Everything You Need to Know About Garage Door Spring Replacement

2023-12-28 9 min read

Garage door springs are the unsung heroes of your garage door system. They do the heavy lifting.literally.counterbalancing the weight of the door so your opener can move it easily. When springs fail, your door becomes inoperable and potentially dangerous. Here's everything you need to know about garage door springs.

Understanding Spring Types

There are two main types of garage door springs, each with distinct characteristics:

Torsion Springs

Mounted above the door opening, torsion springs wind and unwind to lift and lower the door. They're more common in modern installations because they provide smoother operation, longer lifespan, and better balance. Most residential doors use one or two torsion springs, depending on the door's weight and size.

Extension Springs

These springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door. They extend and contract as the door moves. Extension springs are typically found in older installations and are less expensive than torsion springs, but they require safety cables to prevent injury if they break.

Signs Your Springs Need Replacement

Springs don't last forever. Most are rated for 10,000-20,000 cycles (one cycle = one open and one close). Watch for these warning signs:

• Visible gaps in coils: A stretched or separated spring is near failure
• Door opens unevenly: One side rises faster than the other
• Door is heavy to lift: When the opener is disconnected, the door should lift easily
• Loud bang: A breaking spring makes a startling noise, often mistaken for something hitting the house
• Door falls quickly when lowering: This indicates springs aren't providing proper counterbalance

Why Professional Replacement Is Essential

Garage door springs are under extreme tension. A single torsion spring can contain enough force to cause severe injury or death if it snaps unexpectedly. Professional technicians have the tools, training, and experience to replace springs safely.

DIY spring replacement is one of the most dangerous home improvement projects you can attempt. Every year, emergency rooms treat thousands of injuries from failed DIY spring work. The cost of professional service is minimal compared to the risk of serious injury.

The Replacement Process

When you call Garage Door Los Angeles for spring replacement, here's what to expect:

1. Inspection: We assess the entire door system to identify all issues
2. Recommendation: We recommend the appropriate spring type and strength for your door
3. Safe removal: Using specialized tools, we safely release tension and remove old springs
4. Installation: New springs are installed and properly tensioned
5. Testing: We test the door's balance and operation multiple times
6. Cleanup: Old springs are removed and disposed of properly

Extending Spring Life

While springs will eventually wear out, proper maintenance can extend their lifespan:

• Annual professional maintenance and lubrication
• Avoiding slamming the door
• Keeping tracks clean and aligned
• Replacing both springs when one fails (even if the other looks fine)

Spring Warranty

We install high-cycle springs rated for 25,000+ cycles, nearly double the standard lifespan.

If you suspect your springs need attention, don't wait until they fail completely. Contact Garage Door Los Angeles at (424) 306-1562 for same-day service in most areas.

Back to Blog