2026-03-18 7 min read
If you've lived in the Staples area for more than a few years, you already know the climate doesn't mess around. Summers push well above 100°F, spring brings heavy thunderstorms rolling up from the Gulf, and winter occasionally drops a surprise freeze that catches everyone off guard. That back-and-forth is hard on people. but it's even harder on the metal components inside your garage door system, especially the springs.
Garage door springs work through a simple principle: stored mechanical tension. Every time your door opens and closes, those springs wind and unwind under significant force. What makes the Central Texas climate particularly punishing is the combination of extremes. The expansion caused by triple-digit August afternoons followed by the sudden contraction of a cold front creates microscopic stress fractures in the steel over time. It's not dramatic. you won't notice it happening. but the cumulative effect chips away at spring integrity season after season.
Then there's humidity. The eastern two-thirds of Texas, which includes the Staples and San Marcos corridor, sits in a humid subtropical climate zone where Gulf moisture pushes inland regularly. That moisture causes surface rust on spring coils, which weakens the metal and accelerates wear. If you've ever heard a persistent squeak from your garage door that wouldn't go away even after lubing the rollers, corroded springs may be the real culprit. Our full services page covers all the components we inspect and service, including springs, cables, and hardware.
On average, garage door springs in Central Texas last between 7 and 10 years, assuming the door is used 4 to 5 times per day. But that estimate assumes reasonable conditions. If your garage is your main entry point. and for most homeowners in Staples and out toward Georgetown and Leander, it is. you're likely burning through cycles faster than average. A household using the garage door 8 to 10 times daily can reach the 10,000-cycle limit in as little as 3 to 4 years.
High-cycle spring upgrades are worth asking about when you replace your springs. Premium torsion springs can be rated for significantly more cycles. sometimes 50,000 or more. which makes a real difference for busy households in this climate.
Torsion springs mount horizontally above the door opening on a metal shaft. They're the more common setup on newer homes and tend to last longer because the weight of the door is distributed more evenly across the system. Extension springs run along the sides of the door tracks and stretch and contract with each cycle. They're typically found on older or lighter residential doors and wear out faster due to the constant pulling motion.
For most homes in the area. whether you're in a newer build near Marble Falls or an older ranch-style property closer to Bertram. torsion springs are the preferred option for durability. If your home still has extension springs, it may be worth discussing an upgrade when the time comes for replacement.
Don't wait for a complete failure to pay attention. Here's what to watch for:
- A loud bang from the garage. The most dramatic sign. A torsion spring breaking under full tension sounds like a gunshot. If you hear this, stop using the opener immediately. - The door feels extremely heavy. Disconnect the opener and try lifting the door manually to about waist height. If it doesn't stay in place or feels like dead weight, the springs aren't doing their job. - Jerky or uneven movement. If the door starts to rise then stops or moves at an angle, one spring may have failed while the other is still holding. - Visible gaps in the spring coil. A separated coil is a clear sign the spring has snapped. - Rust or squeaking that won't go away. Surface corrosion is a signal that the metal is weakening, even if the spring hasn't broken yet.
It's worth noting that a broken spring forces your garage door opener to work far harder than it was designed to. What starts as a spring issue can quickly turn into a motor burnout. a much more expensive repair. Reach out to us before you let a warning sign become a full breakdown.
You can't stop the Texas weather, but you can reduce its impact:
1. Lubricate the springs every 6 months using a lithium-based or silicone spray lubricant. Apply a thin coat directly to the coils. Avoid WD-40. it evaporates quickly and can attract dust and debris. 2. Wipe down the spring area after heavy rain or humidity spikes to prevent moisture from sitting on the metal. 3. Do a balance test twice a year. disconnect the opener, lift the door manually to about halfway, and let go. It should stay in place. If it drops or rises, the spring tension is off and it's time for a professional adjustment. 4. Schedule a professional inspection before summer. catching heat-related stress early is far cheaper than an emergency call in August.
For a deeper look at another high-wear component, check out our guide on roller care and when to swap them out. Rollers and springs often fail around the same time, especially in homes where maintenance has been deferred.
Q: Can I replace a broken garage door spring myself? A: This is one repair we strongly advise against attempting on your own. Garage door springs are under extreme tension. enough to cause serious injury if released suddenly. The tools and techniques required are specialized. Always call a professional for spring replacement.
Q: Should I replace both springs at the same time, or just the one that broke? A: Replace both. If one spring has reached the end of its cycle life, the other is close behind. Replacing just one means a second service call. and a second labor charge. in the near future. Doing both at once is simply more cost-effective.
Q: How do I know if I have torsion or extension springs? A: Look above your garage door opening. If you see a horizontal spring mounted on a metal rod running across the top of the door, that's a torsion spring. If you see springs running along the horizontal tracks on each side of the door, those are extension springs.