Are Broken Garage Doors Dangerous? Ask Our Apex Garage Door Repair Company

Are Broken Garage Doors Dangerous? Ask Our Apex Garage Door Repair Company

A broken garage door isn’t just an irritant—it’s also a safety hazard. According the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 20,000 garage door accidents occur every year, the majority of them involving children. Below, learn more about the hazards of a broken garage door, and why it’s a good idea to invest in garage door repairs and regular maintenance.

Why Do Garage Doors Break?

A garage door is extremely heavy. Depending on the door’s thickness, size (single or double), and amount of windows, it can weigh anywhere from 130 to 400 pounds. Any time your garage door is up, springs are holding it there. The spring components are constant pressure while the door is up, and if they suddenly give out due to age or poor installation, the door will slam down and harm anyone (or anything) standing in the way. Regardless of whether or not the springs break, they will inevitably lose their strength and effectiveness over time.

The Danger of Torsion Springs 

Although most garage door accidents happen due to a falling door, the worst accidents usually happen to people installing, repairing, or replacing them. Torsion springs are extremely dangerous when handled by the inexperienced. If you forget to loosen the old springs before exchanging them with the new ones, or loosen them incorrectly, it can result in extreme injury as the spring whips your tools out of your hands. Many inexperienced installers try to adjust the springs with screw driver shafts that aren’t deep enough, causing the springs (and tools) to break and go flying like high-powered darts. That’s why we highly recommend hiring a professional garage door repair company rather than tackling it yourself.

Garage Door Safety Tips

There have been significant safety advances in garage door springs over the last few decades. The torsion springs being installed with today’s doors are much safer than previous models which were installed along the side walls. And all garage door openers are equipped with “safety eye” sensors that prevent the door from closing on a person or object. Finally, a steel safety cable can be installed to run through the spring and keep it in place even if it breaks. They are about $20, a great investment if you’re concerned about garage door safety.

Stay Safe With Apex Garage Door Repairs

Hopefully, this article has convinced you that it’s never a good idea to put off garage door repairs! Replacing worn-out springs is much less expensive than replacing your car or the door itself, not to mention the hospital bills that will result if someone is injured. If you need a garage door repair, replacement, or installation, call our garage door repair company as soon as possible.

By |November 8th, 2022|Broken Extension Springs, Broken Torsion Springs, Garage Door Repair, Garage Door Safety|Comments Off on Are Broken Garage Doors Dangerous? Ask Our Apex Garage Door Repair Company

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