18 is better if your garage is attached or you spend time out there. Higher insulation also reduces noise and keeps your door quieter. The upfront cost is modest compared to energy savings and comfort. If your garage is detached or unheated, a lower R-value works fine and saves money. We'll help you pick the right balance for your situation.

How do I know if my springs are failing, or is something else wrong?

A broken spring usually means the door won't open with the remote—it feels heavy or won't budge. You might hear a loud bang before it fails. If your door opens slowly or unevenly, springs are likely worn. However, slow opening can also mean a weak opener, dirty tracks, or roller problems. Don't try to lift a door with broken springs—it's dangerous. Call us to diagnose. A spring replacement typically costs $200–$400 and takes an hour.

How do I get an accurate quote over the phone?

Tell us your door's width and height (usually 8x7 or 16x7), whether it's one or two sections, and what you're looking for—repair, spring replacement, or a new door. Describe any visible damage or issues you've noticed. If you're replacing the door, mention your home's style so we can suggest colors and materials that match. Photos help, but a clear description works fine. We'll give you a reliable range immediately and schedule a free in-person estimate if needed.

Do I need HOA approval or building permits for a new garage door?

Some Falcon neighborhoods have HOA rules about door color, style, or materials—especially in planned communities. It's worth checking your HOA documents first. Building permits for door replacement are rarely required in our area, but a new garage structure might need one. We're familiar with local codes and can advise you before you order. If your HOA has restrictions, we'll show you options that comply while still looking great on your home.

Why Garage Door Springs Fail in Falcon: And What to Do About It

2026-03-30 7 min read

If you've ever walked into your garage on a cold morning and heard a loud bang. or worse, pressed the button and watched nothing happen. there's a good chance a torsion spring gave out overnight. It's one of the most common calls we get at Falcon Garage Doors, and it's no coincidence that a disproportionate number of them come in late winter and early spring.

Living out here on the eastern plains of El Paso County means dealing with weather that doesn't pick a lane. Overnight lows can drop well into the teens or twenties while afternoon highs swing into the 50s and 60s. That daily cycle of contraction and expansion is hard on every metal component in your garage door system, but springs take the worst of it.

What's Actually Happening to Your Springs

Garage door springs are made of high-tension steel, and when temperatures drop, that metal contracts and becomes more brittle. The repeated stress of contracting at night and expanding during the day accelerates wear. and by the time late winter rolls around, a spring that was already near the end of its service life doesn't need much of a push to snap. Cold weather doesn't create the problem so much as it exposes the one that was already building.

Most builder-grade torsion springs. the kind installed in the majority of Falcon's newer subdivisions like Meridian Ranch, Woodmen Hills, and Paintbrush Hills. are rated for around 10,000 cycles. For a household that uses the garage as the primary entry point and is opening and closing the door four or five times a day, that rating can translate to as little as five or six years of use before failure becomes likely.

If you want to understand the full picture of how your door's mechanical components work together, our garage door feature checklist breaks down each part of the system in plain language.

Torsion vs. Extension Springs

Most homes built in Falcon over the past two decades use torsion springs. the horizontal coil mounted above the door opening. These are generally smoother, safer, and better-suited to Colorado's climate than the older extension spring setup (which stretches along the side tracks). If your home is one of the custom acreage properties north of Rex Road or an older build along Highway 24, you may still have extension springs, which are worth upgrading when the time comes.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Springs rarely fail without giving some notice first. Pay attention to these:

- Slow or jerky movement when the door opens. especially on cold mornings, A door that feels unusually heavy when you lift it manually, Visible gaps or separation in the coil of the spring itself, Squeaking or grinding that wasn't there six months ago, The opener straining and running longer than usual

Cold temperatures can also thicken lubricants or dry them out entirely, which forces the entire system to work harder and puts added strain on springs that are already fatigued. A basic lubrication of the spring coils, hinges, and rollers with a proper garage door lubricant (not WD-40) goes a long way in late fall before the cold sets in.

What to Do When a Spring Breaks

This is straightforward: don't try to operate the door. A broken spring means the door's weight is no longer balanced, and forcing the opener to compensate can damage the motor, snap the cables, or cause the door to come down hard and fast. Torsion springs operate under serious tension, and replacing them without the right tools and training is genuinely dangerous.

The right move is to call a professional and, if possible, disengage the opener and leave the door in whatever position it's in until someone can get out to assess it. You can check our frequently asked questions for guidance on what to do in an emergency situation.

When replacing a broken spring, it's worth having both springs replaced at the same time. even if only one has failed. They're typically the same age and have logged the same number of cycles, so the second one is usually not far behind. Replacing both at once saves a return service call and keeps the door balanced.

Consider Upgrading to High-Cycle Springs

If your home in Falcon or nearby Peyton sees the garage used heavily. multiple vehicles, teenagers coming and going, a home-based business. it makes sense to step up to high-cycle torsion springs rated for 20,000 to 30,000 cycles. That can effectively double or triple the service life compared to builder-grade hardware, and the cost difference is modest relative to a repeat repair call in two or three years.

For homes on larger lots or acreage where the garage is also used for workshops, equipment storage, or a recreational vehicle, the investment in better-quality springs pays for itself quickly.

Don't Skip the Inspection

Spring replacement is also a good time to look at the full system. Check the cables for fraying, the rollers for cracking or wear, and the bottom seal for cracking caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Weather stripping that's gone brittle over winter lets in cold air, moisture, dust. and that's a real issue in the open country east of Colorado Springs where wind-blown grit is a year-round reality. Our guide on the real value of regular maintenance covers what a thorough annual inspection should include and what it actually saves you over time.

If you're seeing any of these warning signs or just want a professional set of eyes on your system before a spring lets go at the worst possible moment, get in touch with our team. we serve Falcon and the surrounding communities including Peyton, Calhan, and Ellicott.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do garage door springs typically last in Falcon's climate? A: Builder-grade springs are rated for roughly 10,000 cycles, which translates to about 7,10 years under normal use. Falcon's cold winters and significant day-to-night temperature swings can shorten that lifespan, particularly if springs aren't lubricated regularly. High-cycle springs rated at 20,000,30,000 cycles are a worthwhile upgrade for busy households.

Q: Can I open my garage door manually if a spring breaks? A: Technically yes, but it's not recommended. Without a functioning spring, the door's full weight is unsupported. a heavy steel door can weigh 150,300 pounds. If you must open it, disengage the opener, get another person to help, and keep children and pets well clear. The better option is to leave the door in place and call for service.

Q: Should I replace both springs even if only one broke? A: Yes, in most cases. Both springs were installed at the same time and have logged the same number of cycles. If one has failed, the other is likely near its limit. Replacing both at once keeps the door balanced and avoids a second service call. and a second labor charge. in the near future.

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