Why Fixing Your Garage Door Shouldn’t Be a DIY Project

If you're the type of person who prefers to do things yourself and save money, you might be tempted to fix your garage door on your own. After all, it seems like a simple task—just a few parts and some basic tools, right? But there's one job that's best left to professionals: fixing your garage door.

Why It’s So Dangerous to Attempt a Garage Door Repair Yourself

Your garage door is one of the largest and heaviest components of your home. Many people don't realize just how much weight these doors actually have. When combined with their size, this makes them a serious safety risk if not handled properly.

The main reason garage doors are so dangerous to work on is the torsion springs that help manage their weight. These springs are carefully calibrated during installation to make the door easier to open and close. That's why many people think their garage door is lighter than it actually is. In reality, the spring does most of the work, making it seem manageable.

If you're experiencing issues with your garage door, such as it not opening or closing smoothly, the problem is likely related to the torsion springs. A broken or unbalanced spring can cause the door to become extremely heavy and unpredictable, which poses a real danger.

Replacing or adjusting torsion springs is not a simple task. Each garage door has specific requirements, and using the wrong spring or improper balancing can lead to further damage or even injury. If you have a double-door system and one spring breaks, it's recommended to replace both at the same time. Even if only one is damaged, the other is likely worn and could fail soon after.

When replacing two springs, they must be balanced correctly—not just for the door itself, but also with each other. This ensures the door opens and closes evenly without putting unnecessary stress on the mechanism.

Given the complexity and potential dangers involved, it's wise to leave garage door repairs to trained professionals. They have the right tools, experience, and knowledge to handle the job safely and efficiently. Trying to fix it yourself could result in serious injury or costly damage to your property.