Broken Garage Door Spring? How to Tell, and Why You Should Not Fix It Yourself

The classic sign of a broken garage door spring is a loud bang from the garage, followed by a door that suddenly feels twice as heavy or will not stay open on its own. If that sounds familiar, stop trying to force the door and do not attempt to replace the spring yourself. Garage door springs are wound under extreme tension and can cause serious injuries, even to experienced DIYers.

5 signs your garage door spring is broken

1. A loud bang from the garage, often heard from inside the house.
2. The door feels very heavy when you lift it by hand with the opener disconnected.
3. The door will not stay up once you lift it partway.
4. A visible gap in the spring above the door, or a spring that looks stretched or separated.
5. The opener strains or only lifts the door a few inches before stopping.

Why springs break

Springs do much of the lifting work every time the door moves. Over time that cycling wears the metal down, and cold weather, rust, and missing lubrication can speed it up. Breaking a spring is normal wear for a part that works this hard, not a sign you did something wrong.

What to do right now

• Do not use the opener or try to lift a door that will not move.
• Keep people, pets, and vehicles clear of the door.
• Do not touch the spring, cables, or the brackets holding them.
• Call a professional for an in-person estimate.

What professional spring replacement involves

A technician will check the door balance, identify the correct spring for your door, replace the spring safely, and inspect the cables, rollers, and hardware that wear alongside it. Springs on a double-car door are often replaced as a pair so the door stays balanced. Ask for the work and the price to be explained before it starts. At DDS Garage Doors every job begins with an in-person estimate.

Garage Door Spring Replacement in Addison, IL

If your spring has snapped, the door will not lift safely and the opener should not be forced. DDS Garage Doors handles garage door spring replacement and spring repair for homes across Addison, IL and nearby towns, with an in-person estimate before any work begins.

Torsion spring replacement

Torsion springs sit on a metal bar above the door and do most of the lifting on many modern doors. Torsion spring replacement means matching the new springs to your door’s weight and height, winding them to the correct tension, and checking the balance afterwards. Because the springs are under high tension, this work needs proper winding bars and training.

Extension spring replacement

Extension springs run along both sides of the door and stretch as it closes. Extension spring replacement includes fitting new springs and safety cables, and checking the pulleys and cables for wear. Safety cables matter, because a failing extension spring can whip across the garage.

Garage door spring replacement cost

The cost of garage door spring replacement depends on the spring type, the size and weight of the door, whether you need one spring or a pair, and any worn cables or hardware found during the visit. We explain the work and the price in person before we start, so there are no surprises. Call (630) 333-4031 for an estimate.

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