7 min read
A customer called last Tuesday morning. His garage door wouldn't budge. No sound from the opener, no movement at all. Within seconds on the phone, we knew: snapped torsion spring. He'd heard a loud bang the night before but assumed it was nothing. Without that spring, his door was a 400-pound anchor. We showed up in two hours and had him back in business by lunch. This scenario plays out multiple times a week in New London, and most homeowners have no idea what hit them.
Your garage door springs do nearly all the heavy lifting. Most residential doors in New London use either torsion springs or extension springs. Torsion springs sit above the door and twist to lift it. Extension springs run along the sides and stretch. Either way, these springs support roughly 200 pounds of force per spring on a typical door. Without them working, your door stays down. Your car stays in. Your sense of security evaporates. See our guide on garage door maintenance in new london: what you really need to do.
Springs last 7 to 9 years with normal use, though humidity and temperature swings in Connecticut can accelerate wear. Never attempt to replace a spring yourself. The tension is lethal. People die from snapped springs every year in the United States.
Listen for a loud bang or crack coming from the garage. That sound often means a spring just broke. If your door opens unevenly, with one side higher than the other, a spring has likely lost tension. The door may refuse to open at all, or it may fall suddenly when you try to close it. Some homeowners notice the door feeling heavier than usual or jerking as it moves. Read about commercial garage doors in new london: what business owners really need to know.
A preventive maintenance tune-up catches failing springs before they snap. We inspect tension during every service call and can spot a spring nearing the end of its life. If you're wondering about your door's overall health, read our guide to garage door maintenance in New London to understand what else might need attention.
**Need garage door springs in New London today?** Call 203-889-9074. We cover same-day service across the area.
A single torsion spring replacement typically runs $200 to $350 in labor plus parts. Extension springs are usually $150 to $250 per spring. If both springs need replacement, expect closer to $400 to $600 total, depending on door size and spring quality. An estimate is always free. We'll inspect the entire door, check the opener and cables, and give you an honest number before we touch anything.
Some homeowners delay repairs thinking they'll save money. That logic backfires. A snapped spring puts stress on your opener and cables. That stress leads to opener failure, which costs $500 to $1,200 to replace. Explore our full breakdown of spring replacement costs in New London if you want details on what factors affect your final bill.
Stop trying to open the door. Do not force it. Do not use the garage door opener. Forcing a broken spring can damage the cables, tracks, and opener.
If you're locked out of your garage and need your car immediately, call a tow service or take a rideshare. Your safety beats convenience every time. A broken spring can't be jury-rigged or ignored. It requires professional replacement.
Contact Garage Door Company New London for a same-day estimate. Our team responds to New London and surrounding areas including Waterford, Groton, and Norwich. We stock springs in common sizes and often finish jobs the same day you call, assuming we arrive before late afternoon.
The most cost-effective approach is regular maintenance. Our spring inspection catches problems before catastrophic failure. We also test balance, lubricate moving parts, and spot cable wear early. Learn what a full maintenance tune-up includes and why skipping it costs you later.
Browse our complete spring services and schedule a free quote today. Don't wait for the bang.
How long does a garage door spring replacement take? Most single-spring jobs take 1 to 2 hours. Dual springs take slightly longer. If parts are in stock, we often finish on the same day you call. Travel time within New London is included.
Can I use my garage door opener while the spring is broken? No. Using the opener with a broken spring will damage the cables and opener mechanism. The door will not operate safely and repairs will cost more.
Do both springs always fail at the same time? Not always, but springs installed together age together. If one fails, the other is likely close behind. We recommend replacing both during the same service visit.
What's the difference between torsion and extension springs? Torsion springs twist above the door and are safer, more durable, and last longer. Extension springs stretch along the sides and are cheaper upfront but wear faster. Most modern doors use torsion.
Will homeowners insurance cover spring replacement? Rarely. Most policies exclude wear-and-tear repairs. Contact your insurer to confirm, but plan to pay out of pocket. Springs are a maintenance cost, not a covered loss.