Garage door spring repair technician inspecting residential spring system

Garage Door Spring Repair

Garage door springs assist in counterbalancing the weight of a loaded garage door. Without the support of a functioning spring system, the garage door will be heavy and difficult to operate.

A garage door spring may snap or break causing issues such as a garage door that is very heavy, difficult to move, opening and closing unevenly or even sticking. If you notice the presence of any of these issues, stop using the garage door and call us for service.

First Garage Door provides thorough garage door spring repair and replacement service for our clients in Orange County including Irvine. The nature of the service required is determined after a thorough assessment of the spring system, the spring, and associated components.

We repair and replace springs for all types of door spring systems.

01

When do Garage Door Springs Need Repair?

Problems associated with springs can cause severe issues with the balance and movement of garage doors.

It is time to call the professionals to assess the spring for repair if:

  • The door becomes heavy
  • The garage door does not open
  • The door opens to a limited height
  • The door opens unevenly
  • One side of the door is lower than the other
  • A spring appears to have elongated, broken, or fractured
  • The door opener appears to struggle to lift the door
  • Movement of the garage door has changed
  • The door closes suddenly
  • The garage door opener does not operate normally

Some of these issues may also be the result of other components such as the tracks, cables, rollers, openers, and more. The spring system should be evaluated even before assuming which component needs replacement.

Broken garage door spring requiring professional repair
02

What to Look for When Diagnosing Broken/Failing Garage Door Springs

Heavier Than Normal Garage Door

An unusual increase in the difficulty of lifting the door is an indication of broken or failing springs. The springs support a good amount of the door's weight. A reduction in that support results in a much heavier door for the garage door opener to lift or for the manual lifting system to bear.

Garage Door Doesn't Open at All

A failed spring can prevent a garage door from opening normally. A garage door that does not open can have many other contributing factors, such as a damaged garage door opener, garage door tracks, or controls, so diagnosis is important.

Garage Door Opens Partially

Failure in springs can result in the door opening only a few feet. Blocked access or an unstable door can warrant the use of the emergency service pathway.

Emergency Garage Door Repair

Garage Door Moves Unevenly

An unevenly opened door or lifting that is visibly not in a straight line can indicate that the springs or the lifting system is in disrepair. Movement of the door should be assessed in its entirety, as other components may also contribute.

Springs are Visibly Separated/Broken

Broken springs are evident. A visible break or separation in the spring system warrants a service call.

Garage Door Opener Appears to Strain

An opener appears weak, as the door is no longer counterbalanced. Do not assume that the garage door opener system has failed if the door has become very weighted. If the spring system appears normal, and the problem is related to either the opener or the motor, then explore Garage Door Opener Repair.

Garage Door Opener Repair
03

What Garage Door Spring Services Do We Provide?

First Garage Door provides repair and replacement of support residential garage door spring systems and repair and replacement of broken springs.

Garage Door Spring Repair

For broken or visibly damaged garage door springs.

Garage Door Spring Replacement

When replacement of the spring is the necessary repair.

Torsion Spring Repair

Most commonly found above the garage door opening, torsion springs provide counter balance to the door.

Torsion Spring Replacement

When replacement of the torsion spring is necessary.

Extension Spring Repair

A system of springs that assist in lifting the door and positioned next to the garage door track system.

Extension Spring Replacement

When a failed extension spring is beyond repair. The exact spring service depends on the garage door, spring configuration, condition of the system, and parts required.

04

Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs

Different types of springs are utilized within garage door systems.

Torsion Springs

Torsion springs are located above the garage door and utilize rotational force as part of the counterbalance system.

Extension Springs

Extension springs are on the sides of garage doors and stretch and return to their original length as the door moves. Configuration of springs Parts involved Service procedures How often springs must be replaced. How much it costs The type of springs does not have to be identified by you in order to get the required service.

First Garage Door wants to know what happened, and if it is safe, what you have been able to observe.

05

How Does Garage Door Spring Service Work?

Technician performing garage door spring replacement service
  1. 01

    Symptoms

    Do you perceive the door as heavier than it should be, does it not open, does it move unevenly, does it get stuck and not move, or do you see damage to the spring?

  2. 02

    Assess System

    The type of garage door system and the configuration of the springs determine the nature of the damage.

  3. 03

    Determine service

    The technician evaluates the springs to see if they need to be repaired or replaced or if the system requires other related services.

