Your Garage Door Springs Are Doing More Work Than You Think
Every time you open and close your garage door, the springs are doing the heavy lifting — literally. A standard two-car garage door can weigh between 150 and 250 pounds, and those springs are responsible for counterbalancing all of that weight. Without them, your opener couldn't move the door, and you certainly couldn't lift it by hand.
For most homeowners in Spanish Fork, the garage door is the largest moving part of the house, and it gets used multiple times a day. That adds up. Over time, your springs wear down, lose tension, and eventually break. The question isn't if they'll need replacing — it's when.
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Typically Last?
Most standard garage door springs are rated for approximately 10,000 cycles. One cycle equals one full open and one full close. If your household opens and closes the garage door four times a day, that's roughly 1,460 cycles per year. At that rate, your springs could last about seven years.
However, that number can vary quite a bit depending on several factors:
- Usage frequency: Families with multiple drivers or those who use the garage as a primary entrance may rack up six to eight cycles per day, cutting the spring lifespan down to four or five years.
- Spring quality: Not all springs are created equal. Higher-cycle springs (rated for 20,000 or even 30,000 cycles) are available and can last significantly longer, though they cost a bit more upfront.
- Climate and conditions: Here in Utah, our temperature swings between summer and winter can stress metal components. Cold weather makes springs more brittle, which is one reason we see more spring failures during the colder months in Spanish Fork and surrounding areas.
- Maintenance: Springs that are regularly lubricated and inspected tend to last longer than those that are neglected.
Signs Your Garage Door Springs Are Wearing Out
Springs rarely give out without warning. If you know what to look for, you can often catch the problem before you're stuck with a door that won't open. Here are the most common signs that your springs are nearing the end of their life:
The Door Feels Heavier Than Usual
If you disconnect the opener and try to lift the door manually, it should move relatively easily and stay in place when you let go about halfway up. If it feels noticeably heavy or slams down when you release it, the springs have likely lost tension and aren't doing their job anymore.
The Door Opens Unevenly or Crooked
If one spring is weaker than the other (or has already broken), the door may rise unevenly — one side lifting faster than the other. This puts extra strain on your opener, tracks, and cables, and can lead to bigger problems if not addressed.
Visible Gaps in the Spring
Torsion springs — the large springs mounted on a shaft above your door — are tightly wound coils. When one breaks, you'll usually see a visible gap in the coil where it has separated. This is the most obvious sign and means the spring has already failed.
Loud Bang from the Garage
Many homeowners first discover a broken spring after hearing a loud bang that sounds like a gunshot or something falling in the garage. That noise is the sound of the spring unwinding rapidly when it breaks. If you hear this, check your springs before trying to operate the door.
The Opener Struggles or Stops Working
Your garage door opener is designed to move a counterbalanced door, not lift the full weight on its own. When springs fail, the opener has to work much harder. You might notice it straining, moving the door more slowly, or stopping partway through the cycle. Running the opener with broken springs can burn out the motor.
Can You Replace Garage Door Springs Yourself?
We get this question a lot, and we always give the same honest answer: spring replacement is one of the most dangerous DIY garage door repairs you can attempt. Torsion springs are under extreme tension, and if they're handled incorrectly, they can cause serious injury.
There are countless videos online showing how to do it, and some experienced DIYers have the tools and knowledge to pull it off safely. But for most people, the risk isn't worth it. A professional can replace your springs in under an hour, ensure they're properly balanced, and make sure everything is safe.
At Spanish Fork Garage Door, we replace springs for homeowners across Spanish Fork, Springville, Mapleton, Salem, Payson, and Provo. It's one of the most common service calls we get, and we always keep standard spring sizes in stock so we can usually take care of it the same day.
Should You Replace Both Springs at the Same Time?
If your garage door has two torsion springs (most double-car doors do), we strongly recommend replacing both at the same time — even if only one has broken. Here's why:
- They wear at the same rate. If one spring has broken, the other one is likely close behind. Replacing just one means you'll probably be calling for service again in a few months.
- It saves money in the long run. The labor cost is the same whether we replace one spring or two. You'll save on a second service call by doing both at once.
- It keeps the door balanced. Mismatched springs — one new and one old — can cause the door to operate unevenly, which creates additional wear on other components.
How to Make Your Springs Last Longer
While springs will eventually wear out no matter what, a little bit of regular maintenance can help you get the most life out of them:
- Lubricate the springs every few months. Use a garage door-specific lubricant or white lithium grease. Spray along the length of each spring to reduce friction and prevent rust. This is especially important during Utah's dry winters.
- Schedule an annual inspection. A professional tune-up once a year can catch early signs of wear, ensure proper balance, and address small issues before they become expensive repairs.
- Consider high-cycle springs. If you're replacing your springs, ask about upgraded options. High-cycle springs cost more initially but can last two to three times longer, which is a smart investment for busy households.
- Don't ignore warning signs. If the door feels off, sounds different, or moves unevenly, don't wait. Catching a worn spring early can prevent damage to your opener, cables, and tracks.
When It's Time, We're Here to Help
If your garage door springs are showing signs of wear — or if one has already broken — don't try to force the door open or keep running the opener. That's how small problems turn into expensive ones.
Spanish Fork Garage Door provides fast, affordable spring replacement for homeowners throughout Spanish Fork and the surrounding communities. We show up on time, explain what needs to be done, and get your door working safely again. No pressure, no upselling — just honest work at a fair price.
Give us a call and we'll get you taken care of.