2026-04-05 6 min read
It usually happens without much warning. You press the button, hear a sharp bang from inside the garage, and the door barely moves. or doesn't move at all. That sound is almost always a broken torsion spring, and it's the single most common serious garage door failure we see here in Burlington.
If it's happened to you, the good news is it's fixable same-day in most cases. The less good news is that it's not cheap, it's not a DIY project, and understanding what you're actually paying for helps you avoid getting overcharged or underserved. Here's an honest breakdown.
Garage door springs carry almost all of the door's weight every time it opens and closes. Without them, most residential doors weigh between 130 and 200 pounds. far too heavy for an opener motor to manage on its own, and dangerous to lift manually. Springs counterbalance that weight so your opener only has to do the last few percent of the work.
There are two types you'll encounter in Burlington homes:
- Torsion springs. mounted horizontally on a bar above the door. Most homes built in Burlington's newer neighbourhoods like Alton Village and Millcroft use these. They're more durable, operate more smoothly, and are the standard for modern sectional doors. - Extension springs. run along the horizontal tracks on each side of the door. More common in older homes and in areas like Mountainside and Aldershot where some garages still have single-panel or older sectional doors. They're generally less expensive but don't last as long and can be more hazardous if they snap.
Both types are rated by cycle count. Most standard springs are rated for approximately 10,000 cycles. roughly 7 to 10 years for a household that opens the garage two to four times a day. However, Burlington's climate adds stress: the repeated freeze-thaw cycles we get from December through March cause metal to contract and expand, accelerating wear on springs that are already under constant tension.
Prices vary depending on spring type, door size, and whether you need one spring or two. For most Burlington homeowners, a professional spring replacement. parts and labour. typically runs between $270 and $510 depending on the complexity of the job.
A few factors that move that number up or down:
- Torsion vs. extension: Torsion springs cost more due to their construction and longer lifespan. - Door size: A large double-car door in a Shoreacres or Roseland home will require heavier-rated springs than a standard single-car door. - One spring or two: Industry professionals consistently recommend replacing both springs at the same time, even if only one has broken. The logic is straightforward. if one spring has reached the end of its life, the other is close behind. Replacing both now saves you another service call (and another labour fee) within months. - Additional wear: If cables, rollers, or other hardware are visibly worn at the time of the repair, replacing them at the same visit is almost always more cost-effective than a return trip.
Be cautious of quotes that seem unusually low. Extremely cheap quotes often indicate either low-quality parts or hidden fees that appear after work begins. Ask specifically what spring quality and cycle rating is included in the quote.
This point is worth being direct about: garage door spring replacement is genuinely dangerous for anyone who hasn't been trained to do it. Springs store enormous mechanical energy. enough to cause serious injury if mishandled. A spring that releases unexpectedly can cause broken bones or worse. This isn't a scare tactic; it's a consistent finding from every garage door professional who works in this field.
The tools required are specialized, the tension involved is significant, and incorrect sizing or installation leads to a door that's either unsafe or will fail again quickly. One Ontario homeowner who attempted a DIY spring replacement mis-measured the door weight. the incorrectly rated spring snapped again within weeks, damaging the track and resulting in a much more expensive professional repair.
For context on what a properly functioning door should look and sound like, and what warning signs to watch for, our post on recognizing when your door needs professional repair is worth reading before you decide whether to wait or call.
A good technician will:
1. Confirm the spring type and measure the door weight to select the correct replacement 2. Replace both springs (not just the broken one) if they're the same age 3. Inspect cables, rollers, and hardware for any wear that should be addressed at the same time 4. Test door balance and auto-reverse function before leaving 5. Provide a clear invoice with parts and labour listed separately
If a company can't give you a reasonably firm quote over the phone after asking basic questions about your door, that's a yellow flag. Most experienced technicians can estimate accurately once they know the door width, whether it's single or double, and the spring type.
For a full picture of what Garage Door Burlington offers for spring repairs and other services, visit our services page or check the FAQ page for common questions about parts and warranties.
Once you've had springs replaced, a few habits can push the next replacement further down the road:
- Lubricate springs every six months with a silicone-based spray. especially before winter. This reduces friction and slows corrosion. Burlington's road salt environment means moisture gets everywhere, and exposed metal corrodes faster than you'd expect. - Don't ignore small signs of trouble. Squeaking, uneven movement, or a door that feels heavier than usual when lifted manually are all early indicators. Catching issues early is far cheaper than emergency replacements. - Annual balance test. Disconnect the opener, lift the door to waist height, and let go. It should stay put. If it drifts up or drops, spring tension is off and needs adjustment.
Hamilton homeowners dealing with similar issues will recognize this same climate-driven wear pattern. Burlington and Hamilton share nearly identical winter conditions, and the maintenance advice applies equally on both sides of the city boundary.
If your spring has already broken or you're hearing warning signs, contact us to schedule a same-day visit. Don't try to operate the door in the meantime. running an opener with a broken spring puts unnecessary strain on the motor and can cause secondary damage that adds to the repair cost.
Q: Can I still use my garage door if one spring is broken? A: No. and you shouldn't try. Without a functioning spring, the door's full weight falls on the opener motor, which can burn it out. More importantly, manually lifting or lowering a door without spring counterbalance is physically dangerous given the weight involved. Keep the door closed and call a technician.
Q: Should I replace both springs even if only one broke? A: Yes, in almost every case. Springs wear at roughly the same rate since they go through the same number of cycles together. If one has broken, the other is likely close to its limit. Replacing both at once saves you the labour cost of a second service call within months, and keeps the door properly balanced.
Q: How do I know if my existing springs are getting close to the end of their life? A: Visible rust or corrosion on the coils, a door that feels noticeably heavier when lifted manually, unusual noises during operation (grinding, popping), or a gap in the spring coil itself are all clear indicators. If your door system is over seven years old and you can't recall the springs ever being serviced, it's worth having a technician take a look during a routine maintenance visit.