How much does it cost to repair a garage door spring?

Garage door spring repair costs typically range from $150 to $350, depending on the type of spring (torsion or extension), the size of your door, and whether one or both springs need replacement. At Garage Door Citrus Heights, we provide free estimates before any work begins, so you know exactly what to expect. Our pricing includes quality parts, professional installation, and our no-hassle guarantee. We recommend replacing both springs at the same time, even if only one is broken, as they wear at similar rates and this prevents a return visit when the second spring fails.

How often should I have my garage door serviced?

We recommend having your garage door professionally serviced at least once a year to ensure safe, reliable operation. During a maintenance visit, our technicians perform a comprehensive 25-point inspection that includes lubricating all moving parts, testing safety sensors, checking spring tension, tightening hardware, and inspecting cables and rollers for wear. Regular maintenance can extend the life of your garage door system by 5-10 years and help prevent costly emergency repairs. If your door gets heavy use (opening and closing more than 4 times daily) or you live in an area with extreme temperatures, we recommend bi-annual service.

What brands of garage doors do you install and repair?

We service and install all major garage door brands including Clopay, Amarr, Wayne Dalton, CHI, Raynor, and more. As aluminum door specialists, we're particularly experienced with modern aluminum and glass panel doors that are popular in contemporary home designs. For new installations, we offer a wide selection of doors in various styles, materials, and price points to match your home's architecture and your budget. We also install and repair all major opener brands including LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Genie, and Craftsman. Our technicians carry common parts on their trucks, which often allows us to complete repairs in a single visit.

Essential Garage Door Safety Tips Every Family Should Know

2026-01-05 5 min read Mike Thompson

Your garage door is the largest and heaviest moving object in your home, weighing anywhere from 150 to 400 pounds depending on the size and material. While modern safety features have made garage doors safer than ever, understanding potential hazards and following safety guidelines is essential for protecting your family.

Understanding the Risks

Garage doors and openers are involved in thousands of injuries annually. The most serious incidents typically involve: - Doors falling due to spring failure, Fingers or hands caught in door sections, Children playing with or under moving doors, Improper DIY repair attempts

The good news is that nearly all garage door injuries are preventable with proper awareness and maintenance.

Essential Safety Features

Photo-Eye Sensors

Since 1993, all garage door openers sold in the United States must include photo-eye sensors. These sensors create an invisible beam across the door opening about six inches above the ground. If anything breaks this beam while the door is closing, the door automatically reverses.

Test your sensors monthly: Place a cardboard box in the door's path and close the door. It should reverse immediately upon contacting or sensing the box. If it doesn't, the sensors may need cleaning, realignment, or replacement.

Auto-Reverse Feature

In addition to photo-eyes, openers must have an automatic reverse feature that triggers when the door contacts an object during closing. This mechanical safety feature provides a backup to the photo-eyes.

Test the auto-reverse: Place a 2x4 flat on the ground where the door closes. The door should reverse within two seconds of contacting the wood. If the door pushes through or takes longer to reverse, the force settings need adjustment.

Safety Guidelines for Families

Teach Children About Garage Door Safety

Make sure children understand: - Never stand, walk, or run under a moving garage door, Never play with garage door controls, Keep fingers away from door sections and hinges, Never try to race the door, Tell an adult immediately if something seems wrong with the door

Keep Remote Controls Secure

Wall-mounted controls should be placed at least five feet high.out of reach of young children. Keep remote controls where children can't access them, and teach children that the door controls are not toys.

Visual Check Before Closing

Before closing your garage door, especially when backing out of the garage, visually confirm that the path is clear. Never assume the safety features will catch everything.they have limitations.

Never Leave a Moving Door

Wait until the door has fully closed before driving away or walking inside. Doors can reverse unexpectedly, and children or pets might enter the garage in the seconds after you've turned away.

Maintenance for Safety

Monthly Inspections

Perform a visual inspection of your garage door system monthly: - Look for worn or frayed cables, Check for gaps or damage in the springs, Examine the tracks for dents or obstructions, Test the balance of the door, Verify the safety reverse features work

Professional Annual Service

Have your door professionally serviced at least once per year. A technician will: - Inspect high-tension springs and cables safely, Lubricate all moving parts, Adjust spring tension and track alignment, Test and calibrate safety features, Identify potential problems before they become hazards

Replace Aging Equipment

Garage door openers older than 1993 may lack modern safety features. If your opener pre-dates this era, upgrading to a modern unit is a worthwhile safety investment. Even openers from the 1990s and early 2000s lack features like rolling code technology and battery backup that enhance security and safety.

Emergency Procedures

If Someone Is Trapped

If a person is pinned under a garage door: 1. Call 911 immediately 2. Do not try to lift the door alone if the springs are broken 3. If it's safe to do so, use the emergency release cord (the red handle hanging from the opener track) to disconnect the door from the opener 4. Multiple adults may be needed to lift a door with broken springs

Power Outages

During power outages, you can manually operate your garage door: 1. Pull the emergency release cord 2. The door is now disconnected from the opener 3. Lift the door manually from the bottom 4. Never release the cord while the door is open, as it may fall 5. Reconnect by running the opener after power is restored

When to Call a Professional

Never attempt DIY repairs on: - Springs (torsion or extension) - Cables, Bottom brackets, Any component under high tension

These components operate under extreme force and can cause severe injury or death if handled improperly. Professional technicians have the tools, training, and experience to work with these components safely.

At Garage Door Citrus Heights, your family's safety is our priority. If you have any concerns about your garage door's safety features or need a professional inspection, call us at (916) 398-2487.

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