2026-04-12 7 min read
If you've ever heard a loud bang come from your garage. like a firecracker going off. there's a good chance a spring just let go. It's one of the most common calls we get from homeowners across La Puente, and it almost always happens at the worst possible time: early morning before work, late at night, or right when you're trying to leave for the weekend.
La Puente's housing stock is part of what makes spring issues so common here. Most of the residential neighborhoods. from West Puente Valley to Old Town. are built on mid-century ranch homes that date back to the 1950s and 60s. That means a lot of garage door hardware is decades old and long overdue for attention. If your home was built in that era and you've never replaced the springs, you're running on borrowed time.
Your garage door is heavy. typically between 150 and 300 pounds depending on the material and size. The springs are what make it feel light. They store tension when the door closes and release it to help lift the door when you open it. Without them, your opener motor is trying to lift dead weight. and it won't last long doing that.
There are two main types of springs found in La Puente homes:
- Torsion springs. mounted horizontally above the door opening, wound tightly around a metal rod. These are more common in newer installs and considered safer. - Extension springs. run alongside the door tracks and stretch as the door closes. Common in older homes with lower ceilings.
If you're not sure which type you have, take a look above your door. One bar with a coiled spring in the center = torsion. Two springs running along the sides = extension.
Most springs don't snap without warning. Here's what to look for before you're stuck with a door that won't move:
The door feels unusually heavy. Try this test: disconnect your opener and lift the door manually to waist height. Let go. It should stay put. If it drops, your springs aren't counterbalancing properly and service is overdue. Be sure to also check out our post on 7 warning signs your garage door needs professional repair for more symptoms to watch.
The door opens slower than it used to. A standard residential door should fully open in 12 to 15 seconds. If yours is taking noticeably longer, or you hear the opener straining, the springs are losing tension.
You see gaps in the coils. Healthy torsion spring coils sit tight against each other. If you notice a visible gap or separation in the spring, that spring has already broken. stop using the door immediately.
Loud popping or squeaking. Springs under stress announce themselves. Occasional squeaking can be addressed with lubrication, but loud pops during operation are a red flag.
The door closes too fast or won't stay open. Both are signs the springs can no longer control the door's weight properly.
If any of these sound familiar, head to our frequently asked questions page or give us a call. don't wait until the spring fully breaks.
Here's the honest breakdown. Spring replacement typically runs $150 to $350 per spring for torsion springs, including parts and labor. Extension springs come in a little lower, usually $100 to $200 per spring. Most homeowners in La Puente and nearby Baldwin Park pay somewhere in the $250 to $500 range total for a standard two-spring replacement.
A few things that affect your final cost:
- Spring type. torsion springs cost more but last longer and are safer - Door size and weight. heavier two-car doors need heavier-duty springs - Spring quality. budget springs are rated for 5,000 to 10,000 cycles; premium springs can last 25,000 to 50,000 cycles - Emergency timing. after-hours or weekend calls carry a premium
One smart move: replace both springs at the same time, even if only one has broken. Springs on the same door age at the same rate, and the second one is usually not far behind. Doing both in one visit saves you the cost of a second service call.
This comes up a lot, and the answer is always the same: don't do it. Garage door springs are under extreme tension. When a torsion spring breaks, it releases stored energy violently. that's what causes that gunshot-like sound. The winding and unwinding process requires specialized tools and training to do safely.
Improperly installed springs can fail immediately, damage your opener, or cause serious injury. The $50 you might save isn't worth the risk. This is one repair where hiring a professional isn't just recommended. it's the only sensible option. You can see all the services we offer if you're unsure what your door needs.
Once you've had your springs replaced, a little maintenance goes a long way:
- Lubricate annually with a lithium-based garage door spray. not WD-40 - Schedule a tune-up every year so a tech can catch tension loss before it becomes a failure - Avoid unnecessary cycles. if your garage is the main entry to your house, that adds up fast - Upgrade to high-cycle springs if you have an active household; the extra upfront cost pays off
La Puente's dry summers and mild winters are relatively easy on springs compared to coastal or desert climates, but the sun and heat still cause metal fatigue over time. Staying proactive is cheaper than emergency calls.
How long do garage door springs last in La Puente? Most standard springs are rated for 10,000 to 20,000 cycles. roughly 7 to 14 years with average daily use. If your household uses the garage as the main entry point multiple times a day, expect the lower end of that range. Upgrading to high-cycle springs when you replace them can extend that significantly.
Can I still use my garage door if a spring is broken? Technically your opener may still run, but you shouldn't use the door. Operating a door with a broken spring puts extreme strain on your opener motor, cables, and tracks. all of which can fail as a result. It also creates a safety hazard. Disconnect the opener and call for service.
Should I replace one spring or both? Almost always both. Springs on the same door age together, so if one has broken, the other is close behind. Replacing both at once saves labor cost and prevents a second emergency call in a few months. Ask your technician about this when you schedule your repair.