Repair or Replace? About This Page:

[minemoz1]

My DH informed me that our garage door opener has died. Apparently the spring broke. So, he was wondering if we should have someone come out and look at it or have it replaced. The opener is 10+ years old. I say replace. I don't remember it costing too much and we only have a one car garage. I Think a trip to Home Depot/Menards is in my near future as we can't get in the garage.

So would you repair it or replace it?

UPDATE: The garage door spring broke so we do need to repair it. I thought part of the opener broke. They are coming out on Friday and will cost between $196-295 depending if we have 1 or 2 springs.

[oldmom]

Mine broke last year, only cost $60 to fix.

[Grandmasam]

I'd first check into getting it fixed. I think that the doors have two springs - one on either side - so you might want to get both of them replaced at the same time.

with whichever you decide to do!

[simbarel]

I would ask DH to repair it, and if troubles continued then I'd replace it.

[Cam22]

Ours broke last fall and it was well under a $100 to repair and we have a much better spring now.

[scottjs]

It seems to be that we have become a country that replaces rather then fixes. And I think that is ashamed. A lot of times it is almost cheaper to replace entirely.

[GoofyMom]

We had ours repaired when our spring died. DH says the spring is for the garage door itself, not the electric opener. I'd have somebody come look at it.

[minemoz1]

Thanks. Yes the spring for the door broke so we will need to replace that. The opener should work.

[RobDVC]

I'd check to see how much it would cost to repair it before totally scrapping it for a new one.

[Colexis Mom]

I'd see if you can repair it first, if not, then replace it

[Caldercup]

I'm not a DIY person when it comes to mechanical things, but my impression is that garage door openers either have two springs (on on either side of the door) or they use a large "screw" to pull the door up.

The springs are in the $15 range per spring -- I know this because one of ours broke (and made me think I'd been shot! ).

If the drive screw or the motor is shot, then it's time to replace the whole unit.
Eileen

[Carousel96]

if it's just the spring -- that's a repair. I think our society is way too quick to throw out and replace things (and the manufacturers make it cheaper and easier to do it that way) but this one should be cheap and easy to fix.

[disney_duke]

Repair the springs. We have a double, also about 10 years old. Ours literally flew off last year (luckily nothing got broken). So the guy came out and replaced both for $75. He informed us that whoever built/installed the door chose the cheapest parts and door, so it won't be lasting forever. But even he recommended to just replace the springs for now.

[ilovedisney0_0]

Originally Posted by Caldercup

The springs are in the $15 range per spring -- I know this because one of ours broke (and made me think I'd been shot! ).

WHAA-AATTT????? Mine broke a month after I moved into my house. The guy charged me $300 to repair them!! Sometimes, I hate being single... Men never seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to stuff like that!

[oldmom]

I agree. When I find a great repair person, plumber, whatever, I make sure to tell every female I know about them. Sometimes I think there should be a local website for women to find these guys.