Garage door springs play an essential role in helping your door open and close safely and smoothly. Because they’re placed under considerable tension and repeatedly used every time the door operates, they can eventually wear out or break.

If you’ve noticed that your garage door has suddenly become difficult to lift, is opening unevenly or has stopped working altogether, a damaged spring could be responsible.

But how much does garage door spring replacement cost?

The garage door spring replacement cost will depend on the type of garage door, the spring system fitted, the number of springs requiring replacement and whether any other components have been damaged.

In this guide, we’ll explain the factors affecting the cost, the signs of a broken garage door spring and why spring replacement is generally a job best left to an experienced professional.

How Much Does Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost?

There isn’t one fixed price for replacing a garage door spring.

The cost will depend on the particular door and the type of spring system it uses. Some doors require relatively straightforward replacement components, while others use more specialised spring mechanisms.

Factors that can influence the final price include:

• The type of garage door
• The type and size of spring
• Whether one or multiple springs need replacing
• The age of the door
• Availability of replacement parts
• Labour required
• Whether other components are damaged
• Whether additional adjustments are necessary

For this reason, the most reliable way to establish your garage door spring replacement cost is to have the door professionally inspected.

What Do Garage Door Springs Do?

Garage doors can be surprisingly heavy.

The springs form part of a system designed to counterbalance this weight, allowing the door to open and close with much less effort.

On a correctly balanced manual door, this means you shouldn’t need excessive force to lift it.

On an electric garage door, the spring system is equally important. The motor shouldn’t be expected to lift the full weight of an incorrectly balanced door by itself.

When a spring breaks or loses tension, the difference can therefore be immediately noticeable.

Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?

Garage door springs don’t last indefinitely.

Every time you open and close the garage door, the springs go through another operating cycle. After years of repeated use, the metal can eventually fatigue.

Other factors can contribute to premature wear, including:

• Frequent use
• Age
• Corrosion
• Poor maintenance
• Incorrect adjustment
• Damage to other components
• Exposure to moisture<

A heavily used garage door may naturally experience spring wear sooner than a door that’s only opened occasionally.

What Are the Signs of a Broken Garage Door Spring?

A broken spring isn’t always immediately obvious, but there are several warning signs.

The Garage Door Suddenly Feels Heavy

One of the clearest signs is a door that’s suddenly much more difficult to lift manually.

Because the spring system helps counterbalance the weight of the door, a failed spring can make it feel significantly heavier.

The Garage Door Won’t Open

If a spring breaks, your garage door may fail to open properly.

An electric opener may attempt to operate but struggle to lift the door.

If this happens, avoid repeatedly pressing the remote in an attempt to force the door open, as this could place additional strain on the motor or other components.

The Door Opens Unevenly

If one side of the spring or lifting system has failed, the garage door may begin rising unevenly.

A crooked or unevenly moving garage door should be inspected before it is used again.

You Hear a Loud Bang

Garage door springs store significant energy.

When one breaks, you may hear a sudden loud bang from inside the garage, even though nothing appears to have hit the door.

There’s a Visible Gap or Damage

Depending on the spring system, you may be able to see a break or gap in the spring.

However, you shouldn’t touch or attempt to adjust the spring to investigate it more closely.

Can You Still Use a Garage Door With a Broken Spring?

It’s generally best to stop operating the door until it has been inspected.

A broken spring affects the balance of the garage door and can make it extremely heavy or cause it to move unevenly.

Continuing to operate the door could potentially cause further damage to:

• Cables
• Rollers
• Tracks
• Hinges
• Electric opener
• Other parts of the lifting mechanism

If the garage door is stuck, contact a professional rather than trying to force it open or closed.

Can You Replace a Garage Door Spring Yourself?

Garage door spring replacement isn’t a repair we’d recommend treating as a DIY project.

Garage door springs can be under considerable tension. Incorrectly releasing, adjusting or installing them can cause serious injury and damage to the door.

Specialist tools and knowledge may also be required to ensure the replacement spring is correctly specified and adjusted.

A professional garage door technician can identify the spring required, replace it safely and check that the door is correctly balanced afterwards.

What Affects Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost?

Several factors can influence the overall price of the repair.

Type of Spring

Different garage doors use different spring systems.

The replacement spring must be suitable for the weight, dimensions and operating mechanism of the particular door.

The cost of the component can therefore vary considerably between different doors and manufacturers.

Number of Springs

Some garage doors use more than one spring.

If one has failed, the technician will need to assess the condition of the remaining components and advise what work is appropriate.

This can affect both the cost of parts and the amount of labour required.

Garage Door Type

The design of the door can also influence the repair.

Springs can be used in different ways across:

• Up and over garage doors
• Sectional garage doors
• Some other counterbalanced garage door systems

Access to the spring mechanism and the replacement procedure can vary between designs.

Age of the Garage Door

Older garage doors may require additional investigation.

Replacement parts for established brands are often available for many years, but components for some older or discontinued systems can become more difficult to source.

Additional Damage

A broken spring may not be the only problem.

If the door was operated after the spring failed, other components may have become damaged or displaced.

The technician may need to inspect the cables, rollers, tracks and other parts of the mechanism before returning the door to normal operation.

Does Garage Door Type Affect Spring Replacement?

Yes. Different garage doors use different lifting mechanisms.

Up and Over Garage Doors

Up and over garage doors commonly rely on springs and cables as part of their lifting system.

A broken or weakened component can cause the door to become heavy, uneven or difficult to operate.

If your door is particularly old and requires several repairs, you may eventually want to compare the repair cost with the up and over garage door cost for a replacement.

Sectional Garage Doors

Sectional garage doors use a counterbalance system to help lift the weight of the individual door sections.

