If you have a house, you surely know how much effort, time, and money it requires to maintain it. This includes all sorts of jobs – from a bulb replacement to roof repairs. However, today we are going to focus on a common garage repair. In particular, we are going to help you with the garage door spring replacement.
A garage has many applications. Primarily, it is a safe place for your car, motorcycle, or bicycle. If you like to do small or big repairs in your house, you will probably keep some tools in the garage, too. Some people use it as a storage area for old kid’s toys, winter sports equipment, and similar. Since the garage is such an important space, having a garage door that is dysfunctional can be inconvenient. Surely many of you are wondering how difficult it is to replace the spring on a garage door. This depends on many different factors, but we will provide you with some useful information.
A few words about the existing garage door mechanisms. There are two types of spring systems and the first one is the torsion spring system. Here a single coiled spring positioned parallel to the door serves to counter the weight of the door. The second one the extension spring system. It contains two springs, one on either side of the door placed parallel to the overhead door tracks, doing the work.
In general, the springs are inclusive parts of the door system and not part of the automatic garage door opener. So how much does it cost do replace those springs? It depends. The cost ranges from about USD 50 in case you decide to do the work by yourself, up to USD 400 if you decide to hire a professional.
Both, torsion, and extension springs are kept under significant pressure to be able to move the door upwards when you want to open it. If the pressure weakens over time, the door can close abruptly causing some damage. Even worse, such a door represents a threat for the safety of the household.
What are the first signs that the springs are weak? It’s simple. If you lift them by hand, you will feel that they are much harder to lift than usual. And if you do it with the remote, you will notice that it all goes slower than usual, or the engine will even stop during the process.
As a rule of thumb, the springs should be replaced every 20 to 30 years. We mentioned above that you can replace springs by yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. We will now consider both of these options.
DIY project
Both types of springs we discussed are sold at affordable prices, from USD 50 to USD 100 per pair. As for the cost of the process itself, well we are not quite sure though. There are several factors that should be included when determining the price. We have listed the price of the springs, and to make sure you are buying the right ones, you can take the old ones with you to the store.
Naturally, you will need appropriate tools. These include clamp that holds the door while you change springs and some safety equipment such as goggles and gloves. In addition to a little money and tools, it is necessary to have enough knowledge about the very principle of the replacement, so that you do not get seriously injured.
The springs are mounted under a significant pressure and the garage door is normally quite heavy, so keep this in mind.
Be sure to read the replacement instructions before you begin. When removing the door, you may need someone’s help. The spring replacement can be time-consuming, sometimes taking a whole weekend, so think about how much you value your time.
Professional spring replacement
The cost of hiring a professional also depends on several factors. From the type of a garage and a door you have, to the sort of a spring that you want to be replaced, your location, and finally, the reputation of the company you want to hire. In any scenario, the usual cost ranges from USD 200 to USD 400. An important factor which can inform the price is the competition among companies in the area you live.
The more companies offering such services, the cheaper the replacement itself will be. Also, keep in mind that the garage door springs are always sold in pairs, so if you experience issues with only one of them, you will have to replace them both. Before you decide on a company, it would be good to ask your neighbors and friends for recommendations.
To get a better idea about what kind of services a reputable company has to offer in this regard, visit www.calgarygaragedoorrepair.ca. Even if you don’t know someone who has just replaced the springs on the garage door, be sure to contact a few of companies to compare their fees. Some companies will charge less, but they will also offer poorer quality springs. Before installation, make sure you ask about the warranty period and the expected longevity of the springs.
The longevity of springs is not calculated in years, as many people think, but in cycles. What does it mean? This means that only the number of raising and lowering the door is considered. Cheaper springs, for example, can last 10,000 cycles. To put it in a perspective, if you open and close the door about 4 times a day, the springs will serve their purpose well for around 6 years before they break down.
Both replacing options may work well but consider the first one only if you really have some repairing experience and skills. If you find this option challenging and you have money to pay the company to do it for you, even better!
Hiring a company with good reputation and long experience can save you from all the possible challenges of the DIY option. Finally, it is important to be realistic and rational with all the possibilities and challenges for the job to be done well. Good luck!
