When your garage door suddenly stops working, the culprit is often the springs or cables, the most common parts to fail in a garage door system. These springs and cables do the heavy lifting, quite literally, by counterbalancing the weight of the door so it can open and close smoothly. Over time, the constant tension and use wear them down until one day, with a loud snap, the spring or cable breaks. At that moment, most homeowners find themselves asking: Can I repair the garage door myself, or should I call a professional?
It’s a fair question. DIY videos make spring and cable repair look straightforward, but garage doors are complex, high-tension systems. One wrong move can lead to serious damage or injury. Let’s explore both sides of the debate and explain why, in most cases, spring and cable repairs should always be left to the professionals.
The Danger Behind DIY Garage Door Spring & Cable Repairs
At first glance, a garage door spring or cable may not seem particularly dangerous. However, these parts are under extreme tension, and when a spring snaps or a cable frays, that built-up tension can release in an instant, turning your garage door into a serious safety hazard.
Take a closer look at what you risk with DIY garage door spring repairs:
Injury and Property Damage
The torsion springs above your garage door are wound tightly to lift the door’s weight. If you attempt to replace or adjust them without the proper tools or training, they can whip out with tremendous force, causing severe injury or even property damage. The same goes for cables that can recoil at high speeds when they break.
Missing Other Issues
Replacing a spring or cable isn’t always a one-step repair. Often, when these components fail, they cause (or were caused by) secondary issues, such as bent tracks, misaligned rollers, or damaged bearings. A professional technician can identify and address these underlying problems to ensure the door operates safely and efficiently long after the repair.
Causing Further Problems
Garage door professionals use tools like winding bars, torque wrenches, and tension gauges designed specifically for safe repairs. Without these, even a simple adjustment becomes a risky gamble, as improvising with basic hand tools can make the situation much worse.
Why You Should Leave Garage Door Spring and Cable Repairs to the Pros
While the thought of saving a few dollars on a DIY repair might be tempting, the risks and long-term costs often outweigh the short-term savings. Here’s why investing in professional garage door spring and cable repairs is the smarter (and safer) decision.
Safety Comes First
Garage doors weigh anywhere from 150 to 300 pounds. Professionals know how to handle that kind of weight and the tension that comes with it. They’re trained to follow strict safety procedures to prevent injuries and ensure every repair meets industry standards.
Experience Means Accuracy
Garage door technicians deal with every make and model of garage door imaginable and know how to select the right spring size, set the correct tension, and adjust the cables to balance the door perfectly. By keeping the door balanced and installing its individual components correctly, these professionals help you minimize wear on different parts and protect your opener from unnecessary strain and premature failure.
High-Quality Parts and Warranty Coverage
When you hire a professional garage door company, you get high-quality, manufacturer-approved parts that match your system’s specifications. Many professionals also provide warranties on parts and labor, giving you peace of mind that your repair will last. DIY spring repairs, on the other hand, typically void existing warranties and leave you unprotected if something goes wrong.
Saves You Time
A professional repair usually takes about an hour or two. A do-it-yourself attempt can stretch into an entire weekend (assuming nothing goes wrong). Plus, if the repair fails, you’ll end up calling a professional anyway, often paying more to fix the mistakes.
So, Can You Repair Garage Door Springs Yourself?
Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. Garage door spring and cable repair isn’t like changing a lightbulb or tightening a loose hinge. These components are integral to your garage door’s safety and performance, and mishandling them can result in serious harm or costly damage.
At DoorTek, we handle garage door spring and cable repairs in Lynchburg, VA, with care so that you don’t have to worry about a single thing. Our experienced technicians have the right tools, training, and replacement parts to restore your garage door’s function without delay.
If your system isn’t performing correctly, contact us today to schedule your garage door repair. We’ll be there right away to deliver lasting results.
