2026-06-13 7 min read
After 15 years on garage door calls across Mattapoisett and the surrounding area, I can tell you straight: most homeowners don't understand their garage door springs until one snaps. Springs are the hardest working part of your system. They counterbalance the weight of your door, making it possible for your opener to lift safely. Without them working properly, you're looking at a door that won't open, won't close smoothly, or worse, a safety hazard. Let's cut through the confusion about garage door springs so you know exactly what you're dealing with.
Your garage door uses one of two spring systems, and knowing which one you have matters when something goes wrong.
Torsion springs wind around a metal shaft mounted above your door. These are the most common in residential garages, and they're what I see failing most often in Mattapoisett homes. They twist and untwist as your door moves, distributing weight evenly. A single torsion spring typically lasts 7 to 9 years with average use. Two springs last longer because they split the load.
Extension springs run along the sides of your door tracks. They stretch and contract instead of twisting. Extension springs are cheaper upfront but wear faster and carry more safety risk if they snap suddenly. I personally recommend torsion springs for most homes because they fail more predictably.
The type you have depends on your door's weight and your garage's ceiling height. If you're not sure which system you're running, check your garage door safety guide for Mattapoisett homeowners to learn how to identify yours safely.
Springs don't just wear out randomly. Rust from coastal salt air (especially here near Buzzards Bay), lack of lubrication, and daily friction all shorten their life. A snapped spring means your door becomes a 300 to 400 pound dead weight that your opener can't lift.
**Need garage door springs in Mattapoisett today?** Call (508) 213-5075. we cover same-day service across the area.
The cost to replace a snapped spring runs $150 to $400 per spring, depending on quality and your system type. A two spring replacement sits closer to $400 to $600 total. That sounds like a hit, but it's far cheaper than replacing a broken opener or dealing with a stuck door in winter weather. If you want a detailed breakdown of what replacement actually runs, read our guide to garage door repair costs in Mattapoisett for real numbers.
Here's what I tell every homeowner: regular lubrication prevents premature spring failure. Once a year, spray your springs with a proper garage door lubricant (not WD40, which dries out). This reduces friction and keeps rust from taking hold in our humid coastal climate.
Springs are part of your larger maintenance picture. If you're unsure whether your springs are still healthy, follow the maintenance schedule we recommend for Mattapoisett homeowners to catch problems early. A $50 maintenance call beats a $500 emergency replacement.
Your opener also depends on healthy springs. If springs are worn, your opener works twice as hard, burns out faster, and costs you more in the long run.
Never attempt to replace garage door springs yourself. Seriously. Springs are under extreme tension. A slip, a mistake with the shaft, or improper reinstallation can cause injury or damage. I've seen DIY attempts go sideways, and it's not worth the risk.
If you hear a loud BANG from your garage or notice your door moving unevenly, you likely have a snapped spring. Schedule a free quote with us near you and we'll get a technician out for a same-day estimate. We serve Mattapoisett and the surrounding communities with fast, honest service.
The right time to replace springs is before they fail, or immediately after. Waiting only creates more problems. Call us at (508) 213-5075 or book your free estimate online and let's get your door back to working like it should.
How long do garage door springs last? Torsion springs typically last 7 to 9 years under normal use. Extension springs wear faster, usually 5 to 7 years. Lifespan depends on how often you use your door and whether you maintain lubrication.
Can I replace just one spring if both are old? Technically yes, but I don't recommend it. If one spring is failing, the other is close behind. Replacing both at once saves you a second service call and balances wear evenly across your system.
What's the difference between a snapped spring and a stretched spring? A snapped spring breaks completely and won't support your door. A stretched spring still functions but loses tension gradually, making your door feel heavy or unbalanced. Both need replacement soon.
Why do springs fail faster near the coast? Salt air from Buzzards Bay corrodes metal faster than inland areas. If you live in Mattapoisett, rust accelerates spring wear by several years. Regular lubrication helps fight this.
Is a broken spring a safety emergency? Yes. A snapped spring means your door won't close properly or could fall unexpectedly. Don't use the door and call a professional immediately for safe replacement.