2026-03-30 7 min read
If you've ever pressed your garage door remote on a cold January morning in Burbank and heard a loud bang followed by total silence, you already know what a broken spring sounds like. It's one of the most common calls we receive. and it almost always happens at the worst possible time.
Burbank sits in the lower Columbia Basin, where winters regularly drop into the upper 20s and summers push past 90°F. That roughly 65-degree swing between seasons puts serious stress on the steel components of your garage door system. and springs bear the brunt of it.
Garage door springs don't last forever. Standard springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles. one cycle being a single open-and-close. If you use your garage door as your main entry point (which most Burbank households do), you're easily running through 4,6 cycles per day. That adds up to roughly 1,500,2,000 cycles per year, meaning a spring installed when you bought your home may already be living on borrowed time.
Beyond wear, temperature plays a direct role. When metal contracts in cold weather, springs under tension become more brittle and prone to cracking. By late February and early March. after months of Columbia Basin freeze cycles. springs that were perfectly fine in the fall can snap without warning. If your door is more than 7 years old and you've never had the springs serviced, pay attention to any new noises or a door that suddenly feels heavier.
Before you call anyone, it helps to know which spring system your door uses. There are two types:
- Torsion springs mount horizontally above the door opening and coil around a metal rod. They're the more common system on newer sectional doors and are generally safer and longer-lasting. - Extension springs run along the side tracks and stretch as the door closes. They're less expensive but wear out faster and can become dangerous if they snap without safety cables installed.
Most homes in Burbank. especially the ranch-style and single-story builds that are common throughout the area. use sectional doors with torsion spring systems. If you're in an older home with a one-piece tilt-up door, extension springs are more likely.
Let's be straight about pricing, because there's a wide range out there. For professional torsion spring replacement, most homeowners pay somewhere between $150 and $350 per spring, with the total job typically landing between $300 and $540 when you factor in both springs and labor. Extension spring jobs run a bit less. usually $120 to $200 for the pair.
A few things that push the cost higher:
- Replacing both springs at once. This is always the right call. Springs are installed in pairs and wear at the same rate. If one fails, the other isn't far behind. Replacing both now saves you a second service visit (and a second labor charge) within the year. - Heavier or oversized doors. If your home has a double-wide door or a door with extra insulation panels, expect larger springs at a higher price point. - Emergency timing. Weekend and after-hours calls typically add $50,$100 to the bill. If you can wait until the next business day, you'll save money.
For a deeper look at how to evaluate repair costs versus what you're actually getting, our labor and parts breakdown guide walks through how to read a quote and avoid common pricing traps.
Every few months someone asks us whether they can replace garage door springs themselves. The honest answer is: technically yes, practically no. Torsion springs store enormous amounts of mechanical energy. one slip of a winding bar can cause serious injury. This isn't a scare tactic; it's physics. Leave spring work to a trained technician with the right tools.
What you *can* do yourself is identify the warning signs early:
1. The door feels heavier than usual when lifted manually (pull the red emergency cord and try lifting by hand) 2. The door opens unevenly, with one side rising faster than the other 3. You hear squeaking or grinding when the door moves 4. Visible gaps or separation in the spring coil above the door
Spotting these early gives you time to schedule a repair on your terms. not in a panic at 7 AM when you're trying to get to work.
If your springs are at end-of-life, consider upgrading to high-cycle springs (rated for 20,000+ cycles). The upfront cost is modestly higher, but you're potentially doubling the lifespan of the spring. a solid investment if you plan to stay in your home for the next decade. For Burbank homeowners with busy households where the garage door sees heavy daily use, this upgrade pays for itself quickly.
While you're at it, spring replacement is a good time to have a technician check your door's balance. A properly balanced door puts far less strain on the opener motor and the springs themselves. Our balance adjustment guide covers what a balanced door looks like and what happens when it's off.
If you're due for a spring inspection or think you may already have a failing spring, reach out to schedule a visit. Burbank Garage Doors serves the area including Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, and we're straightforward about what you need and what you don't.
Q: Can I still open my garage door if a spring is broken? You can use the manual release cord to disengage the opener and lift the door by hand, but the door will be very heavy without the spring doing its job. Do not use the automatic opener with a broken spring. the motor isn't designed to lift the full weight of the door and you risk damaging it. Treat a broken spring as an urgent repair.
Q: Should I replace one spring or both at the same time? Always replace both. Springs are installed as a pair and experience the same amount of wear over their life. If one has failed, the other is nearing the end of its cycle life too. Replacing both at once costs slightly more upfront but saves you a repeat service call and keeps the door operating in balance.
Q: How long do garage door springs typically last in Burbank's climate? Standard springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles. roughly 7 to 10 years for average use. The temperature swings common in the Columbia Basin, from freezing winters to 90°F+ summers, can accelerate wear on the steel. If your door is over 7 years old and has never had the springs serviced, it's worth a professional inspection before they fail on their own.