Dealing with a garage door broken spring? Your door suddenly feels impossibly heavy, or you heard a loud bang from the garage. A broken spring is one of the most common garage door issues, and it can leave you stranded.
This guide walks you through safely opening your garage door when a spring breaks, and explains when to call for garage door spring replacement versus attempting a DIY fix.
What Happens When You Have a Garage Door Broken Spring?
Opening a garage door with a broken spring is challenging and potentially dangerous. While you can manually lift the door in an emergency, using two springs is recommended for balance. Residential garage door spring repair is crucial for maintaining a safe home environment. should always be handled by professionals due to the high tension these components carry.
Key Takeaways
- A broken spring makes your garage door extremely heavy and difficult to operate safely
- Manual lifting is possible temporarily but requires extreme caution and proper technique
- Professional garage door spring replacement is essential for long-term safety and functionality
- Never attempt to use your automatic opener when you have a garage door broken spring
Why Garage Door Springs Break (And What They Do)
Garage door springs counterbalance your door’s weight typically 150 to 200 pounds for a standard double door. Without functioning springs, you’re lifting the full weight manually. Understanding spring types helps you identify the problem:
Torsion Springs
Located above your garage door, torsion springs twist under tension to lift and lower the door, and their diameter is critical for proper function. When a torsion spring breaks, you’ll typically hear a loud bang like a gunshot. The door won’t budge when you try the automatic opener.
Extension Springs
These springs run along the sides of your door and stretch during operation. A broken extension spring causes one side of the door to sag or hang lower than the other, creating an uneven, dangerous situation.
Both types of springs are under extreme tension, which can lead to potential failure of door parts if not monitored. This is why garage door spring repair requires professional expertise and specialized tools.
Emergency Steps: Opening a Garage Door with a Broken Spring
If you need immediate access and have a garage door broken spring, follow these safety-first steps:
Step 1: Prioritize Safety First
Before touching anything:
- Put on heavy-duty work gloves to protect against sharp metal edges
- Clear the area under and around the door
- Never stand directly beneath the door while it’s moving
- Get a second person to help this isn’t a one-person job
A garage door broken spring makes the door unstable and unpredictable. Treat it with extreme caution.
Step 2: Disconnect the Automatic Opener
Your opener motor can’t handle the full weight without spring assistance. Forcing it will burn out the motor and potentially cause the door to crash down.
How to disconnect: Locate the red manual release cord hanging from the opener trolley. Pull it straight down to disengage the opener. You’ll hear a click when it disconnects from the shaft, signaling that it’s time for maintenance.
Step 3: Manually Lift the Door
This is the hardest part when dealing with a replacement garage door springs installation. garage door broken spring:
- Position yourself and your helper on opposite sides of the door
- Grip the door at the bottom edge, never putting fingers between panels
- Use your legs, not your back squat and lift with proper form
- Lift slowly and steadily, watching for any binding or resistance
- If the door feels impossibly heavy (it will), don’t risk injury and call a professional
The door should weigh 8-12 pounds with working springs. With a garage door broken spring if the door is stuck, it weighs its full 150-200 pounds, making it crucial to handle it with caution.
Step 4: Secure the Door Open
Once raised, ensure that all hardware is properly secured.
- Use locking pliers or a C-clamp on the track just below the bottom roller to prevent the door from falling
- Place a sturdy prop (2×4 or heavy-duty broomstick) as a backup
- Double-check that the door is stable before walking away
- Never trust the door to stay open on its own
Step 5: Stop Using the Door Immediately
With a garage door broken spring, every operation risks:
- The door crashing down unexpectedly
- Further damage to tracks, rollers, and opener
- Serious injury to people or pets
- Damage to vehicles
Keep the door secured in one position until garage door spring replacement is complete.
Garage Door Spring Repair: DIY or Call a Pro?
While you might be handy around the house, garage door spring repair is one job that’s genuinely dangerous for DIYers. Here’s why professional garage door spring replacement is worth every penny:
Why Professional Garage Door Spring Replacement Is Essential
Safety risks: Torsion springs store enough energy to cause severe injury or death if they snap during installation. Extension springs under tension can whip violently when released, posing a serious warning to anyone nearby. Professionals have the training and protective equipment to handle these risks.
Specialized tools required: Garage door spring repair tips can help you avoid costly mistakes. Needs winding bars, spring gauges, and other specialized equipment. Using improvised tools dramatically increases danger.
Proper diagnosis: Sometimes what looks like a simple issue is actually a sign of worn-out door parts that need attention. A garage door broken spring is actually a cable failure, bent track, or opener malfunction. Professionals diagnose the real issue.
Warranty protection: Professional garage door spring replacement typically comes with warranties on parts and labor. DIY repairs void most door warranties.
Correct spring selection: Springs come in dozens of sizes based on door weight, height, track type, and the cycle life they can handle. Installing the wrong spring creates dangerous imbalances, which can lead to death if not handled properly.
What to Expect from Professional Garage Door Spring Replacement
A qualified technician will:
- Inspect both springs and all door components
- Recommend replacing both springs even if only one broke (the other is equally worn)
- Test the door balance after garage door spring replacement
- Adjust opener settings if needed
- Complete the job in 1-2 hours typically
Average cost for replacement garage door springs varies based on the type of steel used and the complexity of installation.
Preventing Future Garage Door Broken Spring Issues
While springs eventually wear out, you can extend their lifespan:
- Lubricate springs twice yearly with garage door lubricant (not WD-40)
- Balance test monthly: Disconnect the opener and manually lift the door halfway. It should stay in place. If it falls or rises, springs need adjustment
- Listen for unusual noises You might hear noises like squeaking or grinding during operation, indicating that some hardware may need lubrication or replacement.
- Schedule annual professional inspections to catch wear before complete failure of the overhead system.
- Replace springs proactively after 7-10 years (typical spring lifespan with normal use)
Frequently Asked Questions About Garage Door Broken Springs
How do I know if I have a garage door broken spring?
Clear signs include: a loud bang from the garage, the door won’t open with the automatic opener, the door feels extremely heavy when lifting manually, one side hangs lower than the other, or you can see a visible gap in the spring coil.
Can I drive my car out with a garage door broken spring?
If you can safely manually lift and secure the overhead door, yes but this is your only trip. Don’t repeatedly open and close the door. Get garage door spring repair Repairs should be scheduled immediately to avoid further damage to the commercial hardware.
How long does garage door spring replacement take?
Professional garage door spring replacement typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on door type, spring configuration, and whether other components need attention.
Should I replace both springs or just the broken one?
Replace both. If one spring broke, the other has the same wear and will likely break soon. Mismatched spring tension also causes door imbalance and premature opener failure.
Is a garage door broken spring covered by homeowners insurance?
Usually no springs are considered normal wear items. However, if the garage door broken spring caused secondary damage (damaged car, broken door panels), that damage might be covered. Check your policy.
Take Action on Your Garage Door Broken Spring
A garage door broken spring is inconvenient but manageable with the right approach. You can safely open the door manually in an emergency, but proper garage door spring replacement requires professional expertise.
Don’t risk injury or further damage trying DIY repairs on the door parts without the proper tools and knowledge. garage door spring repair. Contact a qualified garage door technician who can properly assess and replace the springs and other door parts.
- Safely replace springs with the correct specifications
- Inspect for related damage or wear
- Restore your door to smooth, safe operation
- Provide warranty protection
Your garage door is your home’s largest moving part. When dealing with a residential garage door spring repair, always prioritize safety. garage door broken spring, professional garage door spring replacement protects your safety and your investment.
