🔧 Garage Door Springs: Safety, Lifespan, Cycle Counts & When to Call a Professional

Your Garage Door Spring

Garage door springs are a critical part of any residential garage door system and are responsible for lifting hundreds of pounds safely. Your garage door may look simple, but behind the scenes it relies on one of the most powerful components in your home: the garage door spring.

When a spring fails, your door can suddenly become extremely heavy, stop working altogether, or worse; become dangerous. This guide will walk you through what garage door springs do, why they’re dangerous, how long they last, and when it’s time to call a professional.

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What Does a Garage Door Spring Actually Do?

Garage door springs carry most of the weight of your door.
A typical garage door can weigh 150–300+ pounds, and the spring system makes it feel light enough for your opener or you to lift.

Without properly functioning springs:

• Your opener strains or fails
• The door feels extremely heavy
• The door may not open at all

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Why Garage Door Springs Are Dangerous to Handle

Garage door springs are under extreme tension.

If handled incorrectly, a spring can:

• Snap violently
• Cause serious hand, arm, or facial injuries
• Damage vehicles or property
• Result in emergency room visits

⚠️ This is not a DIY repair.
Even experienced tradespeople treat spring replacement with caution.

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Types of Garage Door Springs (In Simple Terms)

Torsion Garage Door Springs

• Mounted above the garage door opening
• Most common on modern doors
• Stronger, smoother, longer lifespan

Extension Garage Door Springs

• Found on older systems
• Run along the sides of the door
• Less common today

Both types are dangerous when worn or broken.

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What Is a Garage Door Spring Cycle Count and Why It Matters

Garage door springs are rated by cycles.

👉 One cycle = the door opening and closing once

Most standard springs are rated for:

• 10,000 cycles (entry-level)
• 20,000+ cycles (upgraded/high-cycle)

What does that mean in real life?

Let’s break it down:

• 4 cycles per day (leaving + coming home twice)
• 4 × 365 = ~1,460 cycles per year
• A 10,000-cycle spring lasts 6–7 years
• A 20,000-cycle spring lasts 12–15 years

Busy households, families with teens, or homes using the garage as a main entrance will wear springs much faster.

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Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Failing

Call a professional if you notice:

• 🚪 Door only opens a few inches then stops
• 💥 Loud bang from the garage (often mistaken for something falling)
• ⚖️ Door feels heavy or uneven
• 🔄 Door opens crooked or jerky
• 🔌 Opener strains or stops working
• 👀 Visible gap in the spring

If a garage door spring is broken, do not keep trying to open the door.

What Happens When a Garage Door Spring Breaks?

• Door won’t open
• Loud bang
• Opener strain

According to garage door manufacturers, springs are designed for a limited number of cycles before replacement is required.

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Can You Replace a Garage Door Spring Yourself?

Technically? Yes.
Safely? No.

Tools required (for awareness only):

Professional garage door spring replacement requires specialized tools such as hardened steel winding bars, locking pliers, and precise torque calculations. Because garage door springs are under extreme tension, improper tools or technique can result in serious injury.

• Professional winding bars (not screwdrivers)
• Heavy-duty vice grips
• Proper ladder positioning
• Correct spring sizing and torque calculations
• Safety equipment

Even with the right tools, one mistake can cause serious injury.

This is why spring replacement is best left to trained professionals.

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Why Professional Garage Door Spring Replacement Matters

A professional doesn’t just replace the spring, they:

• Use the correct cycle rating for your lifestyle
• Balance the door properly
• Inspect cables, drums, bearings, and opener strain
• Ensure long-term safety and performance

At Direct Overhead Doors, we install springs designed to last and we do it safely, correctly, and with workmanship you can trust.

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If your garage door is struggling to open or close smoothly, you may also want to read our guide on garage door repairs or learn more about our garage door opener services.

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When in Doubt Don’t Touch It

If your garage door isn’t operating smoothly, stop using it and call a professional. A worn spring doesn’t always break right away, but when it does, it’s sudden.

📞 If you’re unsure, we’re happy to check it before it becomes an emergency.