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.
Wear Over Time
One of the main reasons your garage door springs break is because of the wear and tear they experience over time. The springs actually do the work in lifting your garage door when it opens and lowering it when it closes.
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.
You can open a garage door that has a broken torsion spring, but it will take some amount of manual effort. You should not try to use your garage door opener. Since a broken spring will not help lift the heavy door, using your opener could burn out the motor.
One way to keep your garage-door springs functioning at their best is to make sure to lubricate them a few times a year with white lithium grease. You can also check the balance of your garage door once every few months. To do this, put the door in manual mode, lift the door up 4 or 5 feet (1 to 2 meters), and let go.
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.
Replacing a garage door spring yourself isn't impossible, but it does require special knowledge about the springs and how a garage door works.
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).
Replacing garage door springs takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. New garage door springs last 7 to 14 years, or between 10,000 and 20,000 up-and-down cycles. It is important to hire a professional to help, because changing a garage door spring can be dangerous.
Locate the emergency release cord hanging from the center rail of the garage door track and pull it down and toward the back of the garage to engage the manual mode. Secure the Door: Use a sturdy ladder to reach the manual release cord. Pull it down and secure the door in place with a clamp or a pair of vice grips.
A garage door can still open if the spring is broken, but it will take some manual effort. Using your garage door opener could burn out the motor since the broken spring makes the garage door heavier. We recommend not attempting to open your garage door if it has a broken spring.
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.
One of the most common causes of a broken garage door spring is excessive tension on the spring. When the spring is under too much tension, it can become weak and eventually break.
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.
Warranties and Service
Most garage door springs – even standard manufacturer products – include lifetime warranties or those that extend well beyond the life expectancy of the parts. These warranties, however, do not include service and labor.
Standard manufacturer garage door springs have an average lifecycle of about 10,000 cycles, equivalent to approximately 48 months when used daily. Oil-tempered garage door springs show improved endurance, lasting for about 15,000 cycles, which translates roughly to a 10-year lifespan with regular use.
Lubrication: Regularly lubricate all moving parts of your garage door system, including the springs, rollers, hinges, and tracks. Use a silicone-based lubricant to ensure adequate protection against rust and wear.
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.
There are many dangers associated with repairing garage door springs yourself. DIY garage door repairs can result in serious injury and even death.
Technically, a garage door can open and close without springs, but it poses significant challenges and risks. Operating a garage door without springs can lead to: Increased Physical Effort: The absence of springs makes the door extremely heavy, requiring more force to move.
Wear and Tear Over Time
On average, garage door springs are rated for 10,000 cycles, which translates to about 7-10 years of regular use for most households. For homeowners who use their garage as the primary entrance, the springs may wear out even faster.
It is clear that opening a garage door with a broken spring, whether manually or using the opener, is dangerous and potentially damaging to the door and the opener and can incur additional costs. The safety risks involved cannot be overstated.
How many springs does a garage door have? A garage door typically has one to four springs, depending on the size and weight. For example, residential single-car garages are often single-spring garage doors and residential two-car garages are often dual-spring garage doors.