Garage Door Spring Repair in Worcester, MA
Heard a loud bang from the garage and now the door won't open? A broken spring is the most common garage door failure, and we replace them 24 hours a day.
Signs your garage door spring is broken
- A sudden, loud bang like a gunshot from the garage
- A visible 2–3 inch gap in the coiled spring above the door
- The opener hums or strains but the door only rises a few inches
- The door feels extremely heavy when you lift it by hand
- Loose or slack cables hanging beside the door
- The door slams down quickly instead of lowering smoothly
Leave the door closed and don't run the opener. The opener isn't built to lift the full weight of the door. Forcing it can strip the gears, bend the top panel or snap a cable. Call us, day or night.
Torsion springs vs. extension springs
Torsion springs
Most newer doors in Worcester County use one or two torsion springs mounted on a steel shaft above the door opening. They wind up as the door closes and release that energy to lift it. They're smoother and safer than extension springs, but they're under enormous tension. Winding them without the right tools and training is a leading cause of garage door injuries.
Extension springs
Older and lighter doors often use extension springs that stretch along the horizontal tracks on each side. When we replace them, we make sure safety containment cables are installed, so a broken spring can't whip across the garage.
How we replace springs the right way
- Weigh and measure. We size new springs to your door's actual weight and height, not a guess.
- Replace in pairs. On two-spring doors, both springs are the same age. When one fails, the other usually isn't far behind, so replacing both saves you a second visit.
- Choose the cycle rating. Standard springs are typically rated around 10,000 cycles. We also offer higher-cycle springs that last years longer.
- Inspect the rest. We check cables, drums, bearings and rollers, since they take a hit when a spring breaks.
- Balance and test. A balanced door stays put when lifted halfway by hand. We adjust until it does, then test the opener's force and auto-reverse.
Why springs break more often in New England
Springs wear out from use. Every open and close is one cycle, and a family that uses the garage as its front door can run through 1,500+ cycles a year. Cold makes it worse. Steel becomes more brittle in freezing temperatures, and many spring breaks happen on the first cold mornings of the season. A yearly tune-up and the right lubricant help springs reach their full life.
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
We strongly advise against it. Torsion springs store enough energy to break bones, and improperly sized springs can make the door fall or wear out the opener quickly. Having a technician do the job protects your door, your opener and your hands.