Holiday Security Checklist: How to Protect Your Garage Door While You’re Away
November 26, 2025
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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 don’t 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 think twice. Opening a garage door with a broken spring can be extremely dangerous. One wrong move and you could seriously injure yourself.
Today’s guide will walk through the signs of a broken spring, why it happens, and how to open a garage door with a broken spring safely — only in an emergency.
Technically, yes.
Should you? Not unless you absolutely have to.
Garage doors are heavy, and springs counterbalance the weight so the opener can lift and close the door smoothly. When the spring breaks, the door becomes unstable and can drop suddenly — essentially turning it into a 200+ pound wall that could crash down without warning.
If your door won’t open because of a broken spring, it may also prevent your opener from working. Learn more here How Garage Door Springs Work.
Garage door springs have a limited lifespan, and daily use gradually wears them down.
Overuse: Too many open/close cycles
Extreme weather: Heat and humidity weaken metal (common in South Florida)
Lack of maintenance: Unlubricated springs wear out faster
The door won’t move even though the opener runs
You heard a loud bang — springs snap loudly
The door looks crooked or uneven on the tracks
The door falls too quickly when closing
If your sensors are blinking or your door won’t close, the issue may be alignment instead:
How to Align Garage Door Sensors
Only do this if it’s an emergency — and never alone.
Check for visible damage. If the door is stuck, uneven, or too heavy, do NOT force it open.
Keep children, pets, and unnecessary people away from the garage.
Pull the emergency release cord to switch the door to manual mode.
With your helper, lift the door evenly from the center — slowly and steadily — until it reaches the horizontal tracks.
A garage door with a broken spring will not stay open.
Use a sturdy support (wood block, ladder, etc.) to hold it up.
Retrieve your vehicle or belongings, then lower the door gently.
This process is just as dangerous as opening it.
Same precautions apply: helper required, no forcing the door, keep the area clear.
Each person should hold a bottom corner and guide the door down evenly out of the track.
Never let it drop.
Even if you manage to open it once, operating a door with a broken spring can:
Destroy the opener
Damage the tracks
Cause injury
Cause the door to slam shut
A professional repair is always the safest route.
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 from the Keys to Vero Beach, we are more than a service provider — we’re your family in the garage door business. Schedule an appointment.
