2024-01-05 5 min read Mike Johnson
Garage door springs are among the most dangerous components in your home. Under extreme tension, sometimes holding hundreds of pounds of force, they do the heavy lifting every time your door opens and closes. Understanding these critical components can help keep your family safe and your door operating properly.
Most residential garage doors use one of two types of springs:
Located above the door on a metal shaft, torsion springs twist to store mechanical energy. When you open the door, this stored energy helps lift the heavy door. A typical residential door has one or two torsion springs, depending on its weight and size.
Found along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door, extension springs stretch and contract as the door moves. They're typically found on older doors or lighter single-car garage doors.
We cannot stress this enough: garage door spring replacement should never be a DIY project. Here's why:
1. Extreme Tension: A wound torsion spring can hold 200+ pounds of tension. If it snaps or is improperly released, it can cause serious injury or death.
2. Specialized Tools Required: Proper spring replacement requires winding bars, safety cables, and other specialized tools that most homeowners don't have.
3. Precise Calculations Needed: Springs must be properly sized and wound to the correct number of turns based on your specific door's weight and size.
4. Risk of Damage: Improper installation can damage your door, tracks, or opener, leading to more expensive repairs.
If you hear a loud bang from your garage and find your door won't open, a spring has likely broken. Here's what to do:
1. Don't try to operate the door, the opener isn't designed to lift the full weight of the door without spring assistance 2. Disconnect the opener to prevent damage to the motor 3. Call a professional for repair, attempting to open or fix the door yourself is dangerous
While springs will eventually wear out, proper maintenance can extend their lifespan:
- Schedule annual professional maintenance, Keep springs lubricated with garage door-specific lubricant, Test door balance periodically by disconnecting the opener and lifting manually, Don't ignore warning signs, small problems become big problems
Professional spring replacement typically costs between $150-$350, including parts and labor. Given the safety risks of DIY repair, this is money well spent. At Garage Door Company Glendora, we use high-cycle springs rated for 25,000+ cycles (compared to 10,000 for standard springs), providing years of reliable operation.
When you call us for spring replacement, here's what to expect:
1. We'll arrive quickly, often same-day for broken springs 2. We'll inspect the entire door system, not just the springs 3. We'll explain our findings and provide a clear quote 4. With your approval, we'll replace the springs using professional tools and techniques 5. We'll test the door thoroughly and adjust as needed 6. We'll clean up and review proper door operation with you
Don't take chances with your safety. If you suspect spring problems, call Garage Door Company Glendora at ${BUSINESS_INFO.phoneFormatted}. Our experienced technicians will handle the dangerous work so you don't have to.