Why Garage Door Torsion Springs Snap in Des Moines, WA & Why High-Cycle Steel Matters

By Zoey Garage Door Service — Serving Des Moines, WA (98198) & Surrounding Normandy Park, SeaTac, Federal Way, Kent, Burien

How Counterbalance Torsion Springs Lift a 300-Pound Door in Des Moines

Many homeowners in Des Moines, WA (98198) and nearby Normandy Park assume the electric ceiling opener lifts the weight of their garage door. In reality, the torsion spring assembly mounted above the header performs over 90% of the heavy lifting. When a spring snaps, the door becomes dead weight—attempting to force it open with the electric motor strips the drive gears and can buckle the top steel panel.

Why Dual Spring Replacement Is Always Recommended in Des Moines

When one torsion spring breaks on a two-spring shaft in Des Moines or SeaTac, the remaining unbroken spring has endured the exact same number of cycles and seasonal thermal stress. Replacing both springs simultaneously with matched high-cycle ASTM A229 oil-tempered coils ensures balanced drum tension and prevents a second emergency breakdown weeks later.