Securing the door and setting spring tension
We use vise grips and locking pliers to secure the door and shaft during the spring swap. On a two-spring door, we replace the pair. We wind the new springs to the correct number of turns for the door’s height and re-tension evenly.
Replacing worn parts while the system is apart
We replace worn cables, drums, and bearings while the spring system is apart. These are inexpensive parts that can cause the next failure if left worn. Replacing cables and drums during spring service costs $120–$250.
Emergency same-day service cost
Our emergency same-day spring service costs $300–$600.
From First Call to Finished Job
-
Call or Text
Tell us what you're seeing and when it started — you'll get a straight answer, not a sales pitch.
-
We Take a Look
A tech inspects the problem in person — no guessing from photos, no drive-by quotes.
-
Know the Price First
You get the scope and the price in writing before any work starts. No surprises.
In practice, on a job like this:
- Check track alignment with a level, re-shim and re-bolt loose brackets, and confirm the rollers ride the full travel without binding
- Replace worn steel rollers with sealed nylon rollers and swap fatigued hinges while the door is supported
Typical Ottumwa Pricing
Ranges to budget around - every situation is priced on its own specifics.
$120–$280
$125–$300
Good to Know Before You Call
How long do garage door springs last?
Springs are rated in cycles — one up and one down is a cycle. A standard 10,000-cycle spring lasts roughly 7–9 years for an average family; a door used many times a day wears faster. We can install higher cycle-rated springs (20k or 30k+) so they last longer if your door runs constantly.
What's the difference between torsion and extension springs?
Torsion springs mount on a bar above the door and lift by twisting — they're more balanced, safer, and longer-lasting, and are standard on modern doors. Extension springs stretch along the tracks on each side and are found on older systems; they must have safety cables so a broken spring can't fly loose.
How much does garage door spring replacement cost?
A single torsion spring runs about $200–$350 installed, and replacing the pair (recommended) is $300–$500. Extension spring sets and add-ons like new cables and drums add to that. Same-day emergency service is priced higher. Beware a quote given without knowing your door's weight and spring size.
Other Things People Ask
Can I still use my garage door with a broken spring?
You shouldn't. With a broken spring the door's full weight is unsupported — lifting it by hand is dangerous and running the opener strains or ruins the motor. Leave it down and call for service; forcing it usually turns a spring repair into a spring-and-opener repair.
How do you know which spring my door needs?
We weigh the door with a scale and measure the old spring's wire gauge, inside diameter, length, and wind direction. Spring size is matched to the door's actual weight — a spring that's even slightly wrong leaves the door heavy, hard on the opener, and short-lived. We don't eyeball it.
How long does a spring replacement take?
A standard torsion spring swap is typically under an hour once the technician is on site, including balancing and testing the door. Replacing cables, drums, or bearings at the same time adds a little. Most calls are handled same-day if the spring size is common.
Why does my door open unevenly or crooked after a spring broke?
A door running on one working spring, or on springs of mismatched tension, lifts unevenly and can bind in the tracks or jump a cable. That uneven load also wears the rollers and opener. Correct, matched spring tension on both sides is what makes the door travel straight and level.
Should the cables and bearings be replaced with the springs?
Often, yes. Cables, drums, and bearings wear on the same clock as the springs, and they're inexpensive compared to a second service call. Swapping them while the system is already apart is the difference between one repair and another failure in a year or two.
Communities We Cover
We cover Ottumwa, IA. Call (641) 244-4987 to confirm coverage for your address.
More Ways We Can Help
Why Ottumwa Homeowners Call
Fast Scheduling
Call (641) 244-4987 for a free quote.
Updated October 2026