A typical garage door opener lasts around 10 to 15 years, and at the end of that service life, it may begin to fail. If you own an older system, watch for signs that it needs to be replaced. Knowing what to look for makes it easier to get help before the door fails entirely.  

The spring is one of the most important parts of any garage door, and when it breaks, it can be a big problem. Without a functional torsion spring, opening and closing the door can become difficult to impossible. Fortunately, there are ways to tell when the torsion spring is in trouble. With careful observation and by being proactive, you can get help from a professional before the situation becomes dire. Here's what you need to know.