Garage Door Springs in Monument, CO: Why They Fail and What Happens Next
2026-03-26 6 min read
It usually happens on the worst possible morning. you're running late, it's 15°F outside, and your garage door opens about six inches before grinding to a halt. Nine times out of ten, a broken spring is the culprit. It's the single most common garage door repair call in Monument, and it's one that catches homeowners off guard every time.
This post is a plain-English breakdown of why springs fail here in Monument, what the repair process actually looks like, and what you can do to extend the life of your springs before they break at an inconvenient moment.
Why Springs Break More Often in Cold Climates
Garage door springs are under enormous constant tension. Every time your door opens and closes, they absorb and release that force. Most residential torsion springs are rated for somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 cycles. which sounds like a lot, but adds up fast in an active household.
In Monument's climate, springs face an additional stress that households in warmer climates don't deal with as heavily: thermal contraction. When temperatures drop into the teens. which happens regularly here from November through March. metal components like torsion springs contract. That contraction increases brittleness and makes a spring that was already worn more likely to snap under the added tension of lifting a cold, heavier-feeling door.
Monument sits at nearly 7,000 feet, and temperatures can swing 20,40°F within hours during Front Range weather events. That repeated expansion and contraction cycle is genuinely hard on mechanical components. A spring that might last 12 years in a mild climate can fail significantly sooner here.
Broken springs are one of the most common service repairs seen on a daily basis by garage door technicians throughout the Colorado Springs and Monument area. If you've already had one spring fail, it's worth reading through everything you need to know about garage door spring replacement before your next one goes.
The Two Types of Springs: What You Have and Why It Matters
Most homes in Monument. whether you're in a newer build in Jackson Creek, an established home in Woodmoor, or one of the larger properties out toward King's Deer. use one of two spring systems:
Torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the door on a metal shaft. They're the more common and generally more durable option on modern doors. When a torsion spring breaks, the door typically drops to the floor or stops mid-movement.
Extension springs run along the sides of the door track on older or lighter-duty systems. They're under less tension than torsion springs but tend to wear faster. When they break, the door can drop unevenly and become misaligned.
Knowing which system you have helps you have an informed conversation when you call for service. and helps you understand why the repair cost varies.
Warning Signs Before a Spring Actually Breaks
Springs don't always snap without warning. Here are signs your spring is wearing out before it fails completely:
- The door moves slower than usual or hesitates on the way up, You hear a loud creaking or grinding noise during operation, The door feels unusually heavy when you manually lift it (disconnect the opener and try lifting by hand. a properly balanced door should lift easily) - The door doesn't stay open when you raise it manually. it slowly sinks back down, Visible gaps or separation in the spring coil
If you're seeing any of these, it's worth getting it looked at before the spring fully snaps. Operating a door with a worn spring puts extra strain on your opener motor and cables, which can lead to a cascade of additional issues that are more expensive to fix.
What Repair Actually Involves
Here's what homeowners should realistically expect:
Spring replacement is not a DIY job
Garage door springs are under extreme tension. enough to cause serious injury if handled incorrectly. This is one repair that should always be done by a trained technician with the right tools. The internet is full of DIY spring replacement videos, but the risk is real and the savings aren't worth it.
Should you replace one spring or both?
If your door has two torsion springs and one breaks, most technicians will recommend replacing both at the same time. The logic is straightforward: if one spring has worn to the point of failure, the other is likely at a similar point in its life cycle. Replacing both now saves you a second service call. and a second failure. in the near future.
How long does it take?
A standard spring replacement by an experienced technician typically takes under two hours. Garage Door Company Monument keeps common spring sizes stocked, which means most repairs can happen same-day or next-day rather than waiting on parts orders.
How to Get More Life Out of Your Springs
There are a few practical things Monument homeowners can do to extend spring life:
Lubricate twice a year. Use a garage door-specific lubricant (not WD-40, which attracts grit) on the spring coils in fall before temperatures drop and again in spring. This reduces friction and brittleness during temperature extremes. A yearly lube and tune is highly recommended and can prevent major problems caused by parts drying out. saving you significantly more in avoided repairs.
Check door balance regularly. Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door to waist height. It should stay in place without drifting. If it drops or rises, the spring tension is off and needs adjustment.
Don't ignore opener strain. If your opener sounds like it's working harder than usual to lift the door, it often means the springs are losing tension. Catching this early can prevent a full failure.
Upgrade to higher-cycle springs. Standard springs are rated for around 10,000 cycles. Higher-cycle springs rated for 25,000 or even 50,000 cycles are available and worth the modest upcharge for families with heavy daily garage use.
For a full seasonal checklist that includes spring care, our post on winter garage door maintenance covers what to inspect and when.
What to Do When a Spring Breaks
If your spring breaks and the door is closed, don't attempt to manually force it open. You can disengage the opener and try to lift it, but a door with a broken spring is extremely heavy. often 200+ pounds. and lifting it without the spring's counterbalance can cause injury or damage to the door, opener, or track hardware.
The safest move is to call for service and leave the door closed until a technician arrives. If your car is stuck inside, a technician can manually release and open the door safely as part of the service call. this is a common situation and nothing to be embarrassed about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a spring replacement typically cost in Monument? A: Costs vary depending on spring type, size, and whether you're replacing one or both. Single torsion spring replacement typically runs in the $150,$300 range; replacing both springs on a two-spring system costs more but is often recommended. Always get an upfront quote before any work begins.
Q: My opener is still running but the door barely moves. Is that a spring problem? A: Very likely, yes. When a spring breaks, the opener motor may still activate but can't lift the door's full weight alone. The door may move a few inches and stop, or the opener may strain audibly without moving the door at all. This is a classic sign of spring failure.
Q: Can I prevent spring failure entirely? A: Not entirely. springs wear out with use, and Monument's temperature extremes accelerate that wear. But regular lubrication, keeping the door balanced, and upgrading to higher-cycle springs can meaningfully extend their lifespan. Check out our FAQ page for more common questions about garage door maintenance and what to expect from professional service.