Torsion Spring Replacement: getting ready

After pulling the red release cord, you tried lifting the door yourself and it would barely leave the floor. A door that used to glide up with one hand now takes real effort, which points to the counterbalance rather than the opener.

Worth answering before the call

Is a vehicle parked inside the garage right now? Did you hear a loud bang before the door stopped working? Can you send a photo of the spring area and the opener?

What is the difference between torsion and extension springs?

Torsion springs mount on a shaft above the door and twist to store energy, lifting the door through cables and drums. Extension springs run alongside the horizontal tracks and stretch as the door closes, pulling it up through pulleys. Torsion systems tend to lift more evenly, take up less space beside the tracks and are the standard on most modern doors. Both are professional service items because of the energy they hold.

How can I tell if my springs are wearing out before they break?

Watch for a door that feels heavier by hand when the opener is released, an opener that strains or slows, a door that drops the last stretch rather than settling, or one that drifts down when stopped halfway. Visually, look for stretched gaps between coils, rust streaks or pitting on the steel, and any sag in the shaft. A balance check when you notice these lets you plan a replacement rather than react to one.