The web is full of sites that tell you how to do your own garage door repair. This article is all about replacing torsion springs, and the reasons why it’s best left to a professional.
Replacing torsion springs is a bit of work that needs to be done every so often. There are lots of websites that tell you how to do it by yourself. However, torsion springs are extremely dangerous and, unless you are VERY prepared with the right tools and experience, Garage Door Repair Videos and unless you pay the strictest attention while changing them, you could lose fingers, limbs or even your life. Instead of trying to do it yourself, it is highly recommended that you hire a garage door repair professional to do the job for you.
What Are Torsion Springs
Torsion springs are an essential part of your garage door. These are metal springs that are the key element in the balance system that opens and closes it. These doors weigh hundreds of pounds; even the lightest may weigh as much as 100 pounds. When the torsion springs are fully coiled, the doors are open; when the doors are straight, the springs are stretched out straight.
In both positions, these springs are under lots of tension. They are also very heavy. From time to time, they need to be replaced. If they wear down and break while it is in use, it can be very dangerous for anyone standing nearby.
Torsion Springs Are Extremely Dangerous
In order to lift something so heavy, these springs are under a tremendous amount of tension. If these heavy springs snap, all of that tension translates into a heavy piece of metal flying out of control and striking whatever’s in its path with a serious amount of force. They have been known to cause serious injury, loss of limbs and appendages, and in some cases death.
There are a couple of things that could happen while they’re being replaced that would seriously endanger the person replacing them. To take them off, they must first be unwound. During this unwinding, it’s possible for them to break, especially if the winding bar isn’t exactly the right size. What happens then is that the spring may whip around. Even garage door repair professionals occasionally get hit with springs and sustain serious injuries like lost fingers.
The cone is the weight bearing part that holds the whole system together. During replacement, cones sometimes slip or explode because of the tension. Bits of it go flying, tearing clothes or ripping flesh that’s in their path. If your head is in the way, the damage can be fatal.
Some people risk injury and change their own torsion springs, but it’s essential to have the proper tools. Improvising with something that’s close won’t do. Your winding bars and vise grips need to be exactly Raynor Garage Door Paint the right size to match your torsion springs. This garage door repair job requires a number of tools such as winding bars, vise grips, an adjustable wrench, a very firm ladder, socket wrench, rag and ruler.
You can change your own torsion springs, and many people do in spite of the risk of injury or death. But for everyone except the handiest of folks, it’s probably a better idea to call garage door repair professionals who have the tools and experience necessary to do it right.
