Springs are the hardest-working part of a garage door. Here is how long they last and how to read the warning signs.
Garage door springs wear out by use, not by age. A spring is rated for a number of full open-and-close cycles, and standard springs are commonly rated at about 10,000 cycles. A garage door that opens and closes four times a day reaches 10,000 cycles in roughly seven years. A door used twice a day can last much longer.
Torsion and extension springs
A torsion spring is a tightly wound coil on a shaft above the opening. An extension spring runs along each side of the door and stretches as it closes. Both counterbalance the weight of the door, so the opener only has to guide it. When a spring fails, the door becomes too heavy to lift safely. See garage door spring repair.
Signs a spring is wearing out
- The door feels heavy when you lift it by hand
- It rises slowly or stops a few inches up
- It slams down or will not stay half open
- You see a gap in the coil of a torsion spring
- A loud bang from the garage
Why springs are replaced as a set
If a door has two springs, both have done the same number of cycles. When one breaks, the other is close behind. Replacing only one often means a second call within months, so we recommend replacing both and explain when a single spring is enough. Springs also need to match the weight of the door, which is why we measure it first.
Can springs last longer?
Higher-cycle springs are rated for more cycles and cost more. A door that is used many times a day, such as a family garage with the door as the main entrance, benefits from them. Keeping the rollers, hinges and tracks lubricated reduces the load on the springs.
Do not replace them yourself
A torsion spring stores a lot of energy, and a spring that is wound wrong can injure you or leave the door unbalanced. Cables and bottom brackets are under the same tension: see cable repair.
Questions people ask
How long do garage door springs last?
Standard springs are commonly rated for about 10,000 cycles, which is roughly seven to ten years for many households. Higher-cycle springs last longer.
Can a garage door spring be repaired?
A broken spring is replaced, not repaired. The replacement is matched to the door's weight and the door is rebalanced.
Is it safe to use the door with a broken spring?
No. The door is far too heavy to lift safely, and running the opener can damage it. Stop and call for service.
Keep reading
- Why Your Garage Door Will Not Close (and What to Check First)
- Insulated vs Non-Insulated Garage Doors: Which Do You Need?
- Electric Gate Will Not Open: What to Check Before You Call
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