That dreaded sound every homeowner fears… the sharp, metallic SNAP that signals a broken garage door spring. And now the question is: “Can you open your garage door with a broken spring?”
Suddenly, what was once a simple click of a button to start your day has become a major headache. But what now? Can you still get your car out? Is it safe to even touch the garage door?
Don’t panic! We’ll explain everything you need to know about dealing with a broken garage door spring, from emergency access to crucial safety tips.
What are the signs that your garage door spring has broken?
A malfunctioning garage door can be a major inconvenience, and a broken spring is often the culprit. Recognizing the signs of a broken spring can help you avoid further damage and ensure your safety. Here are some key indicators that your garage door spring may be broken:
- Garage Door Opener Activation Without Door Movement: If your garage door opener motor runs but the door remains stationary, it clearly indicates that the spring may have snapped, preventing it from lifting the door’s weight.
- Audible Pop or Bang: Garage door springs operate under significant tension. A loud popping or banging sound from your garage often signifies a sudden spring breakage.
- Door Alignment Issues: A broken spring can disrupt the door’s balance, causing it to become crooked or misaligned within its tracks.
- Rapid Door Descent: If the garage door falls rapidly and uncontrollably when you attempt to close it, this suggests the spring is no longer functioning to counterbalance the door’s weight.
- Excessive Manual Lifting Force: A broken spring is highly probable if you disengage the garage door opener and find it exceptionally difficult to lift the door manually.
If you observe any of these warning signs, it is imperative to stop operating the garage door immediately and contact a qualified technician for repair or replacement.
How to visually tell if the spring is broken?
There are two ways to verify that you have a broken garage door spring.
Broken Torsion Spring
Whether you have one or two, a broken torsion spring will look like this. Torsion springs are mounted on the wall directly above your garage door. Depending on the size of your door, you could have one or two springs.
Snapped Extension Spring
Extension springs are attached to a cable & pulley system, and you’ll know when one is broken because you’ll see it hanging from the track. Extension springs are especially dangerous because when they separate from the pulley system, the released tension has to go somewhere. If you’re home, you’ll hear a loud popping sound and a bang from whatever the spring hits. It could be your car, the wall, or a nearby storage rack.
At a recent lunch, our banker told us about a loud pop he heard during dinner. He checked the windows, attic, and laundry room to identify the noise, but he couldn’t figure it out. Until the next morning when he went into the garage and found a hanging extension spring and a huge gouge in their wall.
Torquemaster System
If you don’t see either of these types of springs, you may have a Wayne Dalton TorqueMaster System. These torsion springs are hidden in a metal tube over your door.
How do you open a garage door with a broken spring?
The short answer: technically, yes, but…
It’s possible to open a garage door with a broken spring, but it’s strongly discouraged. Think of it like lifting a heavy weight with one arm instead of two – it’s going to be much harder, and there’s a greater risk of injury.
Here’s why:
- Increased Weight: The springs do a lot of the heavy lifting. Without them, the full weight of the garage door falls on you.
- Unpredictable Movement: A broken spring can cause the door to become unbalanced, leading to jerky movements or even falling.
- Risk of Further Damage: Forcing the door open can damage the garage door opener, tracks, or other components.
Safety First:
Unless you’re a trained professional with experience handling garage doors, leaving this job to the experts is best. Attempting to open a garage door with a broken spring can lead to severe injuries. If you must get your car out, proceed with extreme caution and consider enlisting the help of another person.
We do not recommend opening a garage door with broken springs. However, if you are in a dire situation and need help, we’ll walk you through how to open your garage door.
How to open a one-car garage door with a broken spring
Sizes range from 8′ x 7′ to 10′ x 8′ and can be completed by one person if you can lift the garage door’s weight.
- Get your garage door opener remote.
- Go to the middle of your garage door.
- Place your hands in the middle of your garage door.
- Press the opener on your remote.
- Slowly and steadily, you’ll take the place of the spring and will need to lift the door. The operator will guide you as you put enough upward pressure on the door for the operator to mistake your work for the springs.
- If the garage door makes it up, it should stay because there is no pressure on the springs.
How to open a two-car garage door with a broken spring
Follow the same steps above, except you need two people on both sides of the garage door. Because of the garage door’s weight, you should only attempt to open a two-car garage door with a broken spring.
