This will make it a hassle, let alone throw off your rhythm of daily activities—not to mention a danger—if you have a broken garage door spring. When their springs break, many people keep asking one question: Can one ever open the garage door at all?
This article will point out the risks involved, how to open the garage door with a broken spring, and when you must call in help from a professional.
Know the Importance of Springs for a Garage Door If anything, garage door springs are indispensable to any working garage door. A spring helps balance the weight of your garage door to make opening and closing easier. Mainly, two models that are at large running in the market stumble: Torsion springs and extension springs. Whereas the former resides above the door, the latter runs along the sides.
Dangers of Operating a Garage Door with a Broken Spring
Opening a garage door on a broken spring over your head can be dangerous. The door can be hefty, and as such, it’s hard to lift without a spring that balances the weight of it. This may result in:
Falling Risk: The door may fall at any moment, causing severe injuries.
Further Damage: Forcing the door to open inappropriately can cause additional damage to the door panels, tracks, or opener mechanism.
Strain on the Opener: By using the opener to raise the door without any spring assistance, one is subjected to utilizing this tool excessively, eventually leading to burnout in the motor.
How to Open a Garage Door with a Broken Spring If you ever happen to want to open your garage door with a spring that is broken, then these methods could do the trick. Always remember to err on caution and call for help if in doubt.
Lifting the door manually
Manually lifting the door is possible but requires caution. Follow these steps:
- Disconnect the Opener: Pull the emergency release cord to the trolley that holds the door to the opener.
- Get Help: Ask for assistance from someone else—like a friend or family member—to help you lift the door.
- Lift Carefully: Use your legs—not your back—to lift the door. Make sure your hands are well-placed on the bottom of the door.
- Prop Open the Door: Once opened, use some solid object to hold the door open while you move your vehicle or get into the garage.
With a Lever
This can be done in some cases by using a lever to help lift the door. You will need a long, strong lever and a fulcrum.
Place the Lever: Slide the lever under the door with its fulcrum near the bottom.
Apply Force: Use your body weight against the door-opening lever; keep your peripherals alert and your body in check.
Secure the Door: Once the door is open, secure it with a prop or support to prevent it from falling.
When to Call a Professional
While the urge to fix a broken garage door spring may tempt you to try doing it yourself, calling somebody is usually your best bet. Tension in a garage door spring remains exceptionally high so that improper handling will result in serious injury. A trained technician will:
Assess damage and determine the extent of wear, plus the type of spring needed for the repair.
Spring Replacement: Replace the spring using specialized tools and techniques.
Check that the door functions well and safely.
Preventive Maintenance Tips
This will help one avoid inconveniencing and danger caused by a broken garage door spring. Here are the tips:
Inspect regularly for rusting, gaps, or broken coils on the springs. Lubricate Springs: Use a silicone-based lubricant to keep the springs in good working condition. Balance the door: The door has to be balanced. Turn off the opener and raise the door to the middle point; if it’s perfectly balanced, it will not move. Schedule Professional Inspections: Once a year, have the garage door system inspected by a professional.
Conclusion
Opening a garage door with a broken spring is dangerous and tricky. At the same time, there may be methods to do this, the safest route by far is to call on a professional. A vast majority of spring failures can be avoided along with keeping your garage door running as it should through regular maintenance. For more on garage door maintenance and repair, see Garage Door Specialists or seek out your local garage door service professional.
