If you are struggling to get in and out of your garage, it could be because the garage spring needs replacing. If a garage spring is no longer working as it should, the door will become very heavy, and you will usually hear the loud sound of the tension spring snapping when you try to open it. Replacing a garage spring can be a rather specialist job, so if you don’t feel confident enough, hire a professional to do the work for you. However, if you are up for the challenge and confident with DIY, here’s what you need to know about replacing the garage spring on your own.
Firstly, it’s important to understand the different types of garage door springs. These usually fall into two main categories: extension springs and torsion springs. Each category has different versions.
Extension springs will run parallel to the horizontal garage door tracks. Typically, they are thin and long to enable them to stretch with the movement of the garage door. Pulleys and cables are also present on a garage door that has an extension spring, along with safety cables since the extension spring snapping off can be particularly dangerous. If safety cables are not present in your garage door system, it’s a good idea to install them along with the new springs.
Torsion springs have become the standard choice of spring for pretty much any new garage door, and most of the time, a professional will advise that you replace a broken extension spring with a torsion spring since they are safer and easier on the door. They are located horizontally on a metal shaft that is placed just above the door opening, with an aluminum drum on each end. Pulleys and cables are also used to move the door.
Extension springs are typically the easiest type of garage door spring to replace. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential safety risks that are involved in replacing them, including the door falling. To replace these springs, the garage door should be fully opened and secured with C-clamps on the door tracks to hold it in place. You should also disconnect the automatic garage door opener if you have one. Then, disconnect the spring from the track bracket and spring pulley, and remove the safety cable from its bracket to completely remove the old, broken spring. Now you can install new springs, re-install the pulley and reconnect the safety cable.
To replace a torsion spring, you will need to close the garage door and hold it in place using C-clamps. Disconnect the garage door opener before you begin working. You will then need to use a winding bar which is inserted into the winding cone to unload the springs and release the tension from them. The springs and lift cables should then both be disconnected. Then, you can attach the new springs and re-attach the lift cables. You can then use winding bars to load and anchor the new torsion springs.
If you have the skills and DIY experience to replace the garage door springs on your own and are planning to purchase the new springs yourself, the cost is quite low. Extension springs cost around $20-$100 for a pair depending on the type that you go for. It’s important to select the right springs; you can make sure that you are using the right ones by checking the weight of your garage door and finding the spring with color-coding that correlates to the correct weight.
Torsion springs are often more expensive, with a pair costing from around $30-$100. When choosing torsion springs, it’s important to get the correct size, type, and orientation.
On the other hand, if you’re not feeling confident enough to change the broken spring on your garage door on your own, you can call in a professional to help. The cost of this will vary depending on who you choose, their experience, and the extent of the work that is required. A professional will usually be able to provide the correct materials including new springs included in the job.
Before hiring a garage door installer, it’s worth spending some time getting a few quotes to ensure that you find the right price for the job. On average, you can expect to pay around $200 for the materials and labor for an extension spring replacement, and around $300 if your garage has torsion springs. You may pay more if you want to replace existing extension springs with new torsion springs.
A broken spring on your garage door can be unsafe, along with leading to all kinds of problems that could even leave you unable to use your garage. If you have the DIY skill and experience, it’s possible to replace the spring yourself.