Safety tips for manually opening a garage door with a broken spring
If you absolutely must open your garage door with a broken spring, prioritize safety above all else. Here’s how to proceed with caution:
1. Disconnect the Opener
Pull the red emergency release cord to disengage the door from the motor. If the door is open, prop it up with a sturdy object like a ladder. Assess the situation and ensure the door is stable before proceeding.
2. Enlist Help
With a broken spring, the door will be much heavier. Ask someone to help you lift it to avoid strain or injury. Communicate clearly throughout the process to coordinate your movements.
3. Lift with Care
Position yourselves on either side of the door. Lift with your legs, keeping your back straight, and apply even pressure to prevent the door from becoming unbalanced. Lift slowly and steadily, pausing to prop the door up securely at intervals.
4. Mind Your Fingers
Be mindful of pinch points—edges of the door panels and moving parts. Keep your fingers clear of these areas to avoid injury. Also, be aware of loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught.
5. If It’s Too Heavy, Stop
Stop immediately if the door feels too heavy or you feel you’re losing control. Don’t risk injury. Call a professional garage door repair service if needed.
Important Reminder: These tips are for emergencies only. It’s always best to contact a qualified garage door technician to repair a broken spring whenever possible.
How to close a garage door with a broken spring
Closing a garage door with a broken spring requires caution and assistance. Pull the emergency release cord to disconnect the door from the opener. Carefully guide the door downwards with a helper, ensuring it remains balanced. Use your legs to lift, not your back, to prevent injury. Once closed, re-engage the opener by pulling the emergency release cord again. Remember never to attempt this if the door is off track or if you feel unsafe. This is a temporary fix, so contact a repair professional immediately.
Should you replace the garage door spring yourself?
No. Replacing broken garage door springs is not a DIY project. Our garage door repair techs have years of experience converting extension springs to torsion springs and replacing snapped springs. You wouldn’t try to fix your HVAC unit. Rather, you would call a professional service company because they train and educate their staff to repair equipment effectively.
Spring replacement requires special tools and skills acquired over time. We do not sell parts to homeowners looking to make repairs themselves.
Do you replace extension springs?
No. We convert extension springs to a torsion spring operation rather than replacing extension springs. We don’t like how dangerous extension springs are and how much damage they cause when they break, so we avoid working with them.
How much does garage door spring replacement cost?
Prices vary, but replacement torsion springs for your home in Dallas, Fort Worth, cost between $249 for a single spring or $349 – $800 for a pair of springs. The price to convert extension springs to torsion springs for a safer garage costs $650 – $1,000.
Pricing is always based on your garage door’s weight, size, and material. We discuss this in more detail in our Garage Door Torsion Spring FAQs article.
Should you replace both springs if only one is broken?
Yes and no. Yes, if the springs were both installed simultaneously and you want to save money by replacing both springs in one trip rather than two. No, if you want to wait until the other spring breaks. This approach will cost you around $500 ($249 for each spring, times two trips) instead of $349 for one trip.
Should you replace the springs on your other garage door if you have a spring break?
Not necessarily. Garage door springs are rated for thousands of operations, and we typically use one garage door more than the other. If your 2nd or 3rd garage door is used less often, the springs have much more life than your primary door.
Can garage door springs be repaired?
No. Unlike a flat tire that can be plugged and reused, garage door springs can’t be repaired and reused. Made from steel, once broken, there’s no saving them.
How do you close a garage door with a broken spring?
Garage door springs assume weight and wind up as the door lowers. Think of each garage door section as a book. As the first section lowers, you’re carrying one book, but by the time 4 or 5 sections have come down, you’re carrying 4 to 5 times the weight.
Closing a garage door with a broken spring requires more effort and should be completed with even more caution than opening your garage door.
More common spring replacement or repair questions.
Don’t get stuck, upgrade or fix your garage today!
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For service from the friendliest garage door experts in Texas, contact our team at Doorvana. We offer turnkey garage door services in and around North Texas. If your garage door springs are broken, call us at 817-500-5988 or fill out a form to get pricing and schedule.
Conclusion
Dealing with a broken garage door spring can be a daunting experience, but understanding the risks and taking necessary precautions can ensure your safety and prevent further damage. While it’s technically possible to open and close your garage door manually with a broken spring, it’s strongly recommended to leave this task to professionals. Remember to prioritize safety above all else. If you must access your garage in an emergency, follow the safety tips outlined, enlist help, and proceed with extreme caution. Ultimately, the best solution is to contact a qualified garage door technician for prompt and reliable repairs, ensuring the smooth and safe operation of your garage.
