Garage Door Spring Installation Risks

What is the heaviest moving piece of your home? The garage door, which weights from three hundred to three hundred and fifty pounds is the answer to this question. You may think, it does not seem that heavy when I open the door, and that is due to the heavy duty springs that assist you in opening your garage door. These springs normally last about seven thousand opens of the door. That works out to about seven years before the spring breaks. When the spring breaks, you consider trying to replace it yourself, but you should first do your research concerning the dangers of garage door spring installation.

Since your garage door weights form three hundred to three hundred and fifty pounds, you can see the amount of tension on these springs. When a spring breaks, it may cause significant harm to property as well as persons.

Removing a garage door spring presents the same danger as a broken spring. When one end is loosened, the spring can become a lethal projectile if it slips from the tool you are using.

When installing the new spring, you can also have the same problems. The lose spring can become a projectile and cause injury to you or to others. Additionally, beware if fingers becoming caught in the spring. It can cause significant pinches or even removal of the digit.

If the door is open when the spring is removed or breaks, you suddenly have over three hundred pounds of garage door that is no longer supported. Unless you have already provided support in some other manner, the door can come crashing down. You should not rely on your garage door opener for the support, since it is designed to open the door with the springs assistance. If this heavy door comes crashing down, it can cause significant damage to property or bodily injury. Glass windows in the garage door complicate the matters even more.

Garage door spring installation is a job that should not be attempted by an amateur. The professional has both the tools and know how to replace the spring quickly, efficiently and economically.

When you compare the cost of buying the spring and the special tools necessary for installation, you may find the difference in cost between installing the spring yourself and having it professionally installed to be as little as fifty dollars. You may say, but I might have to replace those springs again in just a few years. This is true, but will you even be able to find that tool when time comes for garage door spring replacement again.

Since this replacement is a dangerous task, you should make sure that your garage door spring installation contractor is licensed, insured and bonded. If any damage is incurred or person is injured (including the contractor) then you should not be held liable. Replacement of the garage door springs is a job that must be done every five to ten years, but the costs seem insignificant for the convince offered by a garage door that keeps your vehicle and valuables safe from the elements, vandalism and theft.