Broken Garage Door Spring in London? Replacement, Cost & Safety
If you heard a loud bang from the garage and now the door won't budge — or feels impossibly heavy — you almost certainly have a broken spring. It is the most common garage door failure in London, and one of the most dangerous to touch. Here is how to confirm it, what replacement costs, and how to get it fixed safely.
A broken garage door spring needs professional replacement — it is not a DIY repair. In London, Ontario, spring replacement typically costs $200 to $350 for a single spring and $300 to $480 for both, including parts and labour. Most jobs are done in under 90 minutes in a single same-day visit. Springs are under extreme tension and can cause serious injury, so always have them replaced by a trained technician. Call (226) 781-1003.
How to know your spring is broken
A broken spring has a few unmistakable tells. If you notice any of these, stop using the door:
- A loud bang from the garage — often mistaken for something falling or even a gunshot.
- The door won't open, or the opener strains, hums, and lifts the door only a few inches.
- A visible gap in the torsion spring above the door, or a spring hanging loose.
- The door feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it by hand.
- The door opens crooked or slams down faster than normal.
Running the opener against a door with a broken spring can burn out the motor and strip the drive gear — turning a spring job into a spring-and-opener job. Once you suspect a broken spring, stop and call.
Not sure if it is the spring or the opener? Our guides on the opener not working and the door that won't open in cold weather help you tell the difference.
Torsion vs. extension springs
Which spring system you have affects both the repair and the cost.
Whatever you have, if your door uses two springs and one has broken, replace both at the same time. The second spring has the same age and wear, and doing both now saves a second service call within months. We explain the lifespan math in how long garage door springs last.
Why spring replacement is never a DIY job
We understand the temptation to save money, but this is the one repair we urge every homeowner to leave alone. A torsion spring is wound to several hundred pounds of tension. If it slips during winding, it releases that energy instantly — the cause of broken fingers, wrists, and worse in emergency rooms every year.
Beyond the danger, a professional gets the details right that make the door last:
- Matching the spring's wire size, length, and cycle rating to your exact door weight.
- Winding both springs to equal, correct tension so the door is balanced.
- Inspecting the cables, bearings, and drums that work alongside the springs.
- Testing the door's balance and the opener's force settings before leaving.
This is why spring replacement sits firmly in the “call a professional” column — the same line we draw in our repair cost guide. See our full spring repair service for what is included.
What spring replacement costs in London
Here is the honest 2026 range for a London home.
| Job | Typical price | Time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Single torsion spring | $200 – $350 | 45 – 90 min |
| Both torsion springs (recommended) | $300 – $480 | 60 – 90 min |
| Extension spring pair | $180 – $320 | 45 – 75 min |
| High-cycle upgrade (20,000+) | +$60 – $120 | — |
| After-hours / emergency | +$80 – $150 | — |
A high-cycle spring costs a bit more upfront but lasts roughly twice as long — worth it on a door you use many times a day. For a number specific to your door, request a free quote or see our dedicated spring repair cost guide.
Why springs break — and how to make them last
A standard torsion spring is rated for about 10,000 cycles — roughly 7 to 10 years of normal use, where one open-and-close is a cycle. A few things shorten that life, and a few things extend it.
What shortens spring life
- London's freeze-thaw cycles, which stiffen metal and add stress — we see a spike in spring failures every January.
- Heavy use — families opening the door a dozen times a day reach 10,000 cycles fast.
- A poorly balanced door or a builder-grade spring under-rated for the door's weight.
- Rust from road salt and moisture.
What extends it
Light lubrication of the spring coils twice a year, keeping the door balanced, and choosing a high-cycle spring on a busy door all add years. Our winter maintenance checklist covers the routine. If your remaining spring is near the end of its life, replacing the pair now is the smart call.
Get a flat-rate price in minutes
Frequently asked questions
In London, Ontario, a single torsion spring replacement typically costs $200 to $350, and both springs $300 to $480, including parts and labour. Extension springs are a little less. High-cycle springs and after-hours calls add to the price.
No — we strongly advise against it. Torsion springs hold several hundred pounds of tension and can cause serious injury if they release during winding. It is one of the few repairs that should always be done by a trained technician.
If your door has two springs and one breaks, replace both. The second spring has the same age and wear and will likely fail soon, so doing both now saves a second service call and keeps the door balanced.
Most spring replacements are finished in under 90 minutes during a single same-day visit. Our technicians carry common spring sizes on the truck, so the job is usually done on the first trip.
A standard torsion spring is rated for about 10,000 cycles, or roughly 7 to 10 years of normal use. Heavy use and London's cold winters shorten that; a high-cycle spring rated for 20,000+ cycles lasts about twice as long.
What London homeowners say
“Spring snapped Sunday morning, car trapped. They quoted on the phone, came same day, replaced both springs in under an hour. No drama.”
“Honest advice to do both springs since mine were the same age. Door is balanced and quiet now. Fair price, no upsell.”
“Heard the bang at night, called first thing. Technician explained everything and got it done quickly. Glad I didn't try it myself.”
