When winter rolls into Ottawa, everything slows down, including your garage door. Freezing temperatures affect more than just how your door moves. Springs, in particular, take the brunt of the seasonal stress. We often see more garage door issues during these cold snaps than any other time of year. In this post, we’ll explain exactly why that happens and what can be done to keep your springs from breaking too soon.

Cold Temperatures Change Spring Metal Behavior

Metal behaves differently depending on the weather. During a deep freeze, garage door springs become less flexible. As a result, every stretch and release causes more stress than usual. That change in performance adds up quickly over several days or weeks.

We see this problem most during sudden drops in temperature. A spring that worked fine yesterday may snap the next morning. Metal contracts in the cold, which tightens coils and increases tension. If the spring is already worn or unbalanced, it will likely fail right when you need it.

Springs are under high tension even in warm weather. However, freezing air magnifies tiny flaws in the material. Those microfractures can turn into a break, especially if the spring is near the end of its cycle life. This is a leading reason many homeowners reach out for garage door service in Ottawa once winter sets in.

Moisture and Rust Speed Up Metal Fatigue

Water in the air creates trouble when temperatures fluctuate. Ottawa winters don’t just bring cold—they also bring moisture from snow, sleet, and ice. That moisture gets into spring coils and often sits there undisturbed. When combined with salt from driveways or roads, it creates ideal conditions for rust.

Rust weakens metal from the inside out. Surface corrosion doesn’t always look like a big issue, but it can wear down the integrity of a spring fast. If moisture settles into the coil and the door is operated multiple times each day, it increases the chance of early failure.

In particular, double spring setups tend to fail one side at a time when rust is present. One spring ends up carrying more weight, leading to a sudden break. We’ve seen cases where a small patch of corrosion causes a clean snap at the midpoint, leaving the door stuck halfway open. For this reason, regular upkeep plays a big role in extending spring life.

Rapid Expansion and Contraction Causes Stress Fractures

Fluctuating temperatures can do just as much harm as deep cold. Some winter days in Ottawa start mild and end below freezing. These rapid shifts cause metal to expand and contract within hours. That constant motion weakens the structure of the spring, especially around the ends and hook points.

Most garage door springs are designed to handle consistent conditions. When outdoor air swings wildly from warm to cold, it tests the limits of what springs are built to take. Stress fractures often begin around welded areas or spots that bear the most weight.

In older setups, we’ve noticed that these changes can shift the alignment of the entire door. One spring might relax while the other tightens, creating an imbalance that forces one side to carry too much load. That kind of stress shortens the lifespan of both springs. When customers call for garage door cable repair and spring issues, these temperature-related fractures are often to blame.

Lack of Lubrication Makes Winter Worse

Skipping maintenance in the fall means more problems in the winter. Springs need lubrication to handle friction. In cold weather, standard lubricants can thicken or harden. If springs go untreated, they start grinding against themselves or the brackets holding them in place.

That grinding creates heat, which may sound helpful in winter, but it actually causes wear. The metal softens just slightly during movement, then cools and hardens again when static. Repeated cycles of this process slowly change the shape of the coil. Springs might begin to stretch unevenly or stick during motion.

We recommend using a silicone-based lubricant before the cold arrives. Standard oil can stiffen or attract debris. Silicone holds up better during freezing temperatures and doesn’t gum up the system. Preventing this kind of winter wear is one of the easiest ways to avoid spring failure during Ottawa’s harshest weeks.

Old Springs Are More Likely to Snap in Winter

Garage door springs are built to last a certain number of cycles. One cycle is one full open and close. A standard spring may last for 10,000 cycles, while high-cycle versions can reach up to 30,000. Regardless of the type, cold snaps can push worn springs beyond their final threshold.

We often find that spring failure during a cold snap isn’t just because of the weather. It’s because the spring was already near the end of its life. Winter just delivers the final blow. If your door has slowed down, creaked, or moved unevenly in the fall, those are signs that the springs are aging.

Replacements become more urgent when winter hits. That’s when tension is highest and risk is greatest. We always suggest booking seasonal checks ahead of time, but if you missed it, it’s not too late. For immediate help, reach out through our garage door spring service request to speak with someone who can guide you through next steps.

Improper Spring Type Worsens Cold Weather Performance

Using the wrong spring size or type also speeds up failures. Torsion springs must match the weight and dimensions of the garage door. If they’re too weak, they overstretch with every use. If too strong, they put excess pressure on tracks and opener arms.

In winter, these mismatches become more obvious. Weak springs stop holding their load. Strong springs resist movement and create extra strain on other parts. Both scenarios lead to damage that is hard to notice until something finally breaks.

Doors with heavy insulation are especially sensitive to incorrect spring setups. These doors weigh more, and when the temperature drops, lubrication is less effective and materials are stiffer. If your springs aren’t tuned for that load, they’ll wear out much faster. Always check your hardware when upgrading doors or adding insulation. A balanced spring setup gives your door a better chance of lasting through multiple Ottawa winters.

FAQ

How do I know if my garage door springs are failing?
Watch for uneven lifting, loud snapping sounds, or a door that feels heavier than usual. These signs often point to failing springs.

Should I use regular oil on my garage door springs in winter?
No. Regular oil thickens in cold weather. Use a silicone-based lubricant for better winter performance.

Is it safe to replace springs myself during winter?
It’s not recommended. Cold metal is more brittle and tension is harder to control. Always have a professional handle replacements.

What causes one spring to break while the other seems fine?
Usually, one spring wears down faster due to imbalance or rust. The other might still break soon after due to the extra load.

Can I prevent spring issues before winter hits?
Yes. Schedule a fall inspection, apply proper lubrication, and replace aging parts before the cold increases stress on the system.