Garage Door Spring Repair in the Rio Grande Valley

The springs do the heavy lifting on a garage door. When one breaks, the door suddenly feels like it weighs a ton, the opener strains or the door won't go up at all. Replacing a spring is a job for a garage door pro.

Garage door springs and cables are under high tension. Don't touch them, and keep people, pets and cars away from a door that won't move right.

Signs of a broken spring

• A loud bang from the garage, like a firecracker, when nobody was using the door.
• A gap in the spring above the door: a coiled spring that's split into two pieces.
• The door won't lift, or the opener hums and the door rises a few inches and stops.
• The door is very heavy when you try to lift it by hand.
• The door goes up crooked or slams down fast.
• Loose cables hanging next to the door.

If you see any of these, stop using the door and the opener. See broken garage door spring: what to do.

Two kinds of springs

• Torsion springs sit on a metal bar above the door opening. They twist to lift the door.
• Extension springs run along the tracks on each side, above the door. They stretch as the door closes.

The provider will tell you which kind you have. Both store a lot of energy, and both should be handled only by someone with the right tools and training.

Why this isn't a DIY job

Garage door springs hold hundreds of pounds of tension. Handled the wrong way, a spring can hurt someone badly or let the door drop. National cost guides give the same advice: leave springs and cables to a pro, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says a door that's out of balance should be checked by a professional. Things you can safely do: keep everyone away from the door, unplug the opener if it keeps trying to run, and call.

What happens on a spring repair

1. The check. The provider confirms which spring broke and checks the cables, drums and rollers that work with it.
2. The quote. You get a price for the springs and labor before work starts.
3. The replacement. The provider sizes the new springs to your door's weight and height.
4. The balance test. The door should stay put when it's halfway open, and the opener's safety reverse is checked.

Should both springs be replaced?

Many doors have two springs. If one broke from wear, the other one has done the same amount of work. Ask the provider whether replacing both makes sense for your door, and what each option costs.

How much does spring repair cost?

National cost surveys put spring replacement at about $180 to $350, depending on the type of spring. Bigger and heavier doors cost more, and visits outside regular hours can cost more. The provider will confirm the price before any work. More in garage door repair cost in the RGV.

Before you hire

• Get the price in writing, and ask if it's for one spring or both.
• Ask what warranty comes with the springs, and get it in writing.
• Ask for proof of insurance.
• Be wary of a very low phone price that grows once the provider arrives. Ask what's included.

Spring repair across the Valley

Local providers serve homes in:

• Brownsville, Rancho Viejo and Los Fresnos
• Harlingen, San Benito and Primera

Garage door spring FAQ

Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?

It's not a good idea. Without the spring, the full weight of the door is on you or on the opener, and the door can drop. Keep it closed if you can and call a pro. More in the broken spring guide.

Can I replace just one spring?

Sometimes. If your door has two springs, ask the provider whether the second one is near the end of its life too. Replacing both at once may save a second visit.

Is it worth fixing a broken garage door spring?

Usually, yes. A new spring costs far less than a new door. A new door makes more sense only if the door itself is badly damaged or worn out.

Why did my spring break?

Springs wear out with use: every time the door opens and closes, the spring works. That's why a door that's noisy or out of balance is worth checking early.

Broken spring?

Keep the door still and call a local garage door pro.