Garage door springs are the mechanisms that open the garage doors. There are two kinds: extension springs and torsion springs, with the latter being the most dangerous ones.

Sectional and One-piece tilt up doors come also come with garage door extension springs. Such doors usually weigh less. The extension spring is stretched from the top of the garage door to the back of the upper tracks. Although there’s a little danger involved, but extension springs are still safer to handle if you’re used to fixing things around the house yourself.

On the other hand, heavier doors like sectional doors use torsion springs. Installing torsion springs necessarily requires professional help, because handling them yourself can lead to serious injuries. In some cases, even deaths have been reported. For every door, two torsion springs need to be installed on each side.

Some people produce tutorials on how to install torsion garage door springs, others say that it is as easy as fixing a car. However, you should remember that a regular door weighs 300-400 pounds, and these springs are capable of lifting this heavy door easily. Only try to imagine the power secluded in these springs, and the danger of them hitting you, especially in the head.

When in operation, remember to always keep away from the garage door. In this safety concern, one should especially be more wary of little children who tend to get playful. All buttons used to operate the door should be installed in a place where it is out of the reach of children. This tip can greatly help prevent any possible mishap that might lead to serious loss of life or property, caused by the door or any of the springs installed.

Garage door springs often become damaged with time. It is very important to carry out regular checks on the condition on your springs. Usually, whenever one spring needs repair, the other one is likely to get damaged soon too. Therefore, it is better to replace both springs together.

Installing or repairing your springs will cost anywhere from $75 to $350, so be sure to shop around to get the best deal.

The springs have the most tension when the door is closed. That’s actually a good thing, since if the closed door will fail to open due to the failure of the garage springs, the door will not hurt anyone. If the garage spring broke, while the door was open, the door could fall on a person, a car or the garage floor.

The life-span depends on the quality of the spring, as well as on the amount of usage, on the maintenance, as well as whether this garage spring fits the size, height and weight of the door.

Garage door springs are very powerful mechanisms. To ensure good safety, garage doors require regular maintenance and periodic inspection. In order to prevent any accidents, door springs must always be checked and replaced promptly.