2026-08-12 7 min read
A customer called last Tuesday morning. His garage door wouldn't budge. He'd heard a loud bang the night before but figured it would pass. It didn't. After 15 years on the trucks around Everett and the surrounding areas, I knew exactly what happened: a snapped spring. The real question wasn't whether the spring failed. It was which type he had, because that determines the repair, the cost, and how fast we can get his door working again.
Most garage doors in the Pacific Northwest sit on one of two spring systems: torsion or extension. This distinction matters more than homeowners realize. A torsion spring winds tight like a clock and stores energy across the top of the door opening. An extension spring runs horizontally along each side of the door, stretching and contracting as the door moves. Confusing the two when you call for a repair wastes time and money. See our guide on garage door insulation in everett: stop heat loss before winter hits.
Here's the practical difference: torsion springs last 7 to 9 years under normal use. Extension springs often fail sooner, around 5 to 7 years. Both eventually snap. When they do, your door becomes a dead weight. The opener can't lift it. You're stuck.
Look at your garage door opening from inside the garage. If you see a thick, horizontal metal rod running across the top center of the door opening, with coils wrapped around it, you have a torsion spring system. That rod sits on bearings and rotates to lift and lower the door. It's the most common setup in newer homes and commercial buildings across Everett. Read about garage door spring repair in everett: when to call a professional.
If you see two springs, one on each side of the door opening, running parallel to the horizontal tracks, you have an extension spring system. These springs stretch out as the door goes down and compress as it goes up. Older homes and some budget installations often use this design.
**Need garage door springs in Everett today?** Call (425) 675-9895. We cover same-day service for snapped springs and full replacements.
This is where experience on the job matters. Torsion springs are safer and more durable, but they cost more upfront. Extension springs are cheaper but come with a catch. When an extension spring snaps, the door can fall fast. We install safety cables alongside extension springs specifically for this reason. A broken torsion spring is contained. A broken extension spring without a safety cable? That's a hazard.
If you're looking at a replacement, understand the cost difference. Torsion springs run higher because the engineering is more complex and the labor to install them takes longer. Our garage door spring replacement guide walks through typical pricing and what affects an estimate.
Don't try to replace springs yourself. I've seen people hurt doing this. The tension in these springs is tremendous, measured in hundreds of pounds of force. A slip or misalignment can cause serious injury. When to call a professional isn't a gray area. Spring work is professional-only territory.
Also, don't assume you need both springs replaced just because one snapped. If one is bad, the other isn't far behind, though. Springs work in pairs on most doors, and they wear at the same rate. Replacing both at once prevents a second failure weeks later. That's smart maintenance planning, not overkill.
When you call for a free estimate, have someone ready to describe your spring system or snap a photo from inside the garage. Tell us whether the door is stuck open, stuck closed, or partway. Is there visible damage to the spring itself? Did you hear the snap? These details let us schedule your same-day service and bring the right parts the first trip.
Our services page lists what we handle. A typical torsion spring repair takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Extension spring work is usually faster, around 45 minutes to an hour. Labor cost depends on whether we're replacing one spring, both, or adding safety cables. Everett customers typically see spring replacement costs between $200 and $400 per spring, installed.
Don't wait after hearing that bang. The longer a broken spring sits, the more wear and tear the door, tracks, and opener experience. That compounds your repair bill.
You now know the difference between the two systems. Identify yours, call us for a free estimate, and we'll handle the rest. Contact Garage Door Everett at (425) 675-9895 to schedule your appointment. We serve Everett and nearby communities with same-day availability most days.
Can I use my garage door if one spring is broken? No. A snapped spring removes the counterbalance. The opener can't lift the full weight of the door. Forcing it risks opener damage and personal injury. Call us for immediate service.
How much does a garage door spring cost to replace? Torsion springs typically run $200 to $400 installed. Extension springs are usually $150 to $300 per side. The exact cost depends on door weight, spring type, and whether you replace one or both.
How long does a spring replacement take? Torsion spring work takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Extension spring replacement is faster, usually 45 minutes to an hour. We aim for same-day service in most Everett cases.
What causes a garage door spring to snap? Normal wear is the main culprit. Springs cycle thousands of times over 7 to 9 years. Rust, humidity, and temperature swings in the Pacific Northwest accelerate failure. Manufacturing defects are rare but possible.
Should I replace both springs if only one broke? Yes. Paired springs wear at the same rate. Replacing both prevents a second failure days or weeks later and ensures balanced door operation.