Should You Replace One Garage Door Spring or Both?
You walk into the garage, press the opener, and instead of your garage door opening normally, you hear a loud noise or notice that the door won't lift.
A broken garage door spring is a common reason this happens.
But if your garage door uses two springs and only one has broken, you may have another question:
Should you replace just the broken garage door spring, or should you replace both springs at the same time?
In many cases, replacing both springs may make sense, particularly when they were installed together and have experienced roughly the same amount of use.
However, every garage door system is different.
At Absolute Garage Doors, we provide garage door spring repair and replacement in Georgetown, TX and surrounding Central Texas communities. Here's what homeowners should know before deciding whether to replace one spring or both.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?
Garage door springs do much of the heavy lifting every time your garage door opens and closes.
The springs help counterbalance the weight of the door, allowing the opener and other components to move it more easily.
Every time you open and close the garage door, the springs go through another cycle.
Over time, repeated use can cause the metal to fatigue.
Other factors may also contribute to spring wear, including:
Age
Frequent garage door use
Corrosion or rust
Improper spring sizing
Lack of maintenance
Changes in the weight of the garage door
Eventually, a worn spring can break.
Sometimes the failure is sudden. You may hear a loud bang from the garage even though nothing appears to have fallen.
That sound may be a torsion spring breaking.
How Do You Know if a Garage Door Spring Is Broken?
A broken spring isn't always immediately obvious.
Some common signs include:
The garage door won't open.
The opener strains but can't lift the door.
The garage door feels unusually heavy.
The door opens only a few inches.
The garage door is crooked while opening.
You heard a loud bang from the garage.
A visible gap appears in the torsion spring.
A spring or cable appears loose or damaged.
If you suspect a broken spring, stop repeatedly operating the garage door opener.
The opener isn't designed to replace the lifting power provided by the spring system. Trying to force the door open can potentially put additional stress on the opener and other garage door components.
Should You Replace Both Garage Door Springs if Only One Breaks?
If your garage door has two springs that were installed at the same time, there is a good reason to consider replacing both.
They have likely completed approximately the same number of cycles.
If one spring has reached the end of its service life, the second spring may have experienced a similar amount of wear.
Replacing only the broken spring could mean the older spring fails shortly afterward, requiring another service appointment.
Replacing both springs at once can provide a more evenly matched pair and reduce the likelihood of needing another spring replacement in the near future.
However, that doesn't mean two springs must always be replaced in every situation.
A technician should inspect the entire spring system and consider the age, condition, size, and previous replacement history before making a recommendation.
When Might Replacing Only One Spring Make Sense?
There are situations where replacing a single spring may be reasonable.
For example, one spring may have been replaced more recently than the other.
If one spring is relatively new and still in good condition, automatically replacing it may not be necessary.
There may also be garage door systems that use only one spring.
The important thing is to determine:
What type of spring system you have
How old the springs are
Whether they were installed together
Whether the remaining spring shows significant wear
Whether both springs are properly sized for the door
A professional inspection can help determine the appropriate approach.
Why Matching Garage Door Springs Matters
Garage door springs are selected based on factors such as the weight and size of the garage door.
On a two-spring system, the springs work together to counterbalance the door.
If the springs aren't appropriately matched, the door may not operate as smoothly or balance correctly.
That's another reason spring replacement involves more than simply finding a spring that looks similar to the broken one.
The replacement spring needs to be properly selected for the garage door system.
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?
Garage door spring lifespan is often discussed in terms of cycles rather than years.
One cycle generally means the garage door opens and then closes.
How quickly those cycles accumulate depends heavily on how often your family uses the garage door.
Consider a household that uses the garage as its primary entrance.
Opening the door when leaving for work or school, closing it, opening it when returning home, and closing it again can add several cycles every day.
Over years of use, those cycles add up.
That's why two neighbors with similar garage doors may need spring replacement at very different times.
Spring quality, installation, maintenance, environment, and door condition can also affect service life.
Can Texas Weather Affect Garage Door Springs?
Garage door components in Central Texas deal with significant temperature changes and periods of high heat.
Metal naturally expands and contracts as temperatures change, while moisture can contribute to corrosion.
Weather isn't necessarily the sole reason a garage door spring breaks, but environmental conditions can contribute to the overall wear experienced by garage door components.
Regular visual inspections can help identify rust, wear, or other problems before they become more significant.
Can You Still Open a Garage Door With a Broken Spring?
Technically, a garage door may sometimes still move after a spring breaks.
That doesn't mean you should continue using it.
Without the spring providing the proper counterbalance, the garage door can become extremely heavy.
The opener may struggle to lift it, and manually lifting the door can be dangerous.
If a spring has broken, the safest approach is generally to leave the door closed and schedule professional repair.
If your vehicle is trapped inside and you need immediate access, tell the garage door company when you call so they understand the situation.
Can a Broken Garage Door Spring Damage the Opener?
