2026-04-12 7 min read
If you've ever walked into your garage on a wet Oregon morning and hit the opener button only to watch the door shudder a few inches and stop. a broken spring is often to blame. In Lebanon, where we deal with damp winters, temperature swings between freezing nights and mild afternoons, and homes ranging from midcentury ranch-styles to newer builds out in Cascade Estates and South Lebanon, garage door springs take a real beating year after year. This is one of the most common service calls we handle, and also one of the most misunderstood repairs.
Your springs are doing the heavy lifting every single time the door moves. They counterbalance the door's weight. typically 150 to 300 pounds. so the opener motor doesn't have to strain with every cycle. Without functioning springs, the opener alone can't safely raise the door, and trying to force it can damage the motor, cables, and tracks.
There are two main types used in residential homes:
- Torsion springs: Mounted horizontally above the door opening. These are more durable, provide better balance, and are standard on most newer Lebanon homes. - Extension springs: Run along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door. More common on older homes and lighter doors. Less expensive upfront, but typically need replacing sooner.
Springs don't always snap without warning. Watch for these signals:
- The door opens only 6 to 8 inches and then stops. the opener's safety mechanism kicks in when it detects unusual resistance, A loud bang from the garage, even when the door wasn't in use (that's often the sound of a spring snapping under tension) - Visible gaps or separation in a torsion spring coil, The door feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it manually, Uneven movement. one side rising faster than the other
If your door is showing any of these signs, it's worth reviewing our guide on common garage door warning signs before calling for service.
Lebanon sits in the Willamette Valley with a Mediterranean-influenced climate. mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. The city sees higher rainfall during the wet season, with moisture levels that affect metal components throughout your garage. Cold overnight temperatures combined with damp conditions accelerate rust and metal fatigue in spring coils. Most springs are rated for 10,000 cycles (one cycle = one open and one close). At four cycles per day, that's roughly seven years. but springs in humid Oregon conditions can wear faster if they're not regularly lubricated and inspected.
For homeowners near the South Santiam River area or in neighborhoods with older homes, it's worth checking whether your springs have ever been replaced. Many of the ranch-style homes and craftsman-style houses throughout Lebanon's town center were built with original hardware that's long past its service life.
Here's an honest breakdown of what you should expect to pay:
- Torsion spring replacement: Typically $200,$400 per spring for parts and labor - Extension spring replacement: Generally $160,$280 per spring - Full system repair (including cables and hardware): Can range from $400,$900 depending on the age and complexity of the system
If one spring breaks, it's strongly recommended to replace both at the same time. They age at the same rate, so a second failure often follows within weeks of the first. and you'll pay another service call. Spending a little more now saves you money and hassle later.
The honest answer: no. Garage door springs are under extreme tension. a torsion spring stores enough energy to cause serious injury if it releases unexpectedly during removal or installation. This is not the same as swapping out a light bulb or even patching drywall. The tools required are specialized, the technique matters, and the risk of a misstep is high. Leave this one to a professional every time.
You can browse our full list of services to understand what's included in a typical spring replacement visit. no surprises, no pressure.
If you upgrade to high-cycle springs (rated for 20,000+ cycles rather than the standard 10,000), you can significantly extend the lifespan. Paired with regular lubrication. a job you can do yourself with a silicone-based spray every six months. properly maintained springs should serve you reliably for a decade or more even in Lebanon's wet climate.
For a broader look at keeping your entire door system in shape through Oregon's seasons, our post on year-round garage door maintenance covers lubrication schedules, weatherstrip checks, and more.
The clearest sign is a door that opens only a few inches and stops, or one that feels extremely heavy when lifted manually. You may also see a visible gap in the torsion spring coil above the door. If the door opens unevenly or one side drags, that points to a spring issue as well. When in doubt, contact us for a quick assessment.
Technically the door may still move, but you should avoid using it. Running the opener with a broken spring puts excessive strain on the motor and cables, which can lead to additional. and more expensive. damage. It also creates a safety hazard if the door drops unexpectedly.
Most standard springs last 7,10 years under normal use. In Lebanon's damp winters, springs that aren't regularly lubricated may show wear earlier. If your home is more than 10 years old and the springs have never been serviced or replaced, it's time for an inspection.