Typically, the expected lifespan of a garage door spring is about five to eight years. If both springs are in that age window, then it’s likely a good idea you should replace both. If one garage door spring is newer, it may not need to replace it immediately. The fact that one garage door spring has worn out does not mean the other has worn out as well.
Garage door opener systems balance the load between the springs. When set up properly, this prevents excessive wear on a good spring if there is a bad spring. The wear on one does not mean wear on the other.
Makes good financial sense, too
Economics drive this decision. It may cost you less overall if you have them both springs replaced on your McHenry garage door at one time. Your garage door professional is already there so you are looking at the cost of parts and a little more labor to get the job done. If you wait and then have the other replaced a short time later, you’ll pay more for labor and more overall. This suggests that paying less now and is a better gamble. In most circumstances, doing both at the same time makes sense.
If you can't afford the extra cost now, or simply don't want to pay the extra cost at this time, it’s not the end of the world. Perhaps you are planning to sell your home soon and don't want to deal with the extra cost. Perhaps you rent the home and are incurring the cost of replacing the garage door springs yourself. These are situations where you may want to gamble on how soon you’ll have to replace the other garage door spring.
Hiring a qualified garage door technician to replace you springs helps make sure that the job is done right. Your garage door opener is a balanced system and getting the wrong spring, or setting them up improperly, can lead to more repair work and greater costs. Sure, it might save money now, but you’re gambling that your garage door opener will continue to balance the load between the two garage door springs for a long time. As mentioned earlier, you should expect five to eight years of life from your garage door springs.
Make sure the job is done right
Some garage door professionals in Northern Illinois like to use pre-cut springs. This allows the garage door technicians to get in and get out faster. Less time on the repair and less cost on the materials equate to a greater profit margin, even if they appear to give you a lower cost.
It may seem less expensive but shoddy work can cost more in the long run. It is easy to get the wrong spring for your garage door. Perhaps they decided which spring to use based on what they are removing. Perhaps they decided based on factory specs for your garage door opener. These are good guidelines but they do not guaranty that you’ll receive the right spring for your garage door.
The best approach is to weigh the door to determine the correct garage door springs. Your garage door opener is using that spring to counterbalance your door. The wrong spring will prove ineffective. Even if the factory specs define a certain garage door spring that does not mean it is the right one for your garage door. For instance, if the garage door is insulated, it will be heavier. Studs added for stability also increase the weight of the garage door.
These factors require different garage door springs than the original specs required. Using the proper garage door springs for your McHenry garage door means that your garage door opener can use less force to open and close your garage door.
Do you, as a homeowner, need to replace both springs at the same time? Maybe it’s smarter, but it's not mandatory. When you do replace springs on your garage door, insist that your garage door professional do the work correctly. It will extend the life out of your entire garage door system.
