5 Things to Know Before Replacing Your Garage Door Springs

Life is harder when the garage door does not work properly and garage door spring repair is no simple task. Over time the garage door springs will wear out, and when replacing them, safety and caution needs to be in the fore thought of your considerations. When considering how to replace garage door springs, it is important to know that premature breakage can happen when garage door springs are not properly installed. 

1. Try to Avoid Dangerous DIY Garage Door Spring Replacement

Professional knowledge and experience are required for safe and proper garage door spring replacements. Consider the tremendous amount of energy it takes to move a heavy garage door up and down. A false move can easily cause broken springs to fly, worn cables to snap, and heavy garage doors to slam down. There are also many moving parts to a garage door opener and they are interconnected to each other. While finding and addressing one area that is a problem, you may not be aware of another area that is the actual cause of the problem. Extra caution is needed when working with damaged, worn or rusted springs and cables because they can break when you are working with them. 

There are two different categories of garage door spring replacements: extension springs and torsion springs. Of the two, extension springs are the most dangerous. When extension springs fail, they will break and fly in two different directions. If you have ever seen broken extension springs embedded in a garage wall, you will have a vivid picture of how dangerous garage spring replacement is. For this reason, many homeowners may opt for converting to a torsion spring system. And while torsion springs are less dangerous, they can still break and cause injury. 

As an accomplished handyman, you may be able to handle some garage door maintenance, but when it comes to garage door spring replacements hire a trusted professional to get the job done safely. Yes, you can find many YouTube videos that make the process of replacing a garage door spring look doable, but the risk of serious injury is simply not worth it. Instead, watch a few YouTube videos demonstrating the dangers of garage door spring replacement, and you WILL be convinced. 

2. Make Sure You Work with a Reputable Garage Door Company

When you need a garage door spring replacement, make sure you work with a reputable garage door company. There are counterfeit garage door companies out there ready to scam homeowners. These unscrupulous companies will use names that bring legitimate companies to your mind. To avoid scams from bogus companies who overcharge for garage door springs and can leave a job undone, make sure you: 

• Know where they are located
• Don’t use their service if they show up in an unmarked van or truck. 
• Check for reviews on sites such as Facebook or Google. 

When contacting a garage door company, verify the information they give you before you use them. A local garage door company will be dedicated to their reputation by providing exceptional customer service for repeat business and recommendations. A local garage door company will also be the most available for service and to resolve and any problems. 

3. Learn What Type of Garage Door Spring You Will Need

Next you should know if you need a torsion spring replacement or an extension spring replacement after finding a reputable garage door company. Torsion springs are placed on the header of the garage door opening while extension springs are located on a horizontal track on the ceiling. An extension spring will counterbalance the weight of the door, while a torsion spring will be wound around a pipe or a shaft attached to the door with cable drums to create the necessary torque for counterbalancing. If you need help identifying what type of garage door springs you have, feel free to contact Door Systems at 816-524-8535 for advice. We are a local garage door repair company serving the Kansas City area with excellent garage door spring replacements. With a full line of garage door spring replacement parts, we are sure to have what you need. 

4. Get a Quote to Know How Much Your Garage Door Spring Will Cost

Knowing which type of garage door spring you need, will help you communicate effectively when researching the cost for garage door spring replacement parts – which you should do. Just mention torsion spring or extension garage door springs and the customer service rep will know what you are talking about. Also remember to ask about installation fees. 

 5. If You Decide to Replace Your Own Garage Door Spring, Make Sure Someone is Present

After learning about the dangers of garage door spring replacements and how premature breakage can happen when garage door springs are not installed properly - if you still think you MUST replace garage door springs yourself, at least make sure someone is present with you. Even with a torsion spring replacement, which is less dangerous than extension springs, someone should be with you for the entire time. 

Contact Your #1 Local Garage Door Company in Lee's Summit! 

At Door Systems (a local garage door repair company) we will save you time and money on any type of garage door spring replacement you need. With a full line of garage door spring replacement parts and experts to correctly and safely install them, you are guaranteed to get what you need with excellent customer service. After checking reviews, receiving recommendations from our local customers, and experiencing our customer service for yourself, you will know how we became the best garage door company in Lee’s Summit. Call us today for a free estimate at 816-524-8535.