2026-08-13 7 min read
In our years serving Sherman Oaks and the surrounding San Fernando Valley, we've seen this problem again and again: a homeowner wakes up, presses the garage door opener button, and nothing happens. The door won't open, won't budge, won't even creak. Nine times out of ten, it's a broken spring. This is the single most common reason a garage door stops working, and it's also the most dangerous repair to attempt yourself.
Garage door springs are under extreme tension. A typical residential door weighs 300 to 500 pounds. Two springs work together to counterbalance that weight, making it light enough for your opener motor to lift. Each spring lasts roughly 7 to 9 years before metal fatigue causes it to snap. When one spring breaks, the other can't hold the load alone, and your door becomes essentially immovable.
You'll usually hear a loud bang or crack from the garage when it breaks. Sometimes you'll notice the door hanging unevenly or tilting to one side. Either way, stop here. Do not attempt to manually open it. Do not try to force the opener to work harder. A broken spring requires professional repair.
A functioning spring stores energy equal to hundreds of pounds of force. When a technician replaces a spring, they use specialized winding bars and equipment to manage that tension safely. Without proper tools and training, the spring can snap with enough force to cause serious injury. We've had customers tell us they watched YouTube videos and tried to replace springs themselves. None of them succeeded without incident.
If you're looking for more detail on what makes garage doors fail and how to prevent problems, our earlier post on why your door won't open covers the full range of issues beyond springs.
Listen for the noise first. A loud snap or pop from the garage is the classic sign. Next, look at the door itself. If one side sits higher than the other, or if the door hangs crooked in the frame, a spring has likely snapped. Press your opener button and listen. If the motor runs but the door doesn't move, springs are the culprit. Manual attempt: gently try to lift the door by hand at waist height. A door with a broken spring will feel like deadweight. A healthy door, even without power, lifts fairly easily.
**Need garage door repair in Sherman Oaks today?** Call 888-342-3454. we cover same-day service across the area.
A broken spring replacement typically costs between $200 and $400, depending on spring type and door size. Torsion springs (which run along the center shaft above the door) tend to cost more than extension springs (which run along the sides). Most repairs take 1 to 2 hours. Many homeowners call us expecting to wait days, but Garage Door Company Sherman Oaks offers same-day repair in most cases. The faster you call, the sooner your door works again.
Before you agree to any repair, ask for a written estimate. A reliable technician will assess the springs, check the cables, and verify the opener is still functional before quoting a price. If the springs are broken but the opener and cables are sound, you're looking at a straightforward job. If other components failed at the same time, the estimate may be higher.
You can't prevent spring failure entirely. Metal fatigue is inevitable. What you can do is extend the life of your springs by maintaining proper garage door balance. Have a technician inspect your door annually. Lubricate the springs and hinges twice a year with silicone-based lubricant, not WD-40. Keep the tracks clean and aligned. When you notice the door becoming harder to open or close, or when it moves unevenly, call for a free estimate on our full repair services.
If your door breaks down unexpectedly, don't panic and don't force it. Contact us right now to schedule a same-day repair estimate. We serve Sherman Oaks and nearby areas like Burbank and Studio City with fast, honest service. A broken spring is fixable. Your safety is what matters most.
How long do garage door springs last? Torsion and extension springs typically last 7 to 9 years under normal use, calculated at roughly 10,000 open and close cycles. Springs in garages opened daily may wear out sooner than springs in rarely used doors.
Can I open my garage door manually if the spring is broken? Technically yes, but it's dangerous and unwise. A broken spring removes all counterbalance, making the door extremely heavy and prone to sudden drops. Manual lifting risks injury.
Will a broken spring damage my garage door opener? Not immediately. However, if you force the opener to work on a broken spring, the motor will strain and may burn out. Stop using it and call for repair instead.
How quickly can you repair a broken spring in Sherman Oaks? We often complete spring replacements the same day you call. Response time depends on current demand, but we prioritize safety issues and aim for same-day service whenever possible.
Is it ever safe to replace a garage door spring myself? No. Springs are under dangerous tension and require specialized tools, knowledge, and safety equipment. Professional installation protects you and ensures the repair is done correctly.