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Garage Door Spring Replacement Can Be a Dangerous DIY Task

Written by Posted On Monday, 19 June 2017 09:36

Why Broken Spring Replacement Can Be a Dangerous DIY Task

Broken garage door spring replacement is a risky DIY workgarage door Springs. Attempting DIY garage door repair or spring replacement is very risky. And we can approach the subject from two different angles:

1. Replacing garage door springs is dangerous because you might get hurt seriously, but
2. It might be a risky task if you consider the dangers hidden by an improper spring installation too

Why correct garage door spring installation matters

Let's start from our second point. Spring replacement doesn't only involve removing the existing broken spring. It also involves installing the new spring. And getting the right spring. Okay, you can probably tell whether you have a torsion spring mounted over the opening or extension springs on the two sides of the door. But which brand? For which system? Do you know that there are some differences between one-piece and sectional extension springs? And then it's a matter of measuring the springs before you order them. And that brings us to the actual installation of the spring.


Extension and torsion springs are installed in a different way. The former utilize a pulley system and must be attached on the garage door tracks in order to be tensed enough. As for the torsion spring, you need to place it right in terms of wind types. It also makes a difference if there is only one or two torsion springs on the door.


Garage Door Torsion Spring 3And one last thing. Torsion spring adjustment is also required once installed. But you need the right winding bar for that. You must also know how much to wind them in order to balance the door without keeping it from closing down. So, there is a lot to consider before you get started and during the project. The slightest mistake will influence the good performance of the garage door and in turn your safety.

Garage door spring replacement can cause accidents

You might be under the impression that broken garage door springs are not under tension anymore. That's not always the case. Let's take torsion springs. The spring might have snapped but still be wound. If you accidentally touch the bolt of the stationary cone or the setscrews of the winding cone, the spring might spin. And they spin with incredible speed and thus force. Your fingers or hands might get seriously injured. Extension springs handled wrongly might fly in the garage, especially if there are no safety cables to keep them from flying. That means they can snap and hit you right on the face.


In order to replace garage door springs, you need to release their tension. And that's not easy to do without the right skills and tools. You also need to remember to disconnect the electric garage door opener and clamp the door to keep it from slamming down.

Nothing is easy when it comes to garage door spring repairs

Extension and torsion spring replacement seems easy when techs do it. But it's far from easy when it's your turn to try it out. It involves doing many things before and remembering to take all the right precautions - not to mention the tension of the springs. If the cost of the service is your main issue, remember that it's cheaper to trust a pro than the emergency room. And you will be sure of the way the garage door operates tomorrow too.

 

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