Quick answer
Signs of a broken garage door spring are a loud bang from the garage, a visible gap in a coil above the door, a door that lifts only a few inches or feels extremely heavy, and cables hanging loose. Stop using the opener, do not lift the door or pull the release on an open door, and call a technician. In the Austin area, Tier One replaces a single spring for $400–$650 and a pair for $650–$950.
Springs are the part of a garage door most likely to fail, and they usually fail suddenly. Here is how to recognize it and stay safe until it is fixed.
How to tell a spring is broken
- A loud bang from the garage, like a gunshot, when nobody was using the door
- A gap of an inch or two in the coil of a spring on the bar above the door
- The opener runs but the door lifts only a few inches, or not at all
- The door is extremely heavy when lifted by hand
- Cables hanging loose beside the door
- On extension spring doors, a spring hanging loose along the track
What to do right now
- Stop pressing the opener button. Repeated tries can damage the opener and the door.
- Leave the door where it is. If it is closed, that is the safest place for it.
- If it is open, do not pull the emergency release and do not stand or drive under it.
- Keep children and pets out of the garage.
- Call a technician.
Why not replace it yourself
A torsion spring stores enough energy to lift a door weighing well over a hundred pounds. Winding it needs proper winding bars and the right spring size for the door. Slips during winding cause serious hand and head injuries. This is work for a trained technician.
Should both springs be replaced?
On a door with two springs, both have done the same number of cycles, so the second usually fails soon after the first. Replacing both together is usually the better value and keeps the door balanced.
Standard or high cycle springs
A standard spring is commonly rated for around 10,000 cycles, which a busy household can reach in six or seven years. High cycle springs are rated for 20,000 cycles or more and add $100–$250 per spring. For a door used several times a day, they are usually worth it.
What spring replacement costs
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Single spring replacement | $400–$650 |
| Double spring replacement | $650–$950 |
| High cycle spring upgrade | adds $100–$250 per spring |
| Emergency or after hours visit | adds about $50–$120 |
Parts and labor are included. You get the exact price in writing before work begins. See garage door spring repair.
Common questions
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?
Not safely. The door’s full weight is no longer balanced, so it is very heavy and can drop suddenly. Leave it closed and call a technician.
Is a broken garage door spring an emergency?
If your car is trapped or the door is stuck open, yes. We answer 24/7 at (512) 273-3798 and offer same day spring replacement across the Austin area.
How much does it cost to replace a garage door spring in Austin?
With Tier One, $400–$650 for a single spring and $650–$950 for a double, parts and labor included. High cycle springs add $100–$250 per spring.
How do I know if I have torsion or extension springs?
Torsion springs sit on a bar directly above the door. Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on each side. See torsion vs extension springs.
