Out of all parts of your garage door, its springs experience the greatest stress and are the most prone to breaking.
The most common reason your garage door springs break is wear and tear. When properly installed, your springs can last approximately 10,000 cycles. One cycle includes both the opening and closing of the door. Technically speaking, your springs should last between 7 to 10 years.
Expect to spend $120–$350 to replace your garage door spring, including material costs and professional installation. While these heavy-duty springs are built to last, they'll eventually need replacement due to wear and tear. Garage door spring replacement isn't your average DIY project, either.
If you have a broken spring, do not attempt to use the opener to open your garage door. It doesn't matter if you have the best opener on the market: Don't use your opener at all. Using your opener with a broken spring can result in all sorts of expensive problems, such as: Cracking or crumpling the door panels.
Torsion springs store immense tension and attempting to replace them yourself can be extremely dangerous, leading to serious injuries. Leave this to trained professionals equipped with the proper safety gear and knowledge.
If your garage door has a broken garage door spring, it is reasonably straightforward to replace if you are an experienced DIY enthusiast. The caveat is that you must be extremely careful when carrying out this procedure, as not following the correct safety measures can be dangerous.
While replacing both springs may involve a higher upfront cost, it can be more cost-effective in the long run. Replacing one spring now and having the other fail shortly afterward would require additional service calls and potentially higher overall expenses.
In general, all moving parts (i.e. garage door springs, rollers, hinges etc.) will need lubrication often – every three months or possibly more with heavy use or in some climates. The rails of your garage doors may need lubrication once a year but generally do not require much maintenance.
Make sure you always replace both springs when they snap, regardless of which side snapped first. A broken spring without a repaired or replaced second spring can be problematic – as the garage door will now be subject to extra pressure on only one side.
Uneven movement: If your garage door is moving unevenly, such as jerking or hesitating, this could be another indication also that the springs need adjustment. When the springs are not properly balanced, one side of the door may be heavier than the other, causing the door to move unevenly.
Signs of a Broken Garage Door Spring
This sound was most likely made by a sudden unwinding spring; when they break, it can create a loud crashing sound even if nothing fell.
While the most common reason garage doors springs break is general wear and tear, on average, garage door springs typically last between 7 to 9 years or approximately 10,000 cycles (one cycle is a full open and close of the door).
The most obvious sign your garage door spring is broken is that it's difficult or impossible to raise your garage door. Another is your garage door opener lifts your door about 3 inches and goes back down. However, if you still have one functioning garage door spring, your door may still work.
One of the most common garage door services is garage door spring repair. According to Angi, garage door spring replacement can cost between $150 and $350, including materials and labor. If additional repairs are required, you may spend up to $500. A double door generally costs an extra $15 to $30 per spring.
PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION AND REPAIR IS RECOMMENDED. Garage doors with broken springs should not be opened. Doors in this condition can be difficult to lift because the garage door opener loses the support springs provide in lifting and lowering the door.
Though many factors contribute to a garage door's lifespan, a typical garage door will last around 15 and 30 years. Your garage door's lifetime will vary depending on the type and brand you choose. Factors like the weather, environment, usage and maintenance schedule also impact the longevity of your garage door.
Replacing a garage door spring yourself isn't impossible, but it does require special knowledge about the springs and how a garage door works. To help homeowners who are interested in learning how to replace a garage door spring, let's take a closer look at how residential garage doors operate.
Regular maintenance is essential for prolonging the lifespan of garage door springs. Here are some recommended steps you can take to keep your garage door system functioning optimally: Lubrication: Regularly lubricate all moving parts of your garage door system, including the springs, rollers, hinges, and tracks.
To measure the extension spring close your garage door and use a measuring tape to measure the extension spring end to end. If you have a traditional garage door, it is likely a 7-foot door and will require a 25-inch spring.