The Dangers of DIY Garage Door Spring Repair: A Denver Homeowner’s Warning

It often starts with a loud, sudden BANG from the garage. You find your garage door won’t open, and your car is trapped inside. A quick search online suggests a broken torsion spring, and you find a few videos that make the repair look straightforward. As a resourceful Denver homeowner, you’re used to tackling projects yourself. A trip to the hardware store, a few hours of work, and you’ll save some money. But when it comes to garage door springs, a DIY approach isn’t just a bad idea—it can be a life-altering mistake.

At Metro Denver Garage Door, our first priority is the safety of our community. We’ve seen the devastating consequences of failed DIY spring repairs, and we feel a responsibility to share this warning. Before you pick up a wrench, please understand the immense risks involved. This isn’t just about fixing a door; it’s about protecting your family and yourself from one of the most dangerous components in your home.

The Hidden Danger: Understanding Torsion Spring Force

A garage door can weigh anywhere from 150 to over 400 pounds. That immense weight is counterbalanced by one or two tightly wound torsion springs. These springs are under an incredible amount of tension, storing massive amounts of mechanical energy. When you close the door, the springs wind up, and when you open it, that stored energy is released to help lift the heavy door.

Think of it like a loaded mousetrap, but with hundreds of pounds of force. If that energy is released in an uncontrolled way, the results can be catastrophic. National studies report that garage door related incidents send as many as 20,000 people to the emergency room each year. A significant portion of these injuries are from high-tension springs snapping or dislodging during a repair attempt.

The Severe Consequences of a DIY Mistake

When a spring repair goes wrong, it happens in a split second. The force is unforgiving, and the injuries are often severe. Homeowners attempting these repairs have suffered from:

• Deep Lacerations and Broken Bones: If a winding bar slips or a spring breaks, it can whip around with incredible speed, causing severe cuts and fractures.

• Permanent Disability: There is the very real possibility of receiving blinding eye injuries from high-velocity springs dislodging during a DIY repair.

• Catastrophic Property Damage: An uncontrolled release of tension can send tools or spring fragments flying through drywall, car windshields, or other valuables.

• A Falling Door: If the springs are removed incorrectly, there is nothing holding the full weight of the garage door. It can slam shut with enough force to crush anything—or anyone—in its path.

These aren’t scare tactics; they are documented realities that professional technicians are trained to prevent. The unique challenges of Denver’s climate, with its dramatic temperature swings, can cause metal fatigue, making springs even more likely to fail unexpectedly during a repair.

Your Trusted Neighbor is Here to Help

As a family-owned business with over 40 years of experience serving the Denver community, we see our customers as neighbors. Our role as your local Denver garage door services provider is not just to offer repairs, but to ensure your home is safe and secure. This is the core of our caregiver promise: to protect your family as if it were our own.

Our technicians are not just skilled; they are highly trained in safety protocols. They have the specialized tools, the right replacement parts, and the expertise to safely and efficiently replace your broken springs. They are the heroes you can call when faced with a dangerous and stressful situation. They will diagnose the problem, explain the solution in a straightforward and honest way, and get your garage door operating safely again.

Don’t Risk It. Make the Safe Choice.

That loud bang from the garage is a clear signal that you need professional help. It’s a warning sign that a powerful and dangerous component has failed. Please, for the safety of you and your loved ones, do not attempt to repair or replace a broken garage door spring yourself.

Your safety is worth more than the few dollars you might save. Let our family help yours. If you’re in the Denver area and have a broken spring or any other garage door issue, call the trusted, experienced neighbors at Metro Denver Garage Door. We are here for you when you need us most.