2026-04-16 7 min read
If your garage door suddenly refuses to open, feels like it weighs a thousand pounds, or you heard a loud bang from inside your garage overnight. there's a good chance you've got a broken spring. It's one of the most common garage door problems we see here in Hubbard, and it catches homeowners completely off guard every time.
Spring failures don't discriminate. They happen on newer homes out by Baines Boulevard and on older ones along the quieter streets near the center of town. Understanding what causes them, what to watch for, and what it'll cost you will save you from a bad morning.
<cite index="1-1">Hubbard has a moderate climate characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers.</cite> That seasonal swing. from damp, gray winters to warm, dry Willamette Valley summers. is harder on garage door springs than most homeowners realize.
<cite index="21-3,21-4">Our wet winters, with temperatures hovering between 35,48°F and constant moisture exposure, promote rust and corrosion on metal components. The Pacific Northwest's dramatic temperature swings. from freezing January nights to 100°F summer heat waves. cause springs to expand and contract repeatedly, weakening the metal over time.</cite>
<cite index="21-5">This constant stress explains why Portland-area springs often fail after 7,10 years rather than the 10,15 year lifespan seen in drier climates.</cite> In Hubbard and neighboring Woodburn, that shortened lifespan is just the reality. If your door is more than eight years old and you haven't had the springs inspected, now is a good time.
<cite index="24-15,24-16">Garage door springs can rust when exposed to moisture. and rust can degrade the spring over time, rendering it useless.</cite> You can slow this process down with regular lubrication, but replacement is eventually unavoidable.
Springs rarely give you a lot of warning. But when they do show signs, pay attention:
- The door won't open at all. <cite index="23-16">If your garage door refuses to budge, it's likely due to a broken spring.</cite> - You heard a loud bang. <cite index="30-31,30-32,30-33">A sudden, loud noise in your garage. like a gunshot or a firecracker. often signals that a spring has broken. Since garage door springs are under all that tension, they can release energy violently when they snap.</cite> - The door feels extremely heavy. <cite index="27-8,27-9">A properly balanced door should feel like 10,15 pounds. Heavier doors indicate weakening springs.</cite> - One side is higher than the other. <cite index="30-40,30-41,30-42">If your garage door looks lopsided or tilts to one side when opening or closing, this often means that one spring has failed while the other is still functioning.</cite> - Visible gaps in the coil. <cite index="27-12">Healthy coils touch each other. visible gaps indicate a spring near failure.</cite> - Your opener is straining. <cite index="27-15">If the opener cannot lift the unbalanced weight, immediate service is required.</cite> Running your opener against a broken spring can burn out the motor. turning a $300 spring repair into a much larger bill.
If you're noticing any of these signs, check out our FAQ page for quick answers, or go ahead and schedule a service call before the door fails completely.
<cite index="23-28,23-29">There are two primary types of springs: torsion springs and extension springs. Both serve the same purpose but differ in design and mechanism.</cite>
<cite index="23-30">Torsion springs are installed horizontally above the garage door and wind or unwind to lift or lower the door.</cite> Most newer homes in Hubbard use this system. <cite index="25-7">Most new garage doors use torsion springs due to better reliability and smoother operation.</cite>
<cite index="23-31,23-32">Extension springs are installed on either side of the garage door and stretch to open or close the door. They are less costly but tend to wear out faster.</cite> You'll find these more often on older homes throughout Marion County.
Pricing in the mid-Willamette Valley is fairly consistent with the broader Oregon market. <cite index="29-2,29-3">Torsion springs typically run $150,$350 per spring, including parts and labor. Extension springs are $100,$200 per spring. slightly less expensive but less durable.</cite>
<cite index="25-9,25-10">When one spring breaks, it's usually better to replace both springs at the same time, especially if they are the same age. because the second spring is likely close to failing too.</cite> That's the honest advice, and it saves you from paying a second service call fee in a few months.
<cite index="27-3">Spring quality matters too: budget springs typically have 5,000 to 10,000 cycle ratings</cite>, while premium high-cycle options last significantly longer. For a household that uses the garage as the main entry point. which describes most families in Hubbard. investing in higher-cycle springs is worth it.
We know plenty of Hubbard homeowners are handy. But spring replacement is the one garage door job where the risk genuinely outweighs the savings.
<cite index="27-4,27-5">Garage door springs store enormous energy. enough to lift a 250-pound door thousands of times. Mishandling a spring can result in severe injury or death.</cite>
<cite index="26-3,26-4">If a technician puts the wrong spring on your door, not only will this damage your garage door system, but it will cause the garage door opener to do more work than it was built to do. meaning your opener is more likely to break quickly, forcing you to call for another repair.</cite>
A professional from Garage Door Hubbard will do a full balance test after installation and inspect your cables, rollers, and hardware while they're there. Speaking of hardware. it's worth reviewing our guide on bearing lubrication as part of your overall maintenance routine, since worn bearings put additional strain on springs.
<cite index="27-36,27-37,27-38">Standard springs last 7,12 years. High-cycle springs last 15,20+ years. Environment and maintenance affect lifespan.</cite> In Hubbard's damp climate, annual lubrication and keeping moisture off the spring coils will help you get to the upper end of that range.
To extend spring life between replacements: <cite index="23-20">apply garage door lubricant every 9,12 months to reduce friction and wear,</cite> and <cite index="23-21">check for signs of rust, wear, or damage, and contact a professional if you notice any issues.</cite>
View our full list of services to see what's included in a standard tune-up and spring inspection.
Q: Can I still use my garage door if a spring is broken? Technically it may open, but you shouldn't. <cite index="27-33,27-34">Running the opener with a broken spring will try to lift the door, but can burn out the motor and damage the door.</cite> Stop using the door and call for service.
Q: Should I replace one spring or both at the same time? <cite index="25-9,25-10">It's usually better to replace both springs at the same time, especially if they are the same age, because the second spring is likely close to failing too.</cite> You'll save on labor by doing both at once.
Q: How do I know if I have a torsion or extension spring? Look above your closed garage door. If you see a single horizontal bar with a coiled spring mounted on it, that's a torsion spring. If you see springs running along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door, those are extension springs. Not sure? Call us and we'll walk you through it.