If you’re thinking about buying a home with an older garage, it’s worth getting an estimate to replace garage door springs before you close on the property. Knowing how much a spring replacement will cost can guide your price negotiations.
Many homeowners don’t think about their garage door springs until they break. But these vital components have a limited lifespan and, eventually, need to be replaced. So how long can you expect garage door springs last?
The answer depends on several factors, including the quality of the spring, the frequency of use, and environmental conditions.
The Life Expectancy of Torsion Springs and Extension Springs
Most garage doors rely on the tension of either torsion springs and extension springs or occasionally both. Most torsion springs are advertised with at least a 10,000 life cycle which means that every time a garage door opens and closes, that will take one cycle off of the cycle life.
Therefore, based on how many times the residents of a home open and close their garage, a 10,000 life cycle torsion spring should last 2-14 years. Extension springs tend to have a shorter cycle life than torsion springs, though higher cycle springs may be comparable across the types.
| Cycles Per Day | Estimated Life of Standad Spring rated for 10,000 Cycles (Years) |
| 1 | 27.4 |
| 2 | 13.7 |
| 3 | 9.1 |
| 4 | 6.8 |
| 5 | 5.5 |
| 6 | 4.6 |
| 7 | 3.9 |
| 8 | 3.4 |
| 9 | 3 |
| 10 | 2.7 |
| 11 | 2.5 |
| 12 | 2.3 |
| 13 | 2.1 |
| 14 | 2 |
| 15 | 1.8 |
Heavy Lifting
There are many factors that can have an impact on the lifespan of a torsion spring – such as weight and frequency of use. The weight of the garage door will increase the tension in the springs needed for its operation, thus wearing down the life of its torsion springs sooner. Therefore if you have been burned before by a broken garage door spring, you may want to consider a lighter material for your next garage door replacement.
Why Garage Door Springs Break
The most common reason garage door springs break is because of regular wear and tear, meaning there is less tension in the spring every time it opens and closes your garage door. Eventually, the broken spring will make your door impossible to operate without a costly repair.
The good news is that you can minimize the chance of this happening by checking for broken parts before they get worse and taking an active role in maintaining your garage door springs by having them replaced regularly. When you take the time to care for your garage door, it’s less likely that expensive broken parts will show up unexpectedly!
How to Know Your Garage Door Spring Is Beginning to Fail
Knowing the common signs that your garage door spring is beginning to fail will help you identify when the time has come to seek professional assistance. Most garage door springs have a lifetime of 6-12 years, although extension springs may provide a slightly longer life expectancy, so if yours is older than this, it is likely nearing its end.
Common signs of a failing spring include a noisy and/or jerky movement of the garage door; breaks or rusting on the steel cables attached to it; difficulty when opening or closing your garage due to a lack of tension in the spring; and visible variations from one side to the other in how easily it opens or closes.
Garage Doors and the Cold
In addition, cold weather can impact your spring system as metal is more likely to snap when its molecules are cold and brittle. If you notice any of these common signs in winter, you must prioritize reaching out to a professional before you’re stuck trying to lift a garage with a broken spring on your own.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Garage Door Spring
Replacing a broken garage door spring can be a daunting task. The piece itself tends to cost a few hundred dollars, with labor and installation added on top of that number.
However, keeping up with recommended maintenance, such as lubrication and checking for tension loss, can save you time and money. Additionally, a spring replacement can be planned instead of an unexpected expense with regular maintenance.
Is It Worth Doing Yourself or Hiring a Professional?
With any project involving engines and machinery, hiring a professional is advisable unless you have enough experience and know-how.
This is especially pertinent when considering a garage door system, as even a broken spring can still have tension that requires a specific tool to repair. Replacing your own garage door springs is more than just removing a broken spring as well – it involves getting the new spring back in place without messing up the garage door track.
Keep Rainier Garage Door on Speed Dial for Your Garage Needs
It’s easy to take our garage door springs for granted, but maintaining them is an important part of taking care of your home. You can prevent structural damage and expensive repair costs by keeping an eye out for noticeable signs that something is wrong before it breaks.
If you need help regarding your garage door needs, contact Rainier Garage Door; we’d be more than happy to lend a hand!
