When to Repair vs. Replace a Garage Door Spring

A garage door spring is one of the most important components of your garage door system. It does the heavy lifting every time you open and close the door. When it stops working correctly, it can be more than just an inconvenience; it can be a significant safety risk. Homeowners often wonder whether a broken spring can be repaired or if it needs a full replacement. At Local Garage Door Repair Boca Raton FL, we want to help you understand the best course of action.

This guide will walk you through the signs of a faulty garage door spring, explain the difference between repairing and replacing it, and help you decide when it’s time to call a professional.

Understanding Garage Door Springs

Before deciding between repair and replacement, it helps to know what garage door springs do. There are two main types:

Torsion Springs: These are mounted on a metal shaft above the garage door. They use torque to lift the door, twisting as the door closes and unwinding as it opens. A standard garage door might have one or two torsion springs.
Extension Springs: These are located on both sides of the door, running parallel to the horizontal tracks. They stretch and contract to lift and lower the door. They also have safety cables running through them to prevent the spring from flying across the garage if it breaks.

Both types of springs are under extreme tension and are critical for balancing the weight of the garage door, which can weigh hundreds of pounds. This tension is what makes them effective, but also potentially dangerous to handle without proper training and tools.

Signs of a Damaged Garage Door Spring

How can you tell if your garage door spring is the source of the problem? Here are a few common indicators that you might need garage door spring repair:

A Loud Bang: Many homeowners report hearing a loud noise, like a firecracker, from their garage. This is often the sound of a torsion or extension spring snapping.
The Door Won’t Open: If the garage door opener motor is running but the door isn’t moving, a broken spring is the most likely culprit. The spring provides the lifting power, and without it, the opener isn’t strong enough to lift the door.
The Door Closes Too Fast: A functioning spring system helps control the descent of the door. If the door slams shut when you close it, the springs may be worn out and losing their tension.
Visible Gap in the Spring: For torsion springs, you may see a gap of a few inches in what was once a single, continuous coil. This is a clear sign the spring has broken.
Bent or Crooked Door: If the door looks uneven or lopsided as it opens, it could mean one of the extension springs has broken, causing an imbalance.

Repair or Replace: What’s the Right Choice?

When it comes to garage door springs, the answer is almost always replacement.

Repairing a garage door spring is generally not a safe or effective long-term solution. The springs are designed to last for a certain number of cycles (one cycle is one full opening and closing). Once a spring has reached the end of its lifespan and breaks, simply rejoining the broken ends is not feasible or safe due to the high tension involved.

Attempting to “repair” a spring can create a weak point that is highly likely to fail again, putting you and your property at risk.

Why Replacement is the Standard

Replacing the spring ensures you are installing a new, fully functional component that is rated for thousands of cycles. A professional replacement restores the safety and reliability of your garage door system.

Furthermore, if you have a two-spring system and one breaks, it is highly recommended to replace both at the same time. Because both springs were installed together, they have endured the same amount of wear and tear. The second spring is likely to break soon after the first one, leading to another service call and more inconvenience. Replacing both at once is more cost-effective and ensures your door remains properly balanced.

Your Next Steps

Dealing with a broken garage door spring is not a DIY project. The extreme tension stored in the springs makes them incredibly dangerous for anyone without the right tools and expertise. An accident can result in serious injury or damage to your property.

If you suspect you have a broken spring, the safest and most effective solution is to contact a professional. A trained technician can correctly identify the problem, recommend the right type of replacement springs for your door’s weight and size, and install them safely.

At Local Garage Door Repair Boca Raton FL, our experienced team is equipped to handle all types of garage door spring replacements. We prioritize your safety and will get your garage door operating smoothly again in no time. Contact us today for a professional inspection and service.

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Garage Door Spring Repair: When to Repair and When to Replace