If you discover one of your garage door extension springs has snapped or become damaged, your first instinct may be to replace both springs for “balance”. However, in many cases replacing the single broken spring is sufficient rather than incurring the double cost. Here are some tips on determining if a one-spring replacement will work for your door before resorting to Garage Door Spring Repair in Glen Allen for both.

Inspect Remaining Spring

Take a close look at the currently installed spring that wasn’t affected. Is it in good shape without signs of corrosion, cracks or lost coils? If so, it’s very possible one new spring paired with the good existing spring can perform just as well balanced.

Check Door Balance

With the one broken spring removed, lift the garage door manually about halfway. It should hover smoothly in place, neither traveling up or down on its own. A little drift in either direction is acceptable. Too much imbalance signals needing both springs replaced.

Match Spring Specs

Confirm the existing good spring matches the manufacturer specifications for your door size/weight in terms of diameter, coils, color code etc. An compatible replacement can then balance it perfectly. Mismatched springs may introduce issues.

Consider Age Differences

Older doors with original springs nearing 20 years old usually do better with two new springs of equal age/tension for safety and smoothness. But isolated incidents can usually work with one replacement.

Test Run the Door

If initial checks show balance is maintained, do test runs raising and lowering the door fully with the new single spring installed. Watch for any binding, cocking or unusual noises that could point to the need for a second spring after all.

Replacing just one broken extension spring can save you 50% versus a full set, while still restoring safe and dependable operation in many cases. Proper inspection lets you decide without risking a larger Glen Allen repair down the line should imbalance issues surface.