  4. 04

    Explain Work and Estimate

    A description of the recommended spring service and estimate is given prior to the start of the work.

  5. 05

    Approved Spring Service

    The approved spring repair or replacement is done based on the diagnosed spring problem and the agreed scope of service.

  6. 06

    Test Movement

    The garage door spring service is complete. The movement of the garage door and related system will be tested.

06

Garage Door Spring Repair or Spring Replacement?

Spring repairs and spring replacements relate to the same spring system. Ultimately, there are:

Spring type, The extent of the damage, Spring functionality, System operation, Door weight, Spring functionality of other components, The suitability of the existing service spring Replacement of the spring may be the case if the damage is severe. The correct option is decided after the assessment of the spring system.

07

Should Both Garage Door Springs Be Replaced?

Some garage doors use more than one spring. Which springs, if any, need to be replaced depends on the spring system and the composition and configuration of the spring system. It depends on service requirements and how the spring system functions.

First Garage Door evaluates the entire system of springs to determine the proper extent of replacement. Not all spring replacement is the same and should not be treated as such. Spring problems can sometimes appear the same as problems with the Garage Door Opener.

Improperly functioning spring systems can cause a garage door to appear to be heavy and cause the garage door opener to appear to be weak.

08

Issues of Spring Problems

  • Door becomes unusually heavy
  • Visible spring damage
  • Door does not move
  • Movement of door becomes uneven
  • Springs appear to have separated from each other
09

Issues of Opener Problems

These issues can overlap, so inspection should be done to determine the problem before repair is done.

  • Opener controls or opener itself do not work
  • Problems with remote control or wall control
  • Opener acts erratically
  • Problem appears to be with the automatic opener system
10

When Does a Broken Spring Become an Emergency?

A broken spring becomes an emergency if it:

  • Puts the vehicle in the garage and/or blocks normal access to the garage
  • Leaves the door open
  • Prevents the garage door from closing
  • Unbalances the door
  • Makes the door heavy

If there is an immediate access problem or failure to secure the garage, use our Emergency Garage Door Repair service.

11

What Should You Do if a Garage Door Spring Breaks?

If you suspect a broken spring:

Do not keep opening and closing the garage door. Do not attempt to force the garage door open. Do not try to use the garage door opener to lift the door. Do not let people get close to damaged spring components. Do not attempt to adjust or replace the spring yourself.

Tell First Garage Door whether the door is completely open or closed, or if it is only partially open. Say if you have completely blocked door access. Describe the visible spring damage, if any.

There is a lot of stored energy in a garage door spring, and a broken spring brings safety hazards to you and your family. Repair and replacement should be done with the right tools, safety precautions, and adequate skills.

12

How Much Does Garage Door Spring Repair or Replacement Cost?

Costs for spring repair and replacement will vary based on the spring system and the work involved. There are several factors that can affect costs. A service for torsion spring replacement may involve different parts and may differ from a service for extension spring replacement.

The price of a spring repair job cannot be quoted as a fixed cost because garage door spring systems may vary. First Garage Door will provide and explain an estimate based on the diagnosed spring system as well as the scope of services that will be completed.

  • Spring type
  • Spring size
  • Torsion or extension spring configuration
  • Garage door weight
  • Garage door size
  • Number of springs involved
  • Required parts
  • System configuration
  • The condition of related components
  • Accessibility
  • Extent of repair or replacement
13

How Long Does Garage Door Spring Replacement Take?

How long it takes to replace garage door springs varies according to the following factors:

  • Number of springs and spring system
  • Type of door
  • Whether the springs are part of a system
  • How accessible the springs are
  • How worn other related parts are
  • How much other work is needed
  • How much other work is needed
  • If other door problems are found

First Garage Door provides an estimate of how long new spring replacement takes once all parts and work needed are known.

14

Can You Open a Garage Door With a Broken Spring?

Broken springs on a garage door increase the door's weight and make it much harder to control. Repeatedly opening or closing a garage door with a broken spring is a bad idea and could result in a garage door counterbalance system that requires someone to continually hold the door open.

Don't use your automatic garage door opener to continually open a garage door that is too heavy to be counterbalanced. When a broken spring is found, a call to a professional garage door repair service is warranted.

15

Can You Replace a Garage Door Spring Yourself?

There is a lot of mechanical energy stored in a torsion spring system. Replacing a spring becomes a risky and potentially dangerous project for even the most mechanically inclined in the garage.

