Why DIY Garage Door Repairs Can Be Dangerous. And Why a Handyman Isn’t the Answer Either
Why DIY Garage Door Repairs Can Be Dangerous. And Why a Handyman Isn’t the Answer Either. Garage doors are the largest, heaviest moving object in most homes. In Las Vegas, they’re also under more stress: 115°F heat weakens springs, dust chews up bearings, and wind-load codes mean parts are heavier than in other states. That combo makes garage doors one of the worst DIY projects you can attempt. And one of the riskiest jobs to hand off to a general handyman. Here’s why. 1. Springs Kill People. That’s Not an Exaggeration. A standard 16x7 insulated door weighs 250-350 lbs. It doesn’t feel that heavy because torsion springs are counterbalancing almost all of it. Those springs are wound to 7-9 full turns, storing 1,000+ lbs of torque. DIY danger: If a winding bar slips or you use a screwdriver instead of the right bars, the spring unwinds in 0.2 seconds. It can break bones, remove fingers, or cause head trauma. ER doctors in Las Vegas see it every year. YouTube makes it look controlled....