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Garage Door Slingshot

By James Quarello

Home Inspector with JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC HOI 394

June 23, 2009 01:18 AM

Garage doors are one of the most potentially dangerous items in a home. Even more so when an automatic opener is installed.

A common component in all garage doors is the counter balance spring. Just like in a window this very large spring helps offset the weight of the door so it can be easily lifted. And like anything mechanical it will wear with use and eventually fail.

When a spring of this size breaks an immense amount of stored energy is suddenly released. The energy which was controlled is now let loose. The spring will flay wildly about like an un-tethered cobra and strike anyone or anything within its reach. Serious injuries can occur to any individual unlucky enough to be within striking distance.

To prevent an injury or damage a simple solution has been devised. A steel cable is inserted through the center of the spring (red line in photo) and anchored on each end. Now if the spring breaks it rides the cable and stays put.

One exception is some garage doors have a horizontal spring run over the top of the door opening. In this instance you won't see or need a cable.

This is a simple thing for anyone to check. Take a look at the springs over head, if there are no cables then you have a potential injury waiting to happen.

James Quarello
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

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Steven L. Smith

King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Mr James,

You an I both have another thing in common. We are both afraid of being shot with slingshots.

Nutsy

Jun 23, 2009 01:56 AM

Charles Buell

Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA

Seattle Home Inspector

James, I am so glad that most newer openers have the springs around the rod at the head of the door. Pretty rare to find the wire installed on the side mount type----but SO recommended.

Jun 23, 2009 02:00 AM

Bill Ladewig

LoanOfficerSchool.com - Escondido, CA

Experience Is Your Advantage

Good tip, thanks. I am on my way to the garage to check my springs.

Jun 23, 2009 02:14 AM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Nutsy, Having no doubt been shot numerous times, your fear is understandable.

Charlie, I see the wire installed the majority of the time. Here most newer doors are either style of spring.

Bill, Good luck, hope you springs are wired.

Jun 23, 2009 05:12 AM

Team Honeycutt

Allen Tate - Concord, NC

Thank you so much for the info. Who knew. I would never have dreamed of a simple fix like that or even that there was a danger.

Shelton

Jun 23, 2009 06:28 AM

Shelton, Most be do not realize there is a danger or a very simple solution. Glad you learned something.

Jun 23, 2009 09:06 AM

Matt Listro

National Credit Fixers - Matt Listro - Vernon, CT

Your Credit Repair Expert

Hi James: I have seen that cable inside the spring many times but I never realized what it was for.

Jun 23, 2009 02:33 PM

Matt, It's great that now you do. Happy you learned something new.

Jun 24, 2009 12:07 AM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

But the door company put it in like that! I get that all the time. Good info James.

Jun 24, 2009 09:09 AM

Jack, Don't we all. I call that kid logic. I had a homeowner use that same reasoning on me for everything wrong in the house. The guy wouldn't leave me alone.

Jun 24, 2009 09:13 AM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Some they gots 'em and some they don'ts.

Jun 25, 2009 01:22 PM

Thems that don't should and those that do don't.

Jun 25, 2009 11:50 PM

Reuben Saltzman

Structure Tech Home Inspections - Minneapolis, MN

Delivering the Unbiased Truth.

I've never personally seen one break, but a customer of mine recently told me about a spring that broke while he was in his garage. He said the spring would have taken his head off if he had been in it's path.

Jun 27, 2009 03:35 PM

Reuben, I have never seen one break either, but have heard similar stories. The cable is worth the time, money and effort.

Jun 27, 2009 10:30 PM

Dana Bostick

True Professionals, Inc. - North Hollywood, CA

Yep, those springs break all the time. I personally had to replace mine 4 times in the 14 years I lived in my condo. Luckily, I was never in the garage when they cut loose. They all had the safety cables in them in any case.

Even with the cable, the doors can still slam down when they break, damaging things including the door itself or injuring someone. It's something I look for on every inspection.

Jun 28, 2009 04:24 AM

Dana, You bring up a good point, the door coming down hard when one of the springs let go.

Jun 28, 2009 11:09 AM

Garage Door Slingshot

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