[Sierratoo]

Laugh hard and get it over with.

I backed into my garage door and dented the panels.
It looks as though they need replacing as there is now a gap between the panels and the garage edge.
An electric door opener is installed.

Ok, guys, I barely know how to change a light bulb and I am on my own. And I am an old lady. So is this something I can possibly do myself? I am new to this city so I cannot even ask any friends....
Sierra

 

[Ron6519]

Laugh hard and get it over with.

I backed into my garage door and dented the panels.
It looks as though they need replacing as there is now a gap between the panels and the garage edge.
An electric door opener is installed.

Ok, guys, I barely know how to change a light bulb and I am on my own. And I am an old lady. So is this something I can possibly do myself? I am new to this city so I cannot even ask any friends....
Sierra

You can get replacement panels if you know the manufacturer. There should be some sort of label on the door.
I don't think you can do the work though. The springs are too dangerous for someone without experience to work on.
Unless you want the nickname, "Stumpy", I'd hire someone to install the parts.
I backed the van into the door and took the whole thing out.
Stuff happens.

 

[firehawkmph]

Ditto on what Ron Said. I install and repair garage doors. For me, it's not a big deal. I know what's going to happen when I start taking things apart. For someone who doesn't, could turn into a big ouch. Call a local garage door company and get an estimate.
Mike Hawkins

 

[Sierratoo]

ok but i dont see any springs...like in the pics on the 'net...
thanks for helping tho

 

[CoconutPete]

I ripped a panel off my parents door about 6 years ago because the door closed partway after me opening it and I was driving a big truck.

I got a replacement panel from the manuf. and replaced it. It is, however, not something I'd do if I wasn't a DIY'er.

 

[oh'mike]

Call a couple of door companies---I can't replace a door as cheaply as I can get one done by my local door guys. They are so fast---It's what they do all day and have the truck set up for it.

Good luck---Mike---

 

[DexterII]

Some have long springs along the horizontal portion of the track, and some have torsion springs that are mounted along the header over the door; either style can be dangerous if not dealt with properly.

Nothing to warrant replacement, but I have a small dent in each of the 10' by 12' doors in my barn, one from the lowered tailgate on my pickup and the other from the bucket of my backhoe. Both of them occurred as the result of a momentary lack of attention. As Ron said, stuff happens.

 

[Ron6519]

ok but i dont see any springs...like in the pics on the 'net...
thanks for helping tho

All garage doors will have springs. If it weren't for the counter balance the springs provide, you couldn't open the door.
The fact you don't see them is confirmation you cannot do the job yourself.

 

[Sierratoo]

ok. I got 2 quotes today. Ouch!
Does having an electric door opener create the "spring" effect?
I will take your advice and go with the professionals. But I will be watching like a hawk!
Thank you all for your input. Make it a great weekend.

 

[Thurman]

An electric garage door opener does not create the spring effect. The springs are either tension springs located along the track the door slides/rolls up into, or the torsion type located above the garage door, as was posted. Either type of these springs can/will create a hazard to work with unless you have some experience with them. Either type of these springs can do some serious bodily harm, not to mention how they can scatter your items in your garage around when they get loose. Use the pro's on this one Please.

 

[Ron6519]

Does having an electric door opener create the "spring" effect?"
As Thurman said, the door is not engineered to lift the weight of the door by itself. The springs do the work. If the door and springs are adjusted properly, a 10 year old should be able to lift the door open with little effort.