Broken Garage Door Spring? Here’s What You Need to Know

Is a Broken Spring Preventing My Garage Door From Opening?

If you’ve ever heard a loud bang from your garage and suddenly your door won’t open, chances are, you’ve got a broken spring.

Garage door springs are small but mighty components that do the heavy lifting (literally) every time you open or close your door. When one breaks, your whole system can grind to a halt.

At Garage Door Specialists of Neenah, we help homeowners across Neenah, Appleton, and the Fox Cities get their garage doors back up and running safely and quickly. Here’s what you need to know about garage door springs, how to identify problems, and when to call in a pro.

What Do Garage Door Springs Actually Do?

Your garage door may weigh 150–300 pounds, but you don’t feel it because springs are doing the lifting behind the scenes.

Springs store energy as tension and use that power to raise and lower your garage door. If one breaks, your opener might struggle or fail entirely to move the door. That’s why a sudden failure usually means your garage door just won’t budge.

Trying to lift a garage door with a broken spring can be dangerous. It’s not just heavy, it’s unbalanced. Always call a trained technician to avoid injury.

Types of Garage Door Springs

There are two main types of springs you’ll find in garage door systems: torsion springs and extension springs. Here’s how to tell which kind you have and what makes each unique.

Torsion Springs

• Location: Mounted above the garage door.

• How they work: Use torque to turn and lift the door in a smooth, controlled motion.

• Pros: Safer, longer-lasting, smoother operation.

• Types:

  • Standard torsion springs (most common, for pro installs)

  • EZ-Set torsion springs (DIY-friendly, wound by drill)

  • TorqueMaster (enclosed, compact, safer)

Torsion springs are ideal for most homes in Neenah and Appleton because they require less maintenance and offer better performance in cold Wisconsin winters.

Extension Springs

• Location: On either side of the door, running parallel to the tracks.

• How they work: Stretch and contract to counterbalance the door.

• Pros: More affordable.

• Cons: Higher risk if a spring snaps (but safety cables help prevent injury).

• Types of ends:

  • Open-looped (easy to replace)

  • Double-looped (stronger but harder to replace)

  • Clipped ends (most durable, used on heavier doors)

If your home has a single-car garage with a lighter door, you may have extension springs. Heavier double-car doors often rely on torsion systems.

How to Tell Which Spring System You Have

Here’s a quick checklist to identify your setup:

• Look up: A single spring above the door = torsion spring. Springs on the sides = extension.

• Check the ends: Torsion = cone-shaped ends. Extension = loops or clips.

• Follow the hardware: Torsion springs attach to a metal bar; extension springs use pulleys.

Should You Replace Both Springs at Once?

Yes—especially if your door uses two springs. If one fails, the other is likely close behind. Replacing both ensures balance and extends the lifespan of your opener and cables.

How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?

Most factory springs are rated for 10,000 cycles—that’s about 7–10 years for the average household. But if your family is like most in Northeast Wisconsin, with multiple drivers going in and out daily, that number adds up fast.

At Garage Door Specialists of Neenah, we offer premium springs rated up to 150,000 cycles, covered under a lifetime warranty for total peace of mind.

Why Torsion Springs Are the Better Choice

While both spring types do the job, torsion springs are:

• Safer (less risk if they break)

• Quieter and smoother

• Longer-lasting

• Easier on your garage door opener

If you’re replacing your spring system, upgrading to torsion springs is a smart investment, especially if you want fewer repairs down the road.

Get Spring Repair Done Right in Neenah, Appleton & the Fox Valley

Broken garage door springs are more than inconvenient—they’re a safety hazard. Whether your spring just snapped or your door is struggling to open, we’re here to help.

At Garage Door Specialists of Neenah, we:

• Replace broken torsion and extension springs

• Offer same-day service in Neenah, Appleton, Menasha, and surrounding areas

• Back our work with warranty-protected parts

• Help you determine if a spring upgrade is the right call

Call us today for fast, reliable garage spring repair
Visit our website to book your free estimate
Proudly serving homeowners across Northeast Wisconsin