If there’s a problem with a spring, the door may become difficult or unsafe to operate.

Our sectional garage door cost guide can help if you’re deciding whether an ageing sectional door remains economical to repair.

Electric Garage Doors

A broken spring can also cause problems for an electric garage door.

The electric motor works alongside the correctly balanced door mechanism. If a spring fails, repeatedly trying to operate the door electrically can place unnecessary strain on the opener.

If your electric door suddenly refuses to lift, don’t automatically assume the motor itself has failed.

Should Both Garage Door Springs Be Replaced?

This depends on the design of the door and the condition of its components.

On systems with paired springs of the same age and usage, a technician may recommend replacing both when one fails because the remaining spring may have experienced a similar number of operating cycles.

However, this isn’t a rule that applies to every garage door.

The appropriate repair should be determined after inspecting the particular spring system rather than automatically replacing components that don’t require it.

Is a Broken Garage Door Spring Covered by a Service?

Routine servicing is designed to inspect the garage door and identify developing problems, but replacing a broken spring would normally be considered a repair rather than standard maintenance.

A service may identify signs of wear before complete failure occurs.

Regular servicing can include checks of components such as:

• Springs
• Cables
• Rollers
• Tracks
• Hinges
• Locks
• Electric operators

You can read our guide to garage door servicing cost to learn more about regular maintenance and what a service may involve.

Can Servicing Prevent a Garage Door Spring From Breaking?

No maintenance programme can guarantee that a spring will never fail.

Springs are mechanical components with a finite working life and will eventually require replacement.

However, regular inspection can help identify corrosion, poor balance, unusual operation and other issues that may indicate the garage door requires attention.

It can also ensure other components aren’t placing unnecessary strain on the system.

Spring Replacement vs Garage Door Replacement

A broken spring doesn’t normally mean the entire garage door needs replacing.

If the door itself is in good condition and suitable replacement parts are available, repairing the spring system can be a much more economical option.

Complete replacement may be worth considering when:

• The garage door is very old
• Several components require repair
• Replacement parts are difficult to obtain
• The door itself is badly damaged
• Corrosion is widespread
• Repairs are becoming increasingly frequent
• You want improved security
• You want better insulation
• You want to change to a different door style

Our guide to garage door replacement cost covers these considerations in more detail.

How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?

There isn’t a single lifespan that applies to every garage door spring.

Spring life can be influenced by:

• How frequently the garage door is used
• The spring type and specification
• Door weight
• Environmental conditions
• Maintenance
• Correct installation and adjustment

A garage door that’s opened several times every day will naturally complete more operating cycles than one that’s only used occasionally.

Rather than relying solely on age, pay attention to changes in how the garage door feels and operates.

Can a Garage Door Spring Be Repaired Instead of Replaced?

If the spring itself has broken, replacement is normally required rather than trying to repair the damaged spring.

The replacement needs to be correctly matched to the garage door.

Simply fitting a spring that looks similar isn’t sufficient. Its specification needs to be appropriate for the weight and operating characteristics of the door.

This is another reason professional assessment is important.

What Other Garage Door Components Can Fail?

Springs aren’t the only components that experience wear.

Other common garage door problems can involve:

• Frayed or snapped cables
• Worn rollers
• Damaged tracks
• Hinges
• Locks
• Remote controls
• Electric motors
• Control units

The symptoms can sometimes be similar, so diagnosing the fault correctly is important before ordering replacement parts.

Our broader guide to garage door repair cost explains some of the other repairs you may encounter.

How Can You Reduce the Risk of Unexpected Garage Door Repairs?

You can’t eliminate normal wear, but looking after the garage door can help identify problems earlier.

It’s worth:

• Having the door periodically serviced
• Paying attention to unusual noises
• Watching for uneven movement
• Not forcing a door that’s difficult to operate
• Having frayed cables inspected
• Addressing faults promptly
• Keeping tracks clear of obstructions

Most importantly, don’t ignore a noticeable change in how the door operates.

A door that suddenly becomes heavy, noisy or uneven is telling you that something may require attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does garage door spring replacement cost?

The garage door spring replacement cost depends on the type of door, spring system, parts required and whether additional repairs are necessary. A professional inspection is the best way to obtain an accurate quotation.

Is it expensive to replace a garage door spring?

The price varies between garage doors because spring systems aren’t universal. In many cases, replacing a failed spring will be considerably less expensive than replacing an otherwise serviceable garage door.

Can I open my garage door if the spring is broken?

It’s best to avoid operating a garage door with a suspected broken spring. The door may be extremely heavy or unbalanced, and attempting to force it could cause injury or additional damage.

Can I replace a garage door spring myself?

Garage door springs can be under considerable tension, making replacement potentially dangerous without the correct knowledge, equipment and components. Professional replacement is strongly recommended.

Why did my garage door spring suddenly break?

Springs can eventually fail through normal metal fatigue after repeated opening and closing cycles. Age, corrosion, frequent use and other mechanical issues can also contribute.

Does a broken spring mean I need a new garage door?

Not necessarily. If the rest of the door remains in good condition and the correct parts are available, replacing the spring may be all that’s required.

Get a Quote for Garage Door Spring Replacement in Devon

Because spring systems vary between doors, the most accurate way to determine your garage door spring replacement cost is to have the fault professionally diagnosed.

At 247 Garage Doors, we repair and service garage doors throughout Devon and can help diagnose problems involving springs, cables and other operating components.

If your garage door has suddenly become heavy, uneven or impossible to open, avoid forcing it. Having the problem inspected promptly can help determine exactly what has failed and whether any additional components require attention.

Contact 247 Garage Doors today to arrange a garage door repair and receive a quotation for the work required.