The Dangers of Replacing a Garage Door Spring By Yourself

There are many risks that come with trying to repair a garage door spring on your own. One wrong move could easily lead to a serious accident. Do you have the skill and experience in repairing or adjusting garage door spring systems? If not, then it is best to leave the garage door spring replacement to the professionals. Without the proper education, training, skills, and equipment, you could be in danger by trying to complete this task.

This feature will discuss the risks of replacing garage door springs on your own. But first things first, what are garage door springs?

Do All Garage Doors Have the Same Spring System?

Despite the wide variety of garage door designs, there are only two kinds of springs for garage door systems.

Torsion Spring

At the top of a garage door is a torsion spring system. The single spring is held in a tube as a safety measure in case it breaks. Torsion springs are responsible for over 95% of the lift that the motor needs to raise a garage door.

Extension Spring

Extension springs come in pairs. You can see these springs on the two horizontal rails. Extension systems include safety cables. Technicians insert these cables into the springs during installation. Using two springs offers the benefit of increased safety, as they are less likely to fail simultaneously.

For How Many Years Does a Garage Door Spring Last?

Operational cycles are a measure of a spring system’s lifespan. For example, one cycle happens each time your door opens and shuts. It can give you an idea of how long your garage door’s mechanical springs will last.

Generally, garage door springs can last about 10,000 cycles. It means that if you use your door twice a day, it should last more than 12 years. However, garage doors with double-life springs can provide up to 20,000 operation cycles.

Why DIY Spring Replacement Is Dangerous

If you are not a technician, you probably do not have much expertise when it comes to garage door repairs. Spring systems are put under much tension since they support the entire weight of a garage door. It is especially true for large and solid wood doors. The spring systems in these doors are usually under even more tension than doors for single-car garages.

It is risky to replace or repair garage door springs without the necessary tools or training. When under stress, garage door springs store much pressure. And if they fly, the accompanying force can easily injure someone when improperly released.

The Dangers of Replacing a Garage Door Spring By Yourself

Many injuries arise from attempting to replace broken garage door springs on one’s own. One client of ours removed their garage door spring while it was still under tension. It dislocated a thumb and left the client with severe nerve damage that rendered a hand unusable.

While our garage door spring replacement services are reliable, we have heard stories of customers being injured by broken springs. In one case, a client was operating the door when the spring broke, ricocheting and hitting him. The force resulted in severely slashed forehead and injured eyes. We urge all our clients to be careful when using garage doors. Contact us immediately if you think there may be an issue with your garage door spring.

Saving a little money for a do-it-yourself spring replacement is not a good idea. With normal garage door use, garage door springs can last five to seven years, requiring less frequent repair. It makes more sense to call a skilled technician with the tools and knowledge to accomplish the work. This way, you do not endanger anyone or your property when it is time to repair the springs.

Garage Door Repair Near Me

Call Omaha Garage Door Repair for safe and dependable garage door service to avoid the risks of repairing your garage door springs. With our more than a decade of experience in the garage doors Omaha industry, you can count that you are getting the best service possible. Our free estimates mean there is no need to worry about the price – we will let you know what you need without charging a penny more. So if you need quality garage door service, call us today at (402) 819-5158.