A broken spring doesn't necessarily mean your opener has also been damaged.
However, repeatedly trying to operate the garage door after a spring breaks can place additional strain on the opener.
Remember, the opener isn't supposed to lift the entire weight of the garage door by itself.
The spring system helps counterbalance that weight.
If the opener suddenly has to work against a much heavier door, components can be put under unnecessary stress.
If your garage door won't open normally, don't repeatedly press the opener button hoping it will eventually work.
Have the system inspected instead.
Is Garage Door Spring Replacement a DIY Repair?
Garage door spring replacement is one repair we'd recommend leaving to experienced professionals.
Garage door springs operate under significant tension.
Attempting to remove, adjust, wind, or replace a spring without the proper tools and knowledge can result in serious injury or property damage.
There are plenty of home repairs that experienced DIY homeowners can safely tackle.
Garage door spring replacement isn't one we'd put on that list.
A trained garage door technician can identify the correct replacement springs and safely install and adjust the system.
Torsion Springs vs. Extension Springs
Not every garage door uses the same type of spring.
Two common systems are torsion springs and extension springs.
Torsion Springs
Torsion springs are typically mounted on a metal shaft above the garage door.
As the door operates, the spring winds and unwinds to help counterbalance the door's weight.
If a torsion spring breaks, you may see a visible separation or gap in the spring.
Extension Springs
Extension springs are generally installed along the sides of the garage door and stretch as the door operates.
The repair process and safety considerations differ from those of torsion spring systems.
If you're not sure which type of spring your garage door uses, a technician can identify the system during an inspection.
What Happens During Garage Door Spring Replacement?
A professional spring replacement generally starts with inspecting the entire garage door system.
The technician may evaluate:
The broken spring
The remaining spring or springs
Cables
Drums
Rollers
Tracks
Hinges
Door balance
Garage door opener operation
This matters because a broken spring may not be the only issue.
Once the appropriate springs are installed, the garage door should be tested to make sure it is properly balanced and operating correctly.
The opener can then be checked to ensure the complete system is functioning as expected.
Should You Replace Garage Door Springs Before They Break?
Not every older spring needs to be replaced simply because of its age.
However, if a technician identifies significant wear, corrosion, damage, or another problem during an inspection, preventative replacement may sometimes make sense.
This can be particularly worth discussing when one spring in a matched pair has already failed.
The goal isn't to replace functioning parts unnecessarily. It's to understand the condition of the complete spring system and make an informed decision.
How Can You Make Garage Door Springs Last Longer?
No garage door spring lasts forever, but maintaining the overall garage door system can help prevent unnecessary strain.
Homeowners can:
Pay attention to changes in how the door operates.
Have unusual noises investigated.
Keep garage door components clean.
Watch for visible rust or damage.
Avoid repeatedly operating a malfunctioning door.
Have the door inspected when it becomes difficult to open or close.
A properly balanced and maintained garage door reduces unnecessary stress on multiple components, including the opener.
If you have a broken garage door spring in Georgetown, Absolute Garage Doors can inspect your system and determine the appropriate repair.
We'll look at more than just the spring that broke.
The goal is to make sure the garage door is properly balanced, the springs are correctly matched to the door, and the rest of the system is operating safely.
If your garage door has two springs, we can also help you determine whether replacing one or both makes the most sense based on their condition and history.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garage Door Spring Replacement
If one garage door spring breaks, will the other break soon?
Not necessarily. However, if both springs were installed together, they've likely experienced a similar number of cycles. The remaining spring may therefore have significant wear even if it hasn't broken yet.
Do you have to replace both garage door springs at the same time?
Not always. Whether both should be replaced depends on the spring system, age, condition, and replacement history. If both springs are the same age, replacing the pair may make sense.
How can I tell if my torsion spring is broken?
A visible gap in the torsion spring is a common sign. You may also notice that the door won't open, feels unusually heavy, or opens only a short distance.
Can I use my garage door opener with a broken spring?
It's best to avoid operating the opener when a spring is broken. The door may be much heavier than normal, which can put additional strain on the opener.
Can I replace a garage door spring myself?
Garage door springs operate under significant tension and can cause serious injury if handled incorrectly. Spring replacement is best performed by an experienced garage door professional.
Who replaces garage door springs in Georgetown, TX?
Absolute Garage Doors provides garage door spring repair and replacement in Georgetown, TX and surrounding Central Texas communities.
Need Garage Door Spring Replacement in Georgetown?
If you've heard a loud bang, noticed a gap in your garage door spring, or suddenly can't get your garage door to open, don't keep forcing the door to operate.
Absolute Garage Doors provides garage door spring repair and replacement in Georgetown, TX.
We can inspect the spring system, determine what failed, and help you decide whether replacing one spring or both is the appropriate option for your garage door.
Contact Absolute Garage Doors today to schedule garage door spring repair in Georgetown, TX: https://www.garagedoorsgeorgetown.com/garage-door-repair-near-me
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