Garage Door Won't Open? Spring Broke - What To Do

It's the worst feeling - you're ready to leave for work and your garage door won't budge. The opener motor whines but nothing happens, or maybe you heard a loud bang earlier. These are classic signs of a broken spring. Don't panic. This guide will help you safely get your car out and get your door fixed quickly.

How to Know Your Spring Broke

How to Safely Open Your Door (Get Your Car Out)

How Fast Can You Get It Fixed?

Broken springs are the most common garage door emergency, so reputable companies keep springs in stock and offer same-day service. Most repairs are completed within 2-4 hours of your initial call.

Should You Replace One Spring or Both?

If your springs are the same age and one broke, the other is at end-of-life too. We strongly recommend replacing both springs because:

• The second spring will likely fail within weeks or months
• Mismatched springs cause uneven wear and poor balance
• You save on the service call fee by doing both at once
• New springs are properly matched and balanced together

Why Springs Break (And How to Prevent Future Failures)

Understanding why springs fail helps you prevent it from happening again. While all springs eventually wear out, several factors can cause premature failure:

Common Causes of Spring Failure

• Natural wear and tear: Standard springs are rated for 10,000 cycles (one open + one close = one cycle). With average use of 4 cycles per day, that's about 7-10 years of life. If your spring lasted this long, it simply reached end-of-life.
• Rust and corrosion: Toronto's humidity and winter salt accelerate rust formation on springs. Rust weakens the metal and creates stress points where cracks develop. Springs in uninsulated garages are especially vulnerable.
• Lack of lubrication: Dry springs experience more friction and wear faster. The metal-on-metal contact during each cycle slowly grinds down the spring's thickness, reducing its lifespan by 30-50%.
• Cold weather: Metal becomes brittle in cold temperatures. In Toronto winters, springs that are near end-of-life often snap during the first deep freeze. The thermal contraction adds extra stress that pushes weakened metal past its breaking point.
• Improper sizing: If a previous repair used springs rated for a lighter door, they'll work harder on each cycle and wear out faster. This is common when cheap repair services cut corners on parts.

Preventing Future Spring Breaks

Once your new springs are installed, follow our complete maintenance guide to maximize their lifespan:

• Lubricate twice yearly: Apply silicone spray or garage door lubricant to springs every 6 months, especially before winter and after summer humidity.
• Consider high-cycle springs: If your door gets heavy use or you plan to stay in your home long-term, high-cycle springs (25,000-50,000 cycles) cost about 20% more but last 2-3 times longer.
• Annual maintenance inspection: A technician can spot warning signs like rust, gaps between coils, or balance issues before they become emergencies.
• Keep your garage temperature stable: If possible, insulate your garage door and walls. Extreme temperature swings stress springs more than consistent cold or heat.

Spring Replacement Pricing

Service	Price Range (+ tax)	Includes
Single Torsion Spring	$160 - $220	Spring, labor, balance test
Double Torsion Springs	$280 - $400	Both springs, balancing, safety check
Extension Spring (pair)	$150 - $220	Both springs, safety cables
High-Cycle Springs	$350 - $500	25,000+ cycle springs, 2-3x lifespan

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open my garage door if the spring is broken? ▼

Yes, but it's difficult and requires caution. Without the spring's counterbalance, you'll need to manually lift the full weight of the door (150-400 pounds). Have 1-2 people help, lift from the bottom, and secure the door before releasing. Never try to use the automatic opener - it can't lift the door and you'll burn out the motor.

How do I know if my spring broke? ▼

Signs of a broken spring: 1) You heard a loud bang from the garage, 2) The door won't open or only opens a few inches, 3) The opener motor runs but the door doesn't move, 4) You can see a gap in the spring coils or the spring in two pieces, 5) The door feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it manually.

How fast can I get my spring replaced? ▼

Most professional garage door companies offer same-day service for broken springs since it's an emergency that traps your vehicle. At Royal Garage Doors, we typically arrive within 1-3 hours of your call. The actual repair takes 30-45 minutes. You can often have a working door within 2-4 hours of calling.

Should I try to fix the spring myself to save time? ▼

No. DIY spring repair is extremely dangerous - springs are under hundreds of pounds of tension and cause serious injuries when handled improperly. You also likely don't have the specialized tools needed. Professional repair is fast (same-day), affordable ($160-$400), and safe. The small cost isn't worth risking injury.

Why do garage door springs break more often in winter? ▼

Cold temperatures make metal more brittle. In Toronto winters, when temperatures drop below -10°C, the steel in springs contracts and becomes less flexible. Combined with the thousands of cycles your spring has already completed, winter cold often becomes the final stress that causes failure. Springs that were at end-of-life often break on the first cold morning of winter.

Can I leave my garage door broken for a few days? ▼

You can, but it's not recommended. If your car is trapped inside, you'll need to arrange alternative transportation. More importantly, a door stuck partially open is a security risk and lets in cold air, pests, and moisture. If you must wait, secure the door fully closed with C-clamps on the tracks and don't attempt to use the opener.

How long do garage door springs last? ▼

Standard springs are rated for 10,000 cycles (about 7-10 years with average use). High-cycle springs last 25,000-50,000 cycles (15-20 years). If your spring broke after 7-10 years, it reached normal end-of-life. If it broke sooner, factors like rust, lack of lubrication, or improper sizing may have shortened its lifespan.