Garage door spring repair in Winston-Salem

Signs of a broken garage door spring

• A sudden bang like a gunshot from the garage, usually when nobody is using the door
• A 1 to 3 inch gap in the coiled spring on the bar above the door
• The door lifts a few inches and the opener stops or reverses
• The door feels like it weighs 200 pounds when you try it by hand
• Lift cables are slack or have come off their drums
• The door closes much faster than normal, or slams

Torsion springs vs extension springs

Torsion springs sit on a steel bar above the door. Most homes built in the last 25 years have them, including most newer subdivisions around Clemmons, Lewisville and Kernersville. They're balanced, quiet, and last longer, but they hold a lot of stored energy.

Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on each side and stretch when the door closes. They're common on older single-car garages, like many of the detached garages in Ardmore and West End. They should always have a safety cable running through the middle so a broken spring can't whip across the garage.

What a spring replacement visit looks like

1. Measure

   The tech measures wire size, inside diameter and length, and checks your door's weight and height so the new springs are matched to it.

2. Unwind and replace

   Using winding bars, they safely release any remaining tension, swap the springs, and reset the cables on the drums.

3. Balance and test

   They wind the new springs to the right number of turns, then test that the door stays put when lifted halfway by hand.

Why spring replacement isn't a DIY job

A wound torsion spring stores enough energy to break a wrist or worse if a bar slips. Using screwdrivers instead of real winding bars is how most injuries happen. Garage door companies replace springs every day with the right tools, and it usually takes under an hour.

Questions about garage door springs

How do I know my garage door spring is broken?

The usual signs are a loud bang from the garage, a visible gap in the coiled spring above the door, a door that feels extremely heavy, an opener that strains and stops after a few inches, or cables hanging loose.

Should both springs be replaced at the same time?

On a two-spring door, yes in most cases. Both springs have done the same number of cycles, so the second one is close to failing too. Replacing both also keeps the door balanced.

How long do garage door springs last?

Standard torsion springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles, which is 7 to 12 years for most families. High-cycle springs rated for 25,000 cycles or more cost a bit more and last much longer.

Can I open the garage with a broken spring?

Not safely. The full weight of the door is on the opener and on you. If your car is stuck inside, call a technician rather than forcing the door.