Garage door springs counterbalance the weight of the door, letting a motor that’s only fractionally as strong as the door itself lift it smoothly. There are two types: torsion springs (mounted horizontally above the door) and extension springs (running along the upper tracks).
Signs a spring is failing or has broken
- A loud bang from the garage, often followed by the door refusing to open
- The door feels unusually heavy when lifted manually
- A visible gap in the coil of a torsion spring
- The door opens unevenly or one side drops faster than the other
Why this isn’t a DIY repair
Springs are under extreme tension - torsion springs in particular can cause serious injury if released improperly. Professional technicians use calibrated winding bars and follow a specific sequence to safely release and replace tension. Most reputable companies won’t recommend homeowners attempt this themselves.
What to expect from a repair visit
A typical spring replacement takes 45 minutes to a couple of hours depending on door size and spring type. Technicians will usually recommend replacing both springs in a pair even if only one has failed, since the other is under equal wear and likely to fail soon after.