Garage door torsion springs break primarily due to metal fatigue from normal wear and tear. Every time the door opens and closes, the metal coils wind and unwind. Over thousands of cycles, this repeated stress creates microscopic cracks within the steel until the spring eventually snaps.
The lifespan of garage door springs depends on their type and how often the door is used. Torsion Springs typically last longer, with 10,000–15,000 cycles. For example, opening and closing your door four times a day would give a torsion spring a lifespan of about 7–10 years.
The Cost of Replacing Just One Spring
In some cases, the uneven tension can even cause damage to your cables, drums, or opener. By replacing both springs together, you reset your system, ensuring balanced lifting power, maximum cycle life, and fewer repairs down the road.
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.
Garage door torsion springs break primarily due to metal fatigue from normal wear and tear. Every time the door opens and closes, the metal coils wind and unwind. Over thousands of cycles, this repeated stress creates microscopic cracks within the steel until the spring eventually snaps.
Yes, you can manually open a garage door with a broken spring, but proceed with extreme caution. A two-car garage door weighs well over 150-300 lbs, and the springs do the heavy lifting. Without them, you will bear the entire weight, creating a severe pinching or crushing hazard.
How to Close a Garage Door With a Broken Spring. To close your garage door, reverse the steps for opening it: Start moving the garage door down to get it out of its resting place on the horizontal rails. With another person, slowly guide the garage door down until it's closed.
No, you should not use standard WD-40 on garage door springs. Standard WD-40 is a water displacer and degreaser, not a lubricant. It will wash away existing grease, cause the springs to dry out, and can even attract dust and dirt.
Repairing garage doors, particularly replacing torsion springs, is dangerous work, whether you are a do-it-yourself homeowner or an experienced technician.
The best garage door springs depend on your system, but DURA-LIFT Torsion Springs (coated steel) and Wayne Dalton TorqueMaster (for specific proprietary systems) are widely considered top-tier choices. Torsion springs are safer and last longer than extension springs.
Longevity – By distributing the weight of the garage door between two torsion springs instead of the traditional single spring, they not only have an easier time lifting the door, but those springs will last longer too. That means fewer repair calls to the overhead door company.
Is it worth repairing a 20-year-old garage door opener? Generally, it's not. Garage door openers typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. A new opener is often a better purchase because it comes with updated safety features and runs more quietly.
Standard residential garage door torsion springs typically require 7.5 to 8.5 full turns (30 to 34 quarter turns). The exact number depends on your door height and cable drum size.
You should lubricate your garage door springs every 3 to 6 months. If you live in a high-humidity area, near the coast, or experience extreme weather changes, aim for the 3-month interval. Regular lubrication prevents rust, reduces friction, and extends the overall lifespan of the springs.
Yes, you should lubricate your garage door springs, but only if you have torsion springs (the large springs mounted on a metal bar directly above the closed door). If you have extension springs (which run along the sides of the horizontal tracks), they generally do not need lubrication.
Garage door springs break every 7 to 12 years on average. Instead of time, their lifespan is measured in "cycles" (one cycle = one full open and close). Most standard springs are rated for 10,000 cycles.
Yes, you can manually open a garage door with a broken spring, but it is extremely dangerous and requires significant physical effort. A standard garage door weighs between 100 to 350+ pounds, and the springs are specifically designed to bear that weight.
Opening a garage door with a broken torsion spring is dangerous because the heavy door (100–300+ lbs) is no longer counterbalanced. Do not use the automatic opener, as this can strip the gears or burn out the motor. The safest method is to manually lift the door with two people and clamp it open.
Can You Open a Garage Door with a Broken Spring? It's possible to open a garage door with a broken spring, but we don't recommend it. Trying to lift a broken door with your garage door opener can damage the motor, and a manual lift can put you, bystanders, vehicles and pets in danger.
Does home insurance cover garage door springs? Whether home insurance covers garage door springs depends on your policy and how the spring was damaged. If your policy covers your garage and the spring breaks due to a covered peril, it should cover garage spring repair.
Yes, you can replace a garage door spring yourself if you are an experienced DIYer with the right tools, but it is highly dangerous. Springs are under immense tension. Mishandling them can lead to severe injury, property damage, or worse. Always prioritize safety by wearing protective gear and proceeding cautiously.