How Much Does Garage Door Spring Replacement Cost in Ottawa?

The price: $300 - $500

Most jobs land somewhere between $300 and $500. The biggest factor is the size of your door. A single car door usually sits at the lower end, and a double door with heavier springs sits at the higher end.

I give you the price before I start. If something else is wrong, like a frayed cable or a worn roller, I show you and tell you the cost. You decide. There are no surprise fees added at the end.

Single vs double doors

A double door is heavier, so it needs stronger springs. Stronger springs cost more, and on many double doors there are two springs on the bar instead of one.

If your door has two springs and only one broke, I usually recommend replacing both. Springs wear out at the same rate, so the second one is often close behind. Doing both at once saves you a second visit and keeps the door balanced.

Torsion vs extension springs

Torsion springs sit on a metal bar above the door opening. They twist to lift the door. Most newer Ottawa homes, like the builds in Barrhaven, Riverside South and Findlay Creek, use torsion springs.

Extension springs run along the horizontal tracks on each side and stretch when the door closes. You still see them in older homes and some detached garages. They should always have safety cables running through them, so a broken spring can't whip across the garage.

Both types need to be matched to the weight of your door. A spring that's too weak makes the opener do all the lifting. One that's too strong makes the door fly up. Getting the size right is a big part of the job.

Signs your spring is broken

Most people figure it out when the door won't open one morning. Here's what to look for:

• A loud bang from the garage, like a gunshot, with nothing fallen over
• A visible gap in the spring on the bar above the door
• The opener hums or strains, and the door lifts a few inches then stops
• The door feels extremely heavy when you try to lift it by hand
• Cables hanging loose beside the door

Why you shouldn't do it yourself

I'll be straight with you: spring replacement is dangerous. A wound torsion spring holds a huge amount of force. If a winding bar slips, it can break bones or worse. It's the reason I got trained and certified before doing this work.

Please don't loosen the set screws, cut cables, or try to force the door up with the opener. If a spring breaks, leave the door closed if you can, unplug the opener, and call or text me.

It's also easy to buy the wrong spring online. The right spring depends on door weight, height, the drum size and the wire size. Guessing gets you a door that won't stay balanced.

What the job looks like

I measure the old springs and the door, fit the right new springs, wind them to the correct tension, and then balance the door so it stays put when you let go halfway. I also check the cables, drums, bearings and rollers, lubricate the moving parts and test the opener's safety reverse.

Most spring jobs are done in about an hour or two. You can read more about it on my spring replacement page, and if your cables came off too, see cable replacement.

Can I use the door with a broken spring?

No. With a broken spring, the opener is trying to lift the full weight of the door. That can strip the opener's gears or burn out the motor, and the door can drop suddenly. It turns one repair into two.

If your car is stuck inside, call or text me and I'll tell you the safest option for your situation.