We’ve talked before on the blog about certain garage door repairs that are dangerous to do on your own. Of course, we are all for doing things yourself and saving money, but not at the risk of hurting yourself. There are some garage door repairs that need to be handled by our team. Here are 2 garage door repairs you shouldn’t do on your own:
1. New Garage Door Installation
Installing a new garage door is the very last DIY project you would want to tackle. The sheer weight of the door alone should keep you from doing it. That is, of course, if the complex system of cables, springs and other moving and automatic parts hasn’t already.
Garage door installation is dangerous, and without the proper training, you could seriously injure yourself. Also, you could cause additional damage to your property.
To properly install a door you need:
- Industry training
- Specialized tools
- Knowledge of different manufacturers and their individual product specifications
If you don’t know what you are doing you could end up putting yourself at risk. If you install your door on your own, it will no longer be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Leave your tools inside the garage and call a professional in to ensure your garage door is installed safely and to manufacturer specifications.
2. Spring Replacement
Springs play a huge role in the opening and closing of your garage door. Whether your door is situated with extension springs or torsion springs, they wind and unwind in order to push the door closed and pull it open. Most springs have a lifespan of 3 to 7 years or 10,000 to 15,000 open-close cycles.
Many factors determine the longevity of your springs and some may cause them to fail prematurely. Some keys factors that cause spring failure include:
- Additional weight placed on the door. If you have added additional windows or insulation this could cause more weight than the springs are built to handle. Even too many coats of paint can add weight and cause stress on the springs over time.
- Elemental exposure could lead to corrosion and rust. Areas with high humidity or a high salt content in the air could eventually cause these issues. Extreme weather conditions such as freezing temperatures could also lead to failure or problems with your springs.
- Failure to adequately maintain your door and it’s parts. Ensuring the moving parts are well lubricated and the bolts are tightened could lead to a longer lifespan.
It’s Not Worth Cutting Corners
Your garage door is the most used piece of equipment in your home so spring replacement is inevitable. When it’s time to replace yours be sure to call a professional. If you attempt the repairs yourself you could cause injury to your family or damage to your home.
Untrained DIYers often come face to face with these issues when attempting spring replacement:
- The spring unexpectedly releases during removal, often hurling towards an individual or property. This could cause serious harm to yourself or a loved one.
- The lower bracket often falls off.
- Falls often happen when the spring releases. This release often propels the person off of the ladder used to gain access to the springs needing to be replaced.
Do not attempt these repairs on your own. Replacing your springs can be dangerous and could lead to the need for additional repairs. Make the safe choice and allow a trained technician make your garage door repairs.
Contact Us Today
If either of these types of repairs needs to be done in your home, contact us right away. We have a team that is available 24/7 to take care of your repairs. Our team can’t wait to help you.
