Garage Door Installation/Repair: Why You Should Never Do It Yourself

Interior of a Clean Garage — Northfield, IL — Raynor Door Company

In addition to saving money, taking on the right job on your own can be entertaining and provide a sense of accomplishment. However, some tasks are best left to the professionals, including garage door installation and repair.

The following are some reasons you should refrain from attempting a garage door project on your own.

You Risk Injury

Between a garage door’s weight and moving parts, there are many opportunities for injury to an untrained person installing the door. Depending on their material, garage doors can weigh between 100 and 500 pounds. And that doesn’t include the weight of insulation, which can increase the weight by an average of 30 pounds.

The two most common garage door repairs involve the springs and the cables. An incorrect installation could cause the door to come down at an inopportune moment. The fall may have devastating effects if an unsuspecting person is underneath.

The torsion springs are usually under high tension to keep the door off the ground. Garage door springs are dangerous because of the stored energy during stretch and compression. If a spring were to break, the velocity could cause severe or even fatal injuries to anyone doing repairs.

You Need Special Tools

To install or repair your garage door property, you need special tools. Technicians employ the right tools when repairing and installing garage doors. More often than not, you won’t find the specialized tools in your typical toolbox.

  • Locking pliers: Locking pliers are a specific garage spring repair tool that is a must-have if you want to repair your torsion springs safely.
  • Winding bars: These are another tool you may not have at home, yet they are one of the essential tools. Winding bars help keep the technician safe when repairing your door’s torsion spring.
  • Cordless drill: A drill is immensely important during garage door installation and also as a door repair tool. Any drill would work—however, a cordless drill helps one maneuver the tight spaces in a garage and eliminate needless accidents.

Tools are essential in door repairs and installations, but the safety of technicians is just, if not more important. Besides the tools, proper technicians have essential safety equipment. Helmets, gloves, and goggles are all essential for protection in case anything happens while working.

You’ll Void the Warranty

Most manufacturers include a warranty covering repairs and replacements when you purchase a garage door. The warranty coverage lasts within a specific period—typically around five years—if you hire a professional to install the product. Manufacturers intentionally nullify DIY installations because mistakes are fairly common.

Installing a garage door is a tall order, and if you are set on installing it yourself, ensure the manufacturers allow it before shipping the parts.

You Could End up Losing Money

Garage door installation or repair is a complicated process. DIYs are often a great way to save money, but garage door repair is not a time to DIY. Without the proper knowledge, you may cause more damage or get stuck in a loop of trial and error that drives up the costs in the long run.

Professionals pay a great deal of attention to pulling off a successful installation. A good install requires experience. That experience also helps technicians recognize other problems that might otherwise not catch your untrained eye.

However handy you may be, you should always seek professional help if you need garage door services.

Here at Raynor Door Company, we take pride in the quality and safety measures our experts employ to ensure a quality job every time.

Don’t hesitate to contact us when you are ready to start your garage door project.

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