Springs on your garage door work on the principle of tension. They store mechanical energy when you close the door and release this energy to open it effortlessly. There are two types: torsion springs, which sit above the closed door, and extension springs, which are found along the tracks on either side. Both types can snap due to wear and tear or corrosion over time.A clear sign of a broken spring is if your garage door won't open or does so very slowly or unevenly. Another telltale sign is if you hear loud bangs from your garage – often what happens when a spring gives way unexpectedly.