The most common garage door repair is replacing a broken spring. Most garage doors use springs to lift the weight of the door. Over time, these springs wear out and snap. When one breaks, the door may feel very heavy, open only a few inches, or not move at all. Spring repair is the call that garage door companies get more than any other.

Here’s what makes this worth knowing: your garage door can weigh anywhere from 100 to over 300 pounds. The opener doesn’t lift all that weight. The springs do most of the work. A standard spring is built to last about 10,000 cycles, and one cycle means opening and closing the door once. If your family uses the garage four times a day, that spring may only last around seven years. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that springs often break in winter, since cold weather makes metal more likely to crack. And when a spring snaps, it can make a loud bang that sounds like a gunshot.

Why Springs Break So Often

Springs are under a lot of tension every time your door moves. Each time you open or close the door, the spring twists or stretches, then goes back. After thousands of rounds, the metal gets tired and weak. Eventually it gives out.

Rust can speed this up. Homes in wet or humid areas often see springs fail sooner because rust creates weak spots in the metal. A lack of care also plays a part. Springs that never get oiled rub more, which adds wear.

There are two main types of springs. Torsion springs sit on a metal bar above the door. Extension springs run along the sides, above the tracks. Torsion springs are more common in newer homes and tend to last longer, but both types wear out in the end.

Signs Your Spring Is Broken

A broken spring is usually easy to spot once you know what to look for. If you heard a loud bang from the garage, that’s a strong clue. Look at the spring above your door. A broken torsion spring will often have a clear gap in the coil.

Other signs include a door that feels much heavier than usual when you lift it by hand. The door may also rise crooked, with one side higher than the other. Sometimes the opener will strain, hum, or start to lift the door and then stop. Many openers have a safety feature that stops the motor when the door feels too heavy, which is exactly what happens with a broken spring.

If you notice any of these signs, stop using the door. Pulling on it or running the opener again can damage the opener or cause the door to fall.

Why You Shouldn’t Fix Springs Yourself

You can find plenty of videos showing people replace their own springs. It might seem like a simple way to save money, but this is one job best left to trained techs.

Springs hold a great deal of stored force. If a tool slips while you’re winding or releasing a spring, it can spin with enough power to break bones or cause serious head injuries. People get hurt every year trying this at home.

Pros also have the right tools and the right parts. Springs must match the weight and size of your door. The wrong spring can make the door slam shut or fly open too fast. A tech will weigh the door, pick the correct spring, and set the tension so the door stays balanced.

Other Common Garage Door Repairs

Springs top the list, but other problems come up often too.

Opener issues are next in line. The motor may wear out, the remote may stop working, or the gears inside may strip. Sometimes the fix is as simple as a new battery in the remote.

Broken cables are also common. Cables work with the springs to lift the door. If a cable frays or snaps, the door can hang crooked or get stuck.

Rollers and tracks cause trouble as well. Worn rollers make the door loud and shaky. Bent tracks can stop the door from moving smoothly, or cause it to come off track.

Finally, safety sensors near the floor can get dirty or knocked out of line. When that happens, the door may refuse to close or reverse right away. Wiping the lenses and lining them back up often solves it.

How Much Does Spring Repair Cost?

Prices change based on where you live, the type of spring, and whether you replace one or both. In many areas, a pro spring replacement costs somewhere between $150 and $350. Doors with two springs usually need both replaced at the same time, since the second spring is likely close to breaking too.

Some companies offer high-cycle springs that last 20,000 cycles or more. They cost a bit more up front but can save you from a second repair down the road.

How to Make Your Springs Last Longer

You can’t stop springs from wearing out, but you can help them last. Spray them with a garage door lubricant a few times a year. Avoid thick grease, which collects dirt.

Test the balance of your door every few months. Pull the release cord to disconnect the opener, then lift the door halfway by hand. If it stays in place, the springs are in good shape. If it falls or rises, the springs may need to be adjusted.

It also helps to book a yearly tune-up. A tech can spot worn parts before they fail and keep small problems from turning into big ones.

Final Thoughts

Broken springs are the most common garage door repair, and for good reason. They carry the weight of the door every single day, and they don’t last forever. Knowing the signs of a broken spring can help you act fast and stay safe. When a spring breaks, skip the home fix and call a trained tech. With a little care and regular checkups, your garage door can keep working well for years.