If you heard a loud bang from your garage and now the door won’t lift, or the opener strains and the door only rises a few inches, a garage door spring has most likely broken. It is the most common garage door failure, and it needs to be repaired by a trained technician.
How to Tell If a Spring Is Broken
- You heard a loud bang, like a gunshot, from the garage
- The door is very heavy or won’t lift by hand
- You can see a gap in the coiled spring above the door (torsion spring)
- One of the side springs is stretched or hanging loose (extension springs)
- The opener runs but the door doesn’t move, or it lifts crooked
What Not to Do
- Don’t keep pressing the opener. The opener isn’t designed to lift the full weight of the door and can be damaged.
- Don’t try to replace the spring yourself. Springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury.
- Don’t leave the door partially open. Without spring tension, it can drop suddenly.
Torsion vs. Extension Springs
Torsion springs are mounted on a bar above the door and are the most common type in newer DFW homes. Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on each side. Both types wear out with use. A spring is typically rated for a set number of open-and-close cycles, so a door used several times a day wears its springs out faster.
If your door has two springs and one broke, replacing both is usually recommended, because the other spring has the same age and wear.
How Garage Door Spring Repair Works
- We confirm the spring type and size for your door.
- We safely release tension and replace the spring.
- We balance the door, so it stays in place when halfway open.
- We check cables, rollers, and the opener for related wear.
BTU Home Services provides garage door repair across Dallas–Fort Worth with same-day appointments available, and you get an upfront quote before any work begins.
FAQ
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?
It is not recommended. The door is extremely heavy without spring tension. If you must get a car out, call us first.
How long do garage door springs last?
It depends on the spring and how often you use the door. Daily use wears springs out faster, which is why many homes need replacement after several years.
Should I replace both springs?
If your door has two springs, replacing both at the same time usually saves you a second service call.
Call (888) 588-3314 or book online at btuhomeservices.com
Related BTU Home Services
- Garage Door Repair Service
- BTU Home Services in Dallas, TX
- Our Dallas–Fort Worth Service Area
- Schedule Service Online
Questions? Call (888) 588-3314 — Monday–Friday 7 AM–7 PM, Saturday 8 AM–7 PM.