Broken Garage Door Spring? Here Is Everything Renton Homeowners Need to Know

It usually happens at the worst possible time. You are rushing to work in the morning, you hit the wall button, and... nothing. Or maybe you heard a loud "bang" from the garage last night that sounded like a gunshot.

If your garage door is heavy, won't open, or looks crooked, you are likely dealing with the #1 enemy of garage doors: A broken torsion spring.

At Instant Garage Door, we replace thousands of springs across Renton, Kent, and Seattle every year. Based on the most common questions we get from customers, here is your survival guide.

1. How Do I Know If My Spring Is Broken?

You don't need to be an expert. Look above your garage door (closed position). You should see a long metal coil on a bar. If that coil has a visible gap of 2-3 inches in the middle, it has snapped.

Other signs include:

• The door opens a few inches and stops.
• The cables look loose or disconnected.
• The garage door opener is humming but the door isn't moving (don't force it, you will burn out the motor!).

2. The Big Question: Can I Replace a Garage Door Spring Myself?

We see "DIY Garage Door Spring" searches all the time. Our honest answer? Please don't.

The spring system is under extreme tension to lift a 300+ pound door. One wrong move with a winding bar can result in severe injury to your hands or face. It is cited as one of the most dangerous home repairs.

Professional technicians use the right tools and know exactly how many "turns" your specific door weight requires.

3. "How Much Does Spring Replacement Cost in Washington?"

We believe in transparency. While prices vary based on the size of your door (single vs. double) and the type of spring, here is what you are paying for:

• The Springs: We only use "High-Cycle" springs. Standard builder-grade springs last about 10,000 cycles (open/close). Ours are rated for 20,000+ cycles, meaning they last twice as long.
• The Labor: Safe removal of the old snapped spring and precision winding of the new one.
• The Balance: A perfectly balanced door can be lifted with one hand. If it's not balanced, your opener will break.

4. How Do I Open My Garage Door With a Broken Spring?

If your car is trapped, do not try to lift the door with the electric opener. You will strip the gears.

Ideally, wait for a technician. If it is a life-or-death emergency, you can pull the red emergency release cord and try to lift the door manually, BUT you will need help. Without the spring, the door is "dead weight." It is extremely heavy and dangerous.

5. Why Choose Instant Garage Door for Springs?

We don't just swap the part and leave. We perform a 25-point safety inspection to ensure your cables, rollers, and hinges are in top shape. We serve the entire Puget Sound area, and our reviews speak for themselves.