If your garage door spring just broke, you're probably wondering whether to replace just the broken one or bite the bullet and replace both. It's a fair question, and the answer depends on the age of your springs and how much wear you're seeing. I'll walk you through the thinking here so you can make the right call for your door.
Springs Wear Out Together, Even If One Breaks First
Both springs on your door carry equal weight when the door is in motion. They're designed to work as a matched pair, and they age at roughly the same rate. When one spring snaps, the other one has usually been under the same stress and accumulated the same number of cycles. A typical garage door opens and closes 3 to 5 times per day. Over 10 years, that's thousands of cycles wearing down the metal.
If your springs are 8 to 10 years old and one just failed, the other is almost certainly close behind. You could replace one spring today and have the second one break in three months, forcing a second service call and another trip charge. That's frustrating and expensive.
The Real Cost of Replacing One Spring
When you call us out for a spring replacement, you're paying for a service visit. That visit covers the technician's time, travel, and the expertise to safely handle high-tension springs. The spring itself might cost $150 to $300 depending on the type and size of your door, but the labor and trip charge often run $200 to $400 more. If you replace one spring now and the other breaks later, you're paying that full trip cost twice.
Replacing both springs at the same time costs more upfront, but you're only paying one service visit. You spread the labor cost across two springs instead of one. Over the next five to ten years, you also avoid a second emergency call when the other spring fails at an inconvenient time, like when you're trying to get to work or leave for a trip.
When Replacing One Spring Makes Sense
There are situations where one spring is the right answer. If your springs are relatively new, say 2 to 4 years old, and one breaks from a defect or accident rather than age, the other spring likely has most of its life left. In that case, replacing just the broken one is reasonable.
Also, if money is genuinely tight right now and you need to get the door working today, replacing one spring gets you back in action immediately. You can plan to replace the second one in a few months when your budget allows. It's not ideal, but it's better than a non-functional door.
Signs Both Springs Need Replacement
Look at the springs themselves if you can safely do so. Springs that are visibly rusty, pitted, or corroded are nearing the end of their life. If you see white or orange corrosion on both springs, they're both aging fast. Listen to the door, too. If it sounds jerky or unbalanced, that's often a sign that one spring is already weak and the other is carrying more load than it should.
You can also ask the technician to inspect both springs when they come out. A good garage door company will tell you honestly whether the second spring looks like it has years left or if it's on borrowed time. We always recommend replacing both if they're the same age and showing equal wear.
Spring Type Matters
Some doors have two torsion springs, which is the most common setup in Spring, Texas. Others have two extension springs, one on each side. A few older doors have a single spring. If you have two springs and they're matched, they should be replaced together. If for some reason you have mismatched springs (different types or ages), that's actually a problem that needs fixing, because the door won't balance properly.
When you replace springs, make sure the new ones match the door's specifications. The wire gauge, coil size, and tension rating all matter. If you're unsure, the technician can check the old spring or measure the door to get the right replacement.
The Bottom Line for Your Door
If your springs are over 8 years old, replace both. You'll save money on service calls and avoid a second breakdown. If they're newer and only one failed, replacing just the broken one is fine. Either way, don't ignore a broken spring. A door without a working spring puts extra strain on the opener and can cause the door to fall or jam, which is a safety risk and a potential damage risk to your vehicle.
At LGA Garage Door Service, we service doors all over Spring and can inspect both springs, give you an honest assessment, and handle the replacement the right way. Give us a call and we'll help you figure out whether one spring or both makes sense for your situation.
