Key Takeaways:
Is your garage door refusing to budge?
It might have a broken spring.
Finding your car trapped inside (or locked out of!) your garage can be stressful, but there’s no need to panic. Broken garage door springs are one of the most common issues we see at Allied Doors.
You might be tempted to try opening it yourself. But wait and think twice before you do! Trying to lift a garage door with a broken spring can be extremely dangerous if not done properly. One wrong move and you could seriously hurt yourself!
In today’s blog, we’ll go through the signs of a broken spring, why it happens, and how to open a garage door with a broken spring.
Yes, technically, you can. However, we don’t recommend that you do it unless it’s an emergency.
Garage doors are heavy, and their springs counterbalance the weight of the door so that they can be opened and closed. When a spring breaks, the door becomes unstable and can drop suddenly. It’s like having a 200+ pound wall that could come crashing down at any moment. You definitely don’t want that to happen!
Garage door springs come with a lifespan. Daily use will gradually wear them down, even with proper care.
There are, however, some factors that can speed up their deterioration. Overuse can put extra strain on the springs, causing them to wear out more quickly. Extreme weather, like high temperatures and humidity, can weaken metal and make them more prone to breaking. A lack of routine maintenance can also lead to premature deterioration.
When a garage door spring breaks, there will be signs. Here’s what to look out for:
The garage door won’t move: The opener motor runs, but the door doesn’t respond.
You heard a loud noise: A sudden pop or bang could mean a spring has snapped.
The door is uneven: It looks crooked or misaligned on its tracks.
The door falls too quickly: Without proper counterbalance, it will close more quickly than usual.
If a garage door spring is broken and it won’t respond to your opener, you might still be able to manually open it. Be aware that this is a risky procedure, and you should only resort to it in an absolute emergency.
Follow these steps to open a garage door with a broken spring:
1. Safety first:
Before attempting to open the door, check for visible damage or obstacles. If the door is stuck, uneven, or too heavy, do not force it open. Don’t take chances, call a professional garage door service provider for assistance.
Make sure you have at least one other person to assist you. Pay attention to your surroundings, protect your fingers, and keep children, pets, and anyone not helping you away from the garage.
2. Disconnect the opener:
Pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the door from the opener. This will allow you to move the door manually.
3. Lift from the center:
With your helper, lift the door evenly from the center to maintain balance. Avoid pushing or pulling on the panels and continue lifting until the door reaches the horizontal tracks.
4. Keep the door supported:
A garage door with a broken spring will not stay open on its own. Prop it up with a sturdy object.
5. Move quickly but carefully:
Once you’ve moved your vehicle out or taken out what you need, lower the door as soon as possible.
Just like opening a garage door with a broken spring, closing it should be done with extreme caution.
These steps will show you how to close a garage door with a broken spring:
1. Safety first:
Take the same precautions as opening a garage door with a broken spring. Check for visible damage, make sure you have a helper, and keep everyone else at a safe distance.
2. Lower the door slowly:
Each person should stand on each side and hold the bottom corners. Carefully guide the door out of the horizontal track, lowering it slowly to maintain control. Do not let it drop.
While these steps may be helpful in an emergency, they are not a long-term solution. Operating a garage door with a broken spring is dangerous, and DIY repairs could lead to serious injuries or damage to the door if they go wrong.
Instead, let a professional handle it. Our technicians specialize in garage door spring repairs and can get your door back to working order in no time. Need help? Call us at 954-942-8550 or send us a message to schedule your maintenance visit!
At Allied Doors, we’re dedicated to keeping your garage door operating smoothly and safely, from installation to hurricane preparation. Family-owned and proudly serving South Florida for over 50 years, we operate from the Keys to Vero Beach. More than just a service provider, we’re your family in the garage door business.
Count on us for all your garage door needs! Learn more about us here.
