Broken garage door spring in Ottawa
A loud bang from the garage, followed by a door that suddenly weighs a few hundred pounds, almost always means a broken spring. It is the single most common garage door failure, and it is not a do-it-yourself job.
Signs you need this repair
- A loud bang from the garage, often on a cold morning
- A visible gap in the coiled spring above the door
- The opener strains, hums, or lifts the door only a few inches
- The door feels extremely heavy when lifted by hand
- Loose or dangling cables at the bottom corners
Why springs break — and why it happens more in Ottawa winters
Your springs do the heavy lifting, not the opener. Every open-and-close cycle twists and relaxes the steel. Standard springs are rated for a limited number of cycles, so a household that uses the garage as its front door can wear through a set in well under ten years.
Cold makes it worse. Steel is less forgiving at -25°C, and a spring that is already near the end of its life often lets go on the first deep-freeze morning of the season. That is why calls about broken springs spike when Ottawa gets its first real cold snap.
Please don't try to fix it yourself
Torsion springs hold a large amount of stored energy. Unwinding or winding them without the right bars and training causes serious hand, arm and head injuries every year. Don't try to force the door open with the opener either — it can strip the opener gear or pull the door off its tracks.
If your car is trapped inside, tell us when you call. Many technicians can come the same day, and some offer evening and weekend service.
One spring or both?
Most doors with two torsion springs have springs of the same age. When one breaks, the other is usually close behind, which is why technicians commonly recommend replacing them as a pair. Ask the company for both prices so you can decide. Higher-cycle springs cost more up front but last longer if your garage door gets heavy daily use.
What it typically costs
Published Ottawa price guides list a single torsion spring at roughly $200–$400 installed and a pair at roughly $280–$550. See our cost guide for sources. Read the cost guide.
Common questions
Can I open my garage door with a broken spring?
It's not recommended. Without the spring the door is extremely heavy and can drop suddenly. Using the opener can damage it. If you must get a car out, ask the technician for advice when they call — or wait for the repair.
How long does a spring replacement take?
Once the technician is on site, a typical residential spring replacement takes about an hour, depending on the door and whether other parts like cables also need replacing.
Do you fix the spring yourselves?
No. Ottawa Garage Door Help is a free referral service. When you call, we give you the number of an independent local garage door company that does the work and sets the price.
Need help now? One call gets you a local company's number.
Call now · (343) 633-2631