How to Rewind a Garage Door Spring Without Risking Your Safety
Published Date: Oct 3, 2025
A garage door that suddenly stops working can throw a wrench into your day, whether it’s trapping your car or just refusing to open. Often, the root of this problem lies with its springs. These strong springs carry the door’s big weight, making it feel light enough to open easily. However, when they get old or lose their strength, the door can become unsafe. While you might wonder how to rewind a garage door spring yourself, this job involves real danger. This article from Up & Down Garage Doors explains the risks involved in DIY and why getting professional help means both safety and long-lasting performance.
When Do Garage Door Springs Need Rewinding?
Garage door springs are designed to balance the door’s weight, making it easy to open and close. Over time, these springs can lose some of their tension, or the tension can become uneven. Over time, they can lose tension or become uneven. When this happens, your garage door may not work safely, signaling a need to rewind a garage door spring. Here are common signs:
- Door Is Hard to Lift: If your garage door feels unusually heavy to open by hand, or your opener struggles, springs have lost tension.
- Door Moves Unevenly: If one side moves faster or the door looks crooked, spring tension is unbalanced.
- Door Closes Too Quickly: A door that drops or slams shut means springs aren’t providing enough resistance.
- Door Doesn’t Stay Open: If your garage door drifts down after being opened, springs lack the power to hold it.
Why Fixing Garage Door Springs Yourself Is Dangerous
It’s easy to watch an online video and think you can handle a garage door spring problem yourself, especially when searching for how to wind garage door springs. Still, you should know this is one of the most dangerous home or business projects. These springs are under a lot of tension – they can push with hundreds of pounds of force. If this energy is released without control, the spring can snap back with great force, causing serious injuries like broken bones or lost fingers.
Trying to rewind a garage door spring without the right tools and training can lead to:
- Serious Injury: The biggest danger is getting badly hurt from a spring that breaks or unwinds fast.
- Property Damage: An uncontrolled spring can cause significant damage to the garage door, opener, or nearby cars.
- Improper Function: Incorrect winding leads to an unbalanced door, making other parts wear out faster. Knowing which way to wind a garage door spring is just one small part of a big, risky job.
- Voided Warranties: Many manufacturers cancel warranties if untrained individuals attempt repairs.
This danger is even greater when dealing with complex systems, especially when you need to understand how to wind a double-spring garage door, which requires more force and precise work.
Expert Insights: Which Way to Wind Garage Door Springs
When garage door springs need attention, trusting Up & Down Garage Doors is the safest and best way to go. Our certified technicians have years of experience and special tools, ensuring your garage door is fixed correctly and safely. Our process includes:
- Full Check-Up: We inspect your entire garage door system to find the exact spring problem and any other wear.
- Careful and Safe Work: Our technicians use standard winding bars and follow strict safety rules. They understand how to wind garage door springs properly and know exactly how many turns on a garage door spring are needed for optimal balance and function.
- Complete Testing: After spring work, we thoroughly test the door’s balance, smooth movement, and safety features.
- System Care: We oil all moving parts and offer advice on maintaining your garage door system to extend its lifespan.
Up & Down Garage Doors: Expert Service for Your Garage Door Springs
At Up & Down Garage Doors, we aim to give clear information, expert service, and long-lasting results for homeowners, business owners, and property managers. Our expertise ensures your garage door works safely and reliably for years to come. Don’t put yourself or your property at risk by trying to fix strong garage door springs on your own. Our skilled technicians are ready to give a full check-up, exact adjustment, or complete garage door spring repair & replacement. Contact us today to set up your service and make sure your garage door is working safely.
