How often should I have my garage door serviced?

We recommend having your garage door professionally serviced at least once a year. Regular maintenance helps prevent unexpected breakdowns, extends the life of your door, and ensures safe operation. Our technicians will lubricate moving parts, check the balance, tighten hardware, inspect safety features, and identify potential issues before they become major problems. If your door gets heavy use or is exposed to harsh weather conditions, you may benefit from more frequent service—twice a year is ideal for most commercial applications.

What are signs that my garage door springs need replacement?

There are several warning signs that indicate your garage door springs may need replacement: the door feels unusually heavy when lifting manually, the door doesn't open or close smoothly, you hear loud squeaking or grinding noises during operation, there are visible gaps in the spring coils, the door opens unevenly or crooked, or you notice visible rust or corrosion on the springs. If you observe any of these signs, contact us immediately. Never attempt to replace garage door springs yourself—they are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury. Our technicians have the proper training and tools to safely replace your springs.

Do you offer emergency garage door repair services?

Yes, we offer 24/7 emergency garage door repair services throughout Lomita and the greater South Bay area. We understand that a broken garage door can compromise your home's security and disrupt your daily routine. Our emergency technicians are available around the clock to handle urgent situations such as a door stuck open or closed, broken springs, off-track doors, opener failures, and security breaches. Simply call us at 424-356-1778, and we'll dispatch a technician to your location as quickly as possible. Emergency service is available 365 days a year, including holidays.

Broken Garage Door Springs: Why They Fail and How to Fix Them in Lomita

Name: Garage Door Lomita
Address: 1703 244Th St, Lomita, CA, 90717, US
Telephone: 424-356-1778
Price range: $$

2026-08-02 8 min read

Most people don't think about their garage door until something breaks. Then suddenly you're stuck with a door that won't open, and you realize the culprit is usually one thing: a broken spring. After 15 years working the trucks in Lomita and across the South Bay, I've replaced thousands of springs. Here's what you need to know before calling for help.

What Causes Garage Door Springs to Break?

Your garage door springs are under constant tension. A typical residential spring supports 300 to 400 pounds of weight every single time the door cycles. Over time, metal fatigues. Most springs last 7 to 9 years with average use (about 10,000 cycles). That's not a defect. That's physics. See our guide on garage door won.

Moisture and salt air accelerate failure. If you live near the coast here in Lomita or anywhere in the South Bay, you're fighting coastal corrosion constantly. The salt in the air eats into metal faster than inland homeowners deal with. I've seen springs fail 2 to 3 years early just from that exposure.

Poor maintenance speeds things up too. A spring that never gets lubricated or inspected will fail sooner. Temperature swings matter. Cold weather doesn't break springs outright, but it makes them brittle and more prone to snapping under load. Read about weather stripping & seals in lomita: stop drafts and energy loss.

How to Know Your Spring is Broken

When a spring breaks, your door won't open or will feel incredibly heavy if you try to force it. Some doors have two springs (torsion springs above the door), and if one snaps, the other bears double the load. You might hear a loud bang or crack when it happens. That sound is the spring giving way.

Never try to open a door with a broken spring yourself. The door can slam shut and cause serious injury. The opener motor will strain trying to lift dead weight. You could burn out the opener entirely, which turns a $300 spring repair into a $1,200 opener replacement.

If your door is stuck or won't open, troubleshoot the basics first to rule out other issues, but don't force anything. Call a professional the same day it happens.

**Need garage door repair in Lomita today?** Call (424) 356-1778. we cover same-day service across the area.

Spring Repair vs. Replacement

When a spring breaks, you have one choice: replace it. Springs can't be welded back or patched. Attempting a quick fix is dangerous and won't hold.

The real question is whether to replace one spring or both. If one spring breaks and the other is 6+ years old, I always recommend replacing both at the same time. Here's why. The second spring will fail soon after, and you'll be right back out here paying service fees again. Replacing both springs together costs less in the long run than two separate service calls.

Professional spring replacement typically takes 1 to 2 hours. We'll inspect the rest of your door system while we're here, check the cables, the opener, and the tracks. Learn more about what professional garage door repair includes on our services page.

Why DIY Spring Repair is a Bad Idea

I see homeowners watch YouTube videos and think they can tackle this themselves. Don't. Torsion springs are wound under extreme tension. If you slip, the spring can snap and cause serious cuts or broken bones. Garage door springs injure thousands of people every year.

The tools alone cost several hundred dollars. A professional has the right equipment, insurance, and experience to do this safely in under two hours. The cost difference between DIY and professional is smaller than most people think, especially when you factor in the risk.

Get a free estimate for spring repair and see actual pricing from Garage Door Lomita. No hidden fees, no surprises.

Prevention and Maintenance

The best strategy is preventing premature failure. Lubricate your springs and tracks every 3 months with garage door lubricant (not WD-40). Keep the door balanced and aligned. An out-of-balance door puts extra stress on springs and shortens their life.

Annual maintenance inspections catch wear early. A technician can spot a spring that's losing tension before it snaps. If you're in Lomita or the surrounding area and haven't had your door serviced in over a year, schedule your annual tune-up today.

What to Expect When You Call for Repair

When you call us with a broken spring, we'll ask a few quick questions. Is the door stuck in the open or closed position? Do you hear any unusual sounds? We'll give you an honest estimate and usually arrive same-day for emergency calls.

We use heavy-duty replacement springs rated for your specific door weight and size. We'll test the door after installation to ensure it opens and closes smoothly. The whole job is guaranteed.

Don't wait if you suspect a broken spring. A stuck garage door disrupts your whole day and leaves your home less secure. Call (424) 356-1778 or schedule a free quote online right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a garage door spring replacement cost? Spring replacement typically runs $250 to $450 per spring, depending on your door type and spring size. Replacing both springs at once costs more upfront but saves money compared to two separate service calls. See our full pricing guide for Lomita.

Can I open my garage door if the spring is broken? No. Never force the door open manually or with the opener. A broken spring removes critical support, and the door could slam shut and cause injury. Call a professional immediately.

How long do garage door springs last? Most residential torsion springs last 7 to 9 years with typical use (roughly 10,000 cycles). Coastal areas like Lomita see faster failure due to salt air corrosion. Regular maintenance extends lifespan.

What's the difference between torsion and extension springs? Torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the door and wind tightly when the door closes. Extension springs run along the tracks on each side and stretch. Torsion springs are more common in modern homes and safer overall.

Can one broken spring damage my garage door opener? Yes. If one spring breaks, the opener motor must lift the full door weight alone, which strains and can burn out the motor. Replace broken springs immediately to avoid secondary damage.

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