2026-04-15 7 min read
If your garage door suddenly stopped working this morning, there's a good chance a spring is to blame. Springs are the unsung workhorses of your garage door system. they carry almost all the weight every time the door moves. When one breaks, the door often won't budge, and if it does, it can be dangerous. For homeowners in Bladenboro and across Bladen County, spring failure is one of the most common service calls we see, and the region's climate plays a bigger role than most people realize.
Bladenboro's weather is not kind to metal. Summers are hot and muggy, with temperatures regularly pushing into the 90s and humidity that never seems to let up. Winters swing cold enough to drop into the low 20s on the worst nights. That kind of thermal range. heat expanding metal, cold contracting it. gradually weakens spring tension over time.
Moisture is the other culprit. This part of southeastern North Carolina stays wet much of the year. Springs that aren't regularly lubricated will rust, and rust is a fast track to failure. Corrosion weakens the coils and dramatically increases the risk of a sudden, unexpected break. often with a loud bang that sounds like a gunshot inside your garage.
If you've already noticed your door struggling with rust or humidity issues, the post on how Bladenboro's humidity attacks garage doors covers that angle in detail. It's worth a read before your next service appointment.
Springs rarely fail without giving you some warning. Here's what to watch for:
- Door feels unusually heavy when lifted manually. a properly balanced door should feel like 10 to 15 pounds in your hands. Heavier than that usually means the spring is weakening. - The door won't stay open halfway. Lift it to waist height and let go. If it drifts back down, spring tension is compromised. - Visible gaps in the torsion spring coil. Healthy coils touch each other. If you see a gap. even an inch. that spring is at or near failure. - The opener strains or stops mid-cycle. When springs lose tension, the opener has to work much harder. Running the opener with a failing spring can burn out the motor. - A loud bang from the garage, even when no one opened it. That's the sound of a spring snapping under load. Stop using the door immediately and call a professional.
Slow operation and squeaking or grinding sounds during movement can also point to weakening springs. Don't wait until the door stops working entirely. by then, you may have damaged other components as well.
There are two main types of garage door springs. Torsion springs are mounted horizontally above the door opening. they wind and unwind to lift and lower the door. Most modern homes in Bladenboro use this system. Extension springs run along the sides of the door and stretch as the door closes. Older homes and lighter doors are more likely to have extension springs.
Torsion springs are generally considered more reliable and safer, and they tend to last longer. Standard springs are rated for about 10,000 cycles. roughly 7 to 12 years for the average household. If your home on the outskirts of town or over near Clarkton was built more than a decade ago and the springs have never been replaced, they're likely due for service.
For most homeowners in this area, spring replacement runs between $250 and $700, depending on the type of spring, the size of your door, and whether one or both springs need replacing. Two-car garage doors with heavier insulated panels cost more to service than a standard single door.
One important tip: if one spring breaks, replace both. Springs wear at the same rate, and if one has failed, the other is usually close behind. Replacing them together saves you a second service call and avoids putting uneven stress on the door hardware.
You can get a clear picture of what to expect by checking out our services page or reaching out directly for a no-pressure quote.
Garage door springs store an enormous amount of energy. enough to lift a 250-pound door thousands of times. When that energy releases suddenly and without control, the results can be catastrophic. This isn't an exaggeration: mishandled springs cause thousands of injuries each year nationwide, and the tools required. calibrated winding bars, the right spring size for your specific door weight. are not found in a typical homeowner's toolbox.
The small amount you might save by attempting this yourself is not worth the risk. Bladenboro Garage Doors handles spring replacements safely, with the right parts for your door's weight and size, every time.
If you've already noticed other mechanical issues alongside the spring problem, the complete motor repair guide is a helpful resource for understanding what's happening inside your opener at the same time.
Q: Can I still use my garage door if I think a spring is failing? A: If the spring has already snapped. you'll usually hear a loud bang. stop using the door immediately. Running the opener with a broken spring can burn out the motor and damage the door panels. If you just suspect the spring is weakening, limit use and call for service soon.
Q: How long does a spring replacement take? A: In most cases, a professional can complete the job in 45 to 90 minutes. That includes removing the old spring, installing the correct replacement, balancing the door, and testing the full system.
Q: Should I replace both springs even if only one is broken? A: Yes. Springs wear out at similar rates, and if one has failed, the other is typically close behind. Replacing both at once saves you a second service call and keeps the door properly balanced.