Risky work that should not be performed by the homeowner includes the following:

  • Adjusting springs
  • Replacing torsion springs
  • Replacing extension springs
  • Forcing a door to open by counteracting broken springs
  • Adjusting spring hardware
  • Working with an unstable door

Service with actual spring repairs or replacements is the safest way to go.

16

Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?

Knowing exactly why garage door springs break is difficult, there are multiple factors that could contribute to spring failure.

Some of these factors are:

  • Door usage
  • System wear
  • Spring age
  • System condition
  • Door weight
  • Spring configuration
  • Spring corrosion
  • Condition of components
  • Other mechanical factors affecting the lifting system

This test assesses the spring and supporting parts of the garage door.

17

Could Garage Door Maintenance Help Pinpoint Spring Concerns?

The objectives of spring repair and maintenance are not the same. Spring repair takes care of a defective or broken spring. Maintenance consists of periodic inspection and upkeep performed when the door is operating as designed or when the customer wishes to perform planned maintenance.

Maintenance may help identify wear that, if it continues to progress, could create a safety risk or cause a breakdown. However, spring repair should be performed when a spring has failed.

18

Why Should I Select First Garage Door For Spring Repair?

Assessment Spring System

The garage door spring system is evaluated prior to a repair or replacement.

Explanation of Repair

A description of the spring service to be performed is explained.

Review the Estimate

The spring service estimate is reviewed prior to the spring repair or replacement.

Torsion & Extension Spring Service

First Garage Door offers torsion and extension spring repair and replacement services.

Urgent Path for Request

For a broken spring that creates an urgent safety issue or access concern, the request can be processed through the Emergency Garage Door Repair pathway.

Real Garage Door Spring Work

Garage Door Spring Repair in Orange County First Garage Door offers full-service spring replacement and repair in the Orange County service area, which includes Irvine.

Local Service Details:

Garage Door Services in Irvine
19

FAQ: Garage Door Spring Repair

When a garage door spring breaks, there are a number of symptoms like having heavy doors, movements that are out of sync, failure to fully open, visible break in the springs, and changes in the normal operating pattern of the door.

Oftentimes these symptoms can be indications of opener, track, roller, or other component problems, so it is crucial that you call a technician.

Yes, First Garage Door offers Spring Replacement as a service. The type of replacement spring needed can vary depending on the garage door configuration and the spring type.

Yes, we replace springs as required.

Yes, we repair and replace torsion springs.

Yes, we repair and replace extension springs.

A broken spring can cause an emergency if it prevents normal operation, if it obstructs access, if it traps a vehicle, if it provides no support, or if it allows the garage door to swing open dangerously.

A broken spring can make the door very heavy to the point of being beyond your control. Do not open and close the door multiple times.

Operation of an automated door repeatedly can cause springs to fail. Corrosion, wear, or failure can be caused by many things.

The service selection depends on the type of break, spring condition, configuration of the system, and if the spring can continue to be utilized. If a spring fails, it must be replaced.

This depends on the configuration, the condition of the springs, and the repair being performed. The full spring system must be examined to determine the appropriate replacement scope.

Torsion springs are above the door and use rotational force. Extension springs are located on the sides of the door and stretch and contract as the door moves. The configuration of the garage door determines what type of system is installed.

A weak opener may be trying to lift a door which is not opposed by the spring. It may be necessary to provide a diagnostic if the opener, spring system, or other component is defective.

Garage Door Opener Repair

The cost is based on the type of spring, size, weight of the door, configuration of the system, the number of springs, other required parts, the condition of other related components, and the extent of the service. A spring specific estimate can only be provided once the actual system is examined.

The time it takes to complete the service depends on the configuration of the garage door, the number of springs, required parts, accessibility, and diagnostic work that is required. First Garage Door can provide a more accurate estimate to the customer once the spring system has been evaluated.

Yes, Irvine is included in First Garage Door's Orange County service district.

Garage Door Services in Irvine
20

Need Garage Door Spring Repair?

If your spring is broken, you should stop using your garage door. First Garage Door can help guide you through the process. Please provide us with details about what happened and how your door is currently behaving and if you can see spring damage. Spring repairs will be identified.

Get your door working this week

Tell us what the door is doing and roughly how old it is. You get an itemised estimate on site, free, before anything is touched.