Attempting to repair your garage door yourself with minimal industry experience can cause damage to any items inside the garage if the door breaks during the repair. More damage can only lead to one thing — more money spent on repairs.

If you reverse your car into your garage door, it’s best to contact a professional. A professional can assess the damage and determine whether you need repairs. If your door has a dent in it, you could need a total garage door replacement, depending on the extent of the damage.

Most garage door springs are designed to open and close 10,000 cycles or between 7 to 10 years. This will vary depending on which type of spring system you have and how well they are maintained.

Raise the door high enough that you can get the separated area back into the track. Clamp a pair of locking pliers just below the bottom to keep the door in place. Set a ladder under the middle of the door for extra safety. Open the separated track with a pair of pliers and guide the rollers back onto the track.

While a garage door can technically function without springs, it is not advisable. Springs are essential for the safe and efficient operation of the door.

Some common reasons rollers fall off the tracks include: Damaged tracks: Bent or damaged tracks can force rollers out of alignment. Loose tracks: The vibration of your door can loosen the bolts that hold the tracks in place. Force and impacts: If you hit your garage door with your car, you could send rollers off-track.

Replacing garage door springs takes 30 minutes to 1 hour. New garage door springs last 7 to 14 years, or between 10,000 and 20,000 up-and-down cycles. It is important to hire a professional to help, because changing a garage door spring can be dangerous.