3 Ways To Prevent Injuries From Broken Garage Door Springs While Waiting For A Technician

Torsion springs for the garage typically have a life expectancy between 15,000 to 20,000 cycles, whereas tension springs have a life expectancy between 5,000 to 10,000 cycles. At some point, the springs will stop functioning properly and need to be replaced. Never repair or even touch broken garage door springs, as the springs contain a lot of potential energy and can snap at any moment and cause serious injuries. While waiting for a technician to come, here are 3 ways you can prevent the springs from becoming a hazard.

Put a Sign Outside and In the Garage

If you're not going to be at home at all times to monitor the garage door until the technician arrives, you definitely want to make sure that other people in your household are well aware that the garage door springs are broken. It is especially not easy for young children to spot the problem. Alert everyone of the issue by putting up a sign not only inside the garage – preferably on the door to the garage – but also outside as well.

Make sure you clearly state the dangers of touching or even inspecting the garage door springs. Not everyone knows how hazardous broken garage door springs can be.

Disable the Garage Door Opener

If the springs aren't functioning properly, there's a good chance that they won't open the garage door anyways. Constantly trying to open the garage door with a remote won't do anything but put more pressure and strain on the garage door springs. This will further encourage the springs to snap.

To prevent the garage door springs from getting disturbed by family members returning home who don't know better, disable the garage door opener. Find and pull on the manual release handle to disengage the garage door trolley from the railing.

Educate Your Children

Broken garage door springs can actually be a great opportunity for you to teach your children the dangers and hazards associated with garage doors. You can even use this opportunity to teach your children about potential energy and stored energy.

You can show your children what potential energy is using an elastic band. Stretch the elastic band to show how potential energy is stored within the band, and release it to show how potential energy can transform into other types of energy. Relate this concept to the energy stored within the springs of the garage door.

Conclusion

A licensed technician will be able to properly handle and replace the garage door springs without causing them to snap or become a safety hazard. If possible, stay by the garage until a technician arrives to ensure that the garage door springs won't become a safety hazard to anyone in your family. Contact a company like Shank Door for more information.