Garage door springs are the unsung heroes of your daily routine. They counterbalance the full weight of your door — typically 150 to 250 pounds — making it possible to lift and lower with minimal effort. When they fail, your door becomes dangerously heavy and inoperable.
Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs
Torsion springs mount horizontally above the door opening on a metal shaft. They use torque to lift the door and are the most common type in modern installations. They're generally safer, last longer (15,000–20,000 cycles), and provide smoother operation.
Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on each side of the door. They stretch and contract to counterbalance the door's weight. They're lower cost but have a shorter lifespan and can be more dangerous if they break without safety cables installed.
Warning Signs of Spring Failure
Watch for: a loud bang from the garage (spring snapping), the door feels extremely heavy to lift manually, the door opens only a few inches then stops, visible gaps or separation in the spring coils, or the door closes too fast.
Why Professional Replacement Is Essential
Garage door springs are under extreme tension. A torsion spring stores enough energy to cause severe injury or death if handled improperly. Professional technicians have the specialized tools, training, and experience to safely remove old springs and install new ones with proper tension calibration. This is not a DIY project.
