2026-05-23 7 min read
In our 15 years serving Duxbury, we've seen this problem again and again: a garage door that won't open, won't close, or moves with a loud grinding noise. Nine times out of ten, it's a broken spring. This isn't a repair you should attempt yourself. Broken springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury. If your door is stuck or not working, a professional inspection costs far less than a trip to the emergency room.
A garage door spring failure doesn't always announce itself dramatically. Sometimes you'll hear a loud bang when it snaps. Other times you'll just notice the door is heavier than usual, or the opener struggles to lift it even a few inches. See our guide on preparing your garage door for fall: essential tips.
Here's what happens inside: your garage door weighs 300 to 500 pounds. Two torsion springs above the door counterbalance that weight. Each spring lasts roughly 7 to 9 years under normal use, depending on how often you open and close the door. When one spring breaks, the other can't support the load alone. The door becomes dangerous to operate.
You might see a visible gap in the spring, or notice the spring is separated at one end. Sometimes the spring looks fine but simply won't hold tension anymore. Either way, the door won't work safely until both springs are replaced. Read about garage door won.
I understand the temptation to save money. Spring replacement looks straightforward until you're standing on a ladder holding 300 pounds of tension in your hands.
Torsion springs are wound so tightly that if the cable slips or the spring comes loose, it can whip across the garage with enough force to cause permanent injury. We've treated homeowners who tried this and ended up with broken fingers, lacerations, or worse. The tools alone (a winding bar, winding cones, a torque wrench) cost money and require training to use correctly.
Beyond safety, a misaligned spring throws off the entire door balance. That puts extra stress on your opener, which then burns out faster. You've now created two problems instead of solving one. Check out our guide on 5 warning signs your garage door springs are about to fail for more detail on what to watch for before a complete failure happens.
If your door won't open or is stuck, here are three quick checks:
First, disconnect the opener and try lifting the door by hand. If it's impossibly heavy or won't budge, a spring is likely broken. A healthy door should lift with moderate effort once you get it moving.
Second, look above the door at both springs. Are they visibly separated, gapped, or hanging loose? That's your answer.
Third, listen to the sound the opener makes. Does it run but the door doesn't move? The spring is broken. Does the door move slowly or jerkily? That could be a spring too, or possibly a sensor or track issue.
**Need garage door repair in Duxbury today?** Call (781) 630-5891. We offer same-day service and can usually get a technician to your home within hours of your call.
Spring replacement typically runs between $250 and $400 per spring, plus labor. If both springs need replacing (which we usually recommend for safety and balance), budget $500 to $800 total. This price varies based on spring size, door weight, and whether your opener needs adjustment afterward.
We always provide a free estimate before any work starts. Get a same-day estimate by calling us or filling out our online form. Knowing the exact cost up front means no surprises when the job is done.
For a full breakdown of what garage door repairs actually cost in the area, see our garage door cost and pricing guide.
Springs wear out faster in coastal New England. Salt air and temperature swings from Duxbury winters put extra stress on metal. We recommend having your springs and hardware inspected every two years. Lubrication helps too. A little silicone spray on the springs and hinges keeps everything moving smoothly and reduces friction that causes premature wear.
Regular maintenance also catches small problems before they become emergencies. A sensor that's slightly misaligned or a track that's bent a quarter inch doesn't seem urgent until your door suddenly stops working on a freezing morning.
Visit our repair services page to see the full range of what we handle.
A broken spring isn't a problem that fixes itself. The door will only get harder to operate, and the longer you wait, the more stress you put on your opener and cables. One broken spring almost always leads to a second failure within months if you don't address it.
Call Duxbury Garage Doors at (781) 630-5891 or schedule a free estimate online. We'll get you back up and running safely.
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Can I replace just one broken spring? No. We always replace both springs together. If one has failed, the other is near the end of its life. Replacing just one creates an imbalance that stresses your opener and door alignment. Both springs should be the same age and specification.
How long does a spring replacement take? Most jobs take 1 to 2 hours from start to finish. We'll have your door tested and balanced before we leave. Same-day appointments are usually available in Duxbury and nearby towns.
Is a broken spring covered by my homeowner's insurance? Rarely. Most homeowner policies don't cover springs because they're considered normal wear and tear. Check your policy, but expect to pay out of pocket. This is why preventive maintenance saves money over time.
What if my door is stuck and I'm locked out of my garage? Call us right away. We can often get the door open manually or manually release the opener so you can raise the door by hand. We also serve emergency calls outside normal business hours.
Do you service garage doors in towns near Duxbury? Yes. We cover Duxbury, Marshfield, Norwell, and surrounding areas. Call (781) 630-5891 to confirm service for your address.