If your garage door suddenly won’t open — or opened with a loud bang and now sits crooked — there’s a good chance a torsion spring has snapped. It’s the single most common repair we make across San Diego County.
What springs actually do
The springs counterbalance the weight of the door. A double garage door can weigh 150–200 lbs; the springs store enough energy to make that feel weightless to the opener (and to you). That stored energy is exactly why a broken spring is dangerous to handle.
Why they break
- Cycle wear. Springs are rated in cycles — typically 10,000. That’s about 7 years at 4 open/close cycles a day.
- Rust. Coastal humidity corrodes the coils and shortens their life. A yearly spray of lubricant helps.
- Wrong gauge. A spring sized for a lighter door wears out fast under a heavier one.
Why not DIY
A torsion spring under tension can release with enough force to break bones. The winding bars, the cone set screws, the balance check — it’s a job for someone who does it daily. We replace springs in pairs, match the gauge to your door, and balance-test before we leave.
Snapped spring? Call us at 619.742.6687 — most days we can be there the same day.