Garage door springs have a lot of tension and if they break, they can cause injury. If your garage door makes noise and you suspect a problem with the springs, it’s best to call in a professional.
It is possible for homeowners to replace their own garage door springs, but it’s a very dangerous task and not recommended. Here are a few reasons why you should leave this job to the professionals:
1. Safety
When working with springs, individuals should take several safety precautions to avoid injury and accidents. These precautions include: disconnecting power, ensuring a well-lit workspace, and wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
Also, it’s important to remove all clutter from the immediate vicinity of the springs so that you can maneuver without risking getting tangled up or knocking over objects! Lastly, it’s a good idea to have someone working with you as they can support the ladder and pass up tools, making the task much easier.
Another crucial aspect of safety is to make sure that you’re using the right tool for the job. Attempting to use something that’s not meant for this purpose can result in severe injuries. For example, screwdrivers and plier handles are not appropriate for removing or installing springs.
Instead, you’ll want to use special winding bars. Using these can greatly reduce the risk of injuries and other issues. Moreover, you should never touch the cable drums or torsion shaft unless it’s absolutely necessary.
2. Experience
Garage door springs counterbalance the weight of your garage door so that it can easily open and close, whether manually or with an automatic opener.
These high-tension steel springs have a limited lifespan and will need replacing at some point. This is typically not a DIY job, even for those who are experienced in home repairs. It is dangerous work, requiring the use of specialized tools like winding bars, and the consequences of not following proper safety measures can be severe.
Torsion springs are located above the garage door frame and operate by twisting each time the door opens and closes. They’re more difficult to replace than extension springs, which have pulleys and are connected to cables.
Replacing either type of spring requires knowledge about the correct size of each component and experience in working with these high-tension springs. It’s also important to replace springs in pairs, as this ensures that the doors are balanced and prevents premature wear on the remaining spring.
3. Time
When working with garage door springs that are under extreme tension, even a small mistake can lead to disaster and injury. This is why many homeowners choose to leave the task of replacing these springs to the professionals.
For instance, if your garage door has a lot of squeaking that doesn’t respond to lubrication, it’s a sign that the springs need to be replaced. Excessive squeaking can also indicate that the springs are overheated and worn out, which means they’re starting to break.
When you hire a professional for a garage door spring repair, they’ll be able to complete the job in a timely manner since they’ll be familiar with the process.
They’ll also likely carry the exact springs that your garage door needs. This will save you time as well as money on shipping costs and labor. If you have a torsion garage door, it’s important to replace both springs at the same time, so the other one won’t break soon after.
4. Money
Typically, homeowners can save themselves between $150 and $350 by leaving garage door spring replacement to the professionals. In addition, they’ll also be able to avoid the added expenses that can come from a failed DIY attempt.
Garage door springs are key to opening and closing your garage door. Without them, your garage door would be far too heavy and dangerous to raise or lower manually. Unfortunately, these critical parts have a limited lifespan and will eventually break.
If this happens, your garage door could become unbalanced and fall off the track. In these cases, it’s important to contact a professional team garage door technician and see our services for repairs.
This will prevent further damage to your property and anyone else that may be in its path. Plus, it’ll give you peace of mind knowing your family and belongings are safe from harm. In the end, a little bit of money is well worth the safety and quality that comes with professional service.