Will Garage Door Stay Up With Broken Spring?
Garage doors should not be opened with broken springs. Doors in this condition can be difficult to lift because the garage door opener loses the support springs they provide when raising and lowering the door. The springs are designed as door counterweights, helping to keep the door stable and balanced when the operator tries to open or close the door. Without the spring, the door essentially has nothing to support its weight.
We don't recommend trying to open a garage door with a broken spring, but sometimes it's an absolute emergency. If you can't wait for a garage door technician to arrive for the Garage Door Spring Repair, and follow the steps below to open your garage door. Be very careful when opening the door in this way and, if possible, ask someone to help you.
WARNING: TORQUE SPRINGS, EXTENSION SPRINGS, AND OTHER GARAGE DOOR COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH IF NOT HANDLED PROPERLY. PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION AND REPAIR IS RECOMMENDED.
How to open a garage door with a broken torsion spring
Torsion spring garage door systems have one or more springs that run along a metal axis called a torsion tube. These springs are located over the garage door opening near the header. If this is not the type of springs you see, you probably have an extension spring system. Instructions on how to open a garage door with broken extension springs can be found in the next section.
Torsion spring garage door systems have one or more springs that run along a metal axis called a torsion tube. These springs are located over the garage door opening near the header. If this is not the type of springs you see, you probably have an extension spring system. Instructions on how to open a garage door with broken extension springs can be found in the next section.
For doors with 2 torsion springs
Find a partner: Trying to open a garage door with a broken spring is dangerous and is not recommended by professionals. If you must open your garage door, don't try to do it alone.
Be extremely careful: Inspect the door completely before attempting to lift it. Be aware of your surroundings, the door, the spring, and your limbs.
Do not use the opener
Open the door manually to avoid further damage to other parts of the door system. Without the opener bracket and with a broken spring, the door can feel extremely heavy.
Unhook the door from the opener
Make sure the garage door touches the ground so it doesn't slam shut. Pull the red cord to disconnect your garage door from the garage door opener.
Raise the door
