Is It Safe to Replace a Garage Door Spring Myself?
Garage door springs store enormous energy. We respect homeowners who want to DIY — and we want you to understand exactly what's at stake before you try.
Extension Springs (Lower Risk)
If your door has springs running parallel to the tracks above the door (one each side), these are extension springs. With safety cables installed and the door fully open (springs unloaded), replacement is reasonable for an experienced DIYer.
Torsion Springs (High Risk)
If your spring runs horizontally above the door on a metal shaft, that's a torsion spring. It stores 200+ ft-lbs of torque. Without proper winding bars (NOT screwdrivers — every year people lose fingers using screwdrivers), the spring can spin free and break a wrist, jaw, or eye socket.
What the ER Sees
Emergency rooms see hundreds of torsion-spring DIY injuries every year — broken hands, lacerations, lost teeth. The cost of a professional ($189–$269) is less than your ER copay.
When to Call a Pro
Always for torsion. For extension, if you have any doubt about safety cables or the door being fully unloaded, call a pro.
Extension: maybe. Torsion: never without proper winding bars and training.
Need help with this in Pittsboro, NC?
Our local team is available from 6:00am to 11:30pm daily across 27312 and Chatham County. We aim to respond promptly.