2026-03-27 6 min read
There's a sound that a lot of East Boston homeowners have described to us over the years: a sharp bang. almost like a gunshot. coming from the garage, usually in the morning. Then they go to open the door and it either won't budge, or the opener runs but the door barely moves. That sound is a garage door spring breaking under tension, and it's one of the most common repair calls we handle across East Boston, Revere, and Chelsea.
The good news is that springs rarely fail completely without warning. There are real signs that something is wearing out weeks or months before it snaps. Knowing what to look for can save you from being stuck with a door you can't open. or worse, a door that drops unexpectedly.
Your garage door weighs hundreds of pounds. The springs are what make it feel light. They store mechanical energy as they wind or stretch, using that stored tension to counterbalance the door's weight so your opener motor only needs to guide it. not lift the full load.
When springs fail, two things happen: the door becomes dangerously heavy, and the opener motor starts doing work it was never designed to do. Running a door with a failing spring is one of the fastest ways to burn out a motor. For more on how the motor fits into this, our motor repair complete guide explains exactly what happens when the opener takes on too much strain.
Torsion springs are the horizontal coiled springs mounted above the door opening. They work by twisting to store energy and are the standard in most modern garage doors. They're more durable, last longer, and are considered safer when they break because they're contained on a shaft.
Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door and work by stretching. They're often found on older East Boston homes. the wood-frame multifamilies in Eagle Hill and the historic row-houses near Maverick Square were largely built before torsion spring systems became standard. Extension springs are less expensive but wear out faster and can be more dangerous when they snap because there's more uncontrolled movement.
If you're not sure which type you have, look above and beside your door. Coils above the door = torsion. Long springs running sideways along the tracks = extension.
Disconnect the opener and try to lift the door manually to about waist height. A properly balanced door should hold that position on its own without drifting up or down. If it feels like you're lifting a car door, or it slowly sinks when you let go, the springs have likely lost tension or one has already failed.
A spring breaking under full tension makes a sharp, sudden crack. If you heard something like that and now the door won't open properly, stop using the door completely and call for service. Operating the door with a broken spring can damage cables, the opener, and the door panels themselves.
For torsion springs, look directly above the door opening. A healthy spring has tightly wound coils with no daylight between them. A gap of two inches or more means the spring has snapped. For extension springs, look for coils that are visibly stretched out or hanging loose.
If one side of the door rises faster than the other, or the door looks tilted while moving, one spring has likely failed while the other is still working. This is hard on the cables, the tracks, and the remaining spring, which will be carrying double the load.
Given East Boston's proximity to the harbor and the salt moisture in the air year-round, rust on springs is a legitimate concern here. more so than in inland neighborhoods. A rusty spring is more brittle and significantly more prone to snapping. If you see orange streaking or flaking on the coils, don't wait for a break. Schedule an inspection.
If your opener has started making grinding or straining noises it didn't used to make, the springs may no longer be providing enough counterbalance. The motor is picking up the slack. and it won't do that indefinitely before something gives.
Most standard springs are rated for approximately 10,000 cycles, where one cycle equals one full open and one full close. At four cycles per day. typical for a family home where the garage is the main entry. that works out to roughly seven to nine years. Use it more often and they wear out faster.
If you've lived in your East Boston home for more than seven years and can't remember the last time the springs were replaced, it's worth a professional inspection before the next winter season hits.
It's also worth knowing that when one spring breaks, the other is usually close behind. Most reputable technicians. including the team at East Boston Garage Doors. will recommend replacing both at the same time. The cost difference is small; the peace of mind is significant.
Garage door springs are under extreme tension. That stored energy is what makes them functional. and what makes them dangerous. Removing or adjusting a spring without the right tools and training can result in the spring releasing violently, causing serious injury. This is not a cautionary exaggeration; it's the reason professional technicians use specialized winding bars and clamps.
Don't attempt to replace springs yourself. If you suspect a problem, stop using the door and contact us for a same-day inspection.
If you use your garage door heavily. a busy household, or one where the garage is the primary entrance and exit. it's worth asking about high-cycle springs when you replace. These use thicker steel and can be rated for 20,000 or even 30,000 cycles, lasting two to three times longer than standard springs. The upfront cost is higher, but the long-term math usually works in your favor. You can review what that kind of upgrade typically costs as part of a broader installation in our installation pricing guide.
For a full overview of what we offer. from spring replacement to full system inspections. visit our services page.
Q: Can I open my garage door manually if a spring is broken?
A: Technically yes, but you shouldn't. A door without functioning springs can weigh several hundred pounds and drop without warning. If you absolutely need to open it. for example, to get a car out. do it with two people, move slowly, and use something to prop the door open. Then call for service before using the opener again.
Q: My springs look fine but the door is still struggling. What else could it be?
A: Several things can mimic a spring problem: worn rollers, a misaligned track, dried-out hinges, or a failing opener motor. The balance test (manually lifting to mid-height and letting go) is the best quick diagnostic. If the door stays put, springs are probably not the issue. If it drifts or won't lift easily, they likely are. A technician can diagnose the exact cause quickly.
Q: Is it true that springs break more in winter?
A: Yes. cold temperatures make metal more brittle, which is why spring failures spike in winter and early spring around Boston. The freeze-thaw cycles that East Boston experiences due to its coastal location add extra stress on top of normal cycle wear. Getting an inspection each fall. before the first hard freeze. is the best way to catch a spring that's near the end of its life before it fails at the worst possible time.