When a garage door spring breaks, your door can feel stuck, heavy, and unsafe to move. If you’re in the Central Valley or Mother Lode (Modesto, Turlock, Ripon, Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, Merced, Sonora, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, and nearby), here’s a clear plan to get your door working again—fast and safely.
First: Stay Safe (Quick Steps)
- Don’t force the door. A broken spring means the door is extremely heavy; forcing it can bend panels or damage the opener.
- Disengage the opener only if the door is fully down. Pulling the release with the door up can cause it to fall.
- Keep people and cars clear until a tech inspects it.
- Call a pro—springs are under high tension and can cause injury if handled incorrectly.
How to Tell If a Spring Is Broken
- You heard a loud bang in the garage.
- The door only lifts a few inches and stops.
- The torsion spring (above the door) shows a visible gap, or extension springs (along the tracks) are stretched or separated.
- The opener strains, jerks, or the door feels crooked.
Why Springs Break (Local Factors We See)
- High use: 2–4 cycles a day adds up quickly for busy households.
- Heat & dust: Central Valley summers dry out metal and hardware if not lubricated.
- Age & wear: Standard springs are rated for a set number of cycles; they eventually fatigue.
- Imbalance: A poorly balanced door or old rollers can stress springs.
What Barton Overhead Door Does on a Spring Repair
- Exact-match spring sizing for your door’s weight and hardware.
- Upgrade options for longer-life, higher-cycle springs to reduce future breakdowns.
- 10-Year Warranty on residential spring repairs (ask for details).
- Full safety tune-up: cable and drum inspection, bearing checks, hinge/roller evaluation, and proper lubrication.
- Balance & force test: we adjust to manufacturer specs so your opener isn’t overworked.
- Clean, local service: We carry 30+ spring sizes on our trucks for same-day solutions in most cases.
Bonus peace of mind: Barton is an IDEA Accredited Door Dealer and a Best of 209 Magazine – Gold winner for Garage Door Install/Repair.
Can I Open the Door with a Broken Spring?
- If your car is trapped and the door is fully down, we can often dispatch quickly to get you out safely.
- Avoid lifting by hand—two adults can sometimes lift in an emergency, but the risk of injury or door damage is high. It’s not worth it.
What Affects Price?
- Door size - Single Car vs Double Car
- Wood / Heavy Insulated vs Non Insulated (insulated 16’ doors use heavier hardware).
- Number and type of springs (torsion vs. extension).
- Hardware condition (cables, rollers, bearings).
- Good news: Barton uses flat, upfront pricing for standard residential spring replacements—no surprises.
Maintenance Tips to Prevent the Next Breakdown
- Lube the door quarterly: hinges, rollers (not nylon tires), and spring coils with a garage-door-safe lubricant.
- Watch for wobble or noise: grinding, popping, or a door that won’t stay halfway up means it’s time for service.
- Annual safety check: a 20-minute visit can extend the life of springs, cables, and your opener.
Service Areas We Cover
- Modesto Branch: Modesto, Oakdale, Ripon, Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, Turlock, Merced
- Sonora Branch: Sonora, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, and communities across Tuolumne & Calaveras Counties
FAQs
How long does a spring repair take?
Typically 30-60 minutes once we’re on site, including balance and safety testing.
Do I need to replace both springs?
If your door uses a pair, yes—replace both. They wear together; changing one leads to imbalance and repeat calls.
Will a stronger spring damage my opener?
It’s not about “stronger,” it’s about the correct spring. Properly sized springs make the door feel “weightless” to the opener.
Should I upgrade to high-cycle springs?
We always install high cycle springs and back them with a 10 year warranty.
Ready to Get Rolling Again?
Barton Overhead Door’s certified technicians can get your garage door working safely—today in most areas.
Call our Modesto or Sonora team, or request service online to get a fast, guaranteed spring repair with a 10-Year Warranty.