How Do the Pros Replace a Garage Door Spring?

Are you a self-proclaimed Hunters Creek Garage Door Repair DIYer? While there are plenty of awesome projects to complete around the house, replacing your garage door springs isn’t one of them.

Not only is this job complicated, but done incorrectly and you might find yourself locked out for good!

Not sure if your garage door needs a repair or replacement? We can help with this too, from diagnosing the issue to getting the job done right.

Still not convinced that you need the pros to help replace a garage door spring?

Keep reading to uncover a few more reasons why you should put down the tools and pick up the phone!

Not All Garage Door Springs Are the Same

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach on how to replace a broken garage spring. There are two main types of garage door springs: torsion and extension.

To complicate things further, there are three types of extension springs and four types of torsion springs.

Unless you’re a professional, you won’t know the specific differences at first glance. Here’s a quick rundown.

Torsion Springs

The number of torsion springs ranges from 1 to 4 depending on the size, strength, and weight of the garage door. These springs are located on the metal shaft above the door opening.

There are four types of torsion springs — standard, early-set, steel rolling-door, and torque-master.

Standard torsion springs are common on residential garage doors and can operate on as little as one spring (depending on the weight of the door). Early-set springs are similar to standard springs but are mounted next to the end bearing. Torque-master torsion springs have a proprietary spring system and are primarily for residential use.

Steel rolling-doors are mostly found on industrial and commercial garage doors.

Extension Springs

Extension springs are long and skinny. They run parallel to the horizontal tracks found on most garage doors.

They stretch out when the door closes, creating resistance. This resistance helps bring the garage door up when opening.

Open-looped springs are the weakest type of extension spring and operate using a wire at the end. If this wire breaks, you still need to replace the entire spring.

Double-looped extension springs are a bit stronger and use two coils and a pulley system.

Clipped-end extension springs are the strongest of the three and used for garage doors weighing 200 pounds or more.

With so many different types of garage door springs and moving parts, it’s not easy to diagnose the problem or know which type of spring you’re dealing with.

A professional can tell whether the spring is fixable or if it needs to be replaced. Fixing a spring yourself that’s beyond repair can result in further damage down the road as well as injury if the door malfunctions.

Garage Door Springs are Wound Tight

There’s little room for error when it comes to replacing garage door springs. Not only can a misstep cause even more costly damage, but also injury.

In order to work, garage door springs are under a lot of tension. Even if they’re broken or stretched out, they still have built-up pressure behind them.

Professionals know how to safely remove these springs. Without proper care and technique, you could get seriously hurt.

Tension can cause the springs to snap or rebound, damaging both your body and the door.

Other Hazards

Recoiling springs aren’t the only danger that exists when trying to perform DIY garage door repairs.

Homeowners are also at risk of cuts from rusted metal, falling garage doors, and activated openers.

Professionals have the knowledge and experience to safely replace a garage door spring and diagnose the problem. Understanding the mechanics of how garage doors work will also prevent injury and ensure the job’s done right.

Many professionals have not only repaired but installed garage doors numerous times, giving them first-hand experience working with garage door spring assemblies.

The Problem May be Bigger Than You Think

When a garage door spring is broken, chances are there are other components that also need  to be replaced due to wear. A professional can evaluate your system and determine if additional parts need replacing. Not only that, but once they diagnose the issue they’re already on-hand to perform the necessary repairs.

There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a DIY project only to discover it’s more involved than you first realized. Now, your left with a garage door that doesn’t function and nowhere to park your vehicle.

Why Replace a Garage Door Spring Yourself When We Can Help?

Do you suspect that your garage door spring is broken or in disrepair? Is your garage door failing to stay open or close properly?

Don’t sweat it!

The professionals at Hunters Creek Garage Door Repair are more than happy to help.

While fixing a broken spring might sound easy enough, garage door mechanics are actually more complicated than most people realize. With several types of springs and risk factors involved, it’s best to leave this project to the pros!

We’ll be happy to replace a garage door spring for you, fix faulty door openers, or even perform routine maintenance.

We also pride ourselves on old-fashioned, one-on-one customer service. Get in touch today and let us diagnose your issue.