Snapped Garage Door Spring, What to Do

A snapped garage door spring is one of the most common issues we deal with. It is also one of the most important to handle correctly, because garage door springs are under enormous tension and can be extremely dangerous if mishandled.

How Do I Know My Spring Has Snapped?

The signs are usually obvious. You may have heard a loud bang from the garage, this is the sound of the spring releasing its stored energy. The door will feel much heavier than normal, may only open partway, or may not open at all. On a canopy up-and-over door, you might see the two halves of the broken spring hanging either side of the bracket above the door.

Do Not Attempt a DIY Repair

This is the single most important piece of advice we can give. Garage door springs are under extreme tension. A torsion spring on a standard single garage door stores enough energy to cause serious injury. Even extension springs on older canopy doors can whip loose with considerable force.

Every year, people are injured attempting to replace garage door springs themselves. The correct tools, training and experience are essential. Please leave spring replacement to a qualified garage door engineer.

Can I Still Use the Door?

We strongly advise against trying to operate the door with a broken spring. Without the counterbalance the spring provides, the full weight of the door (typically 40-80kg for a single steel door) bears on the mechanism, the tracks, and, if you try to lift it manually, on you. Electric operators may stall or be damaged attempting to lift an unbalanced door.

What Should I Do?

1. Stop using the door. Do not attempt to open or close it.
2. Disconnect the electric operator if you have one, to prevent it from trying to cycle the door.
3. Call a professional. A qualified engineer can replace the spring safely, usually in under an hour.

How Much Does a Spring Replacement Cost?

A typical spring replacement for a single garage door, including the call-out, parts and labour, is usually between £120 and £200. If the cables or other components have also been damaged, the cost may be slightly higher. We always provide a price before carrying out any work.

How Long Do Springs Last?

Most garage door springs are rated for approximately 10,000-25,000 cycles (one open and one close equals one cycle). For a typical household opening the door twice a day, that translates to roughly 10-15 years. If your spring has failed after many years of use, it has simply reached the end of its natural life.

If your spring has snapped, contact us and we will aim to attend as quickly as possible, often same-day or next-morning.

Safety note: the Health and Safety Executive lists stored mechanical energy, including springs under tension, as a recognised hazard. See the HSE guidance on work equipment and machinery.