A loud bang from the garage is often the first sign that something has gone terribly wrong. If you find that your garage door won’t open and you see a gap in the coiled spring above the door, you are dealing with a broken garage door spring. This is one of the most common, yet potentially dangerous, issues homeowners face. A frequent question we hear at All 4 Seasons Garage & Entry Doors is: “If only one spring is broken, do I really need to replace both?”
The short answer is yes. In this guide, we will explain why replacing both springs is the safest and most cost-effective choice for homeowners in the Atlanta and Alpharetta areas, and why this is a job best left to the professionals.
Why Garage Door Springs Usually Wear at the Same Rate
Most modern double-car garage doors are equipped with two torsion springs, located on a metal shaft above the door. These springs work together to counterbalance the heavy weight of the door, making it easy to open manually or with an automatic opener. Every time you open and close your garage door, both springs undergo the same amount of stress and tension.
Garage door springs are rated for a specific number of “cycles” (one cycle equals one full opening and closing of the door). Because both springs are installed at the same time and do the exact same amount of work, they wear out at the same rate. If one spring has reached the end of its lifespan and snapped, the other spring is almost certainly right behind it. It could break tomorrow, next week, or next month, but its failure is imminent.
The Risks of Replacing Only One Spring
It might be tempting to save a little money upfront by only replacing the broken spring, but this approach often leads to more significant problems and higher costs down the road.
- Imbalanced Door: A new spring has maximum tension, while an old spring has lost much of its strength over years of use. If you pair a new spring with an old one, your garage door will be unbalanced. This imbalance causes the door to open unevenly, putting excessive strain on the tracks, rollers, and the garage door opener itself.
- Premature Opener Failure: An unbalanced door forces your garage door opener to work much harder than it was designed to. This can lead to stripped gears or a burned-out motor, turning a simple spring replacement into a costly opener replacement.
- Double Labor Costs: If you only replace one spring, you will inevitably have to call a technician back when the second spring breaks shortly after. You will end up paying for two separate service calls and labor charges, which costs more than replacing both springs at once.
For more insights on keeping your door balanced and functioning properly, check out our guide on how often you should service your garage door.
Torsion Spring Replacement Basics
Torsion springs are tightly wound coils of steel that store an immense amount of energy. When the door is closed, the springs are under maximum tension. As the door opens, the springs unwind, releasing their energy to help lift the heavy door.
Replacing these springs involves carefully unwinding the remaining tension from the unbroken spring (if applicable), removing the old springs from the shaft, sliding the new springs into place, and then winding them to the exact tension required for your specific door’s weight and height. This process requires specialized tools, such as winding bars, and a deep understanding of the mechanical forces at play.
If you are dealing with other mechanical issues, such as a snapped cable, you can learn more in our article about garage door cable repair.
Safety Concerns: Why Homeowners Should Not DIY Spring Replacement
With the rise of online tutorials, many homeowners in North Georgia are tempted to tackle home repairs themselves. However, garage door spring replacement is not a DIY project. The risks involved are simply too high.
The tension held within a torsion spring is powerful enough to lift a door weighing hundreds of pounds. If a spring snaps while you are working on it, or if a winding bar slips from your grasp, the sudden release of energy can cause severe lacerations, broken bones, or even fatal injuries. Furthermore, installing the wrong size spring or winding it incorrectly can cause the door to crash down unexpectedly, damaging your property or injuring anyone nearby.
At All 4 Seasons Garage & Entry Doors, our technicians have the training, experience, and specialized equipment to perform garage door spring repair safely and efficiently. We ensure that the correct springs are installed and properly balanced, giving you peace of mind.
When looking for a professional to handle this dangerous task, it’s crucial to choose a reputable company. Read our tips on how to know you are hiring the right garage door company.
Trust the Experts at All 4 Seasons
If you hear that unmistakable loud bang or notice your garage door struggling to open, don’t wait and don’t try to fix it yourself. Replacing both springs simultaneously is the industry standard for a reason—it ensures the safety, balance, and longevity of your entire garage door system.
As a family-owned business with over 25 years of experience and 250+ years of combined team experience, All 4 Seasons Garage & Entry Doors is your trusted partner for all your garage door needs in the Atlanta and Alpharetta areas. We offer 24/7 emergency service and same-day service to get your door back in working order quickly and safely.
Need your garage door springs replaced? Contact us today at 678-981-8454 or visit our Contact Us page to schedule your free estimate. Let our experts handle the heavy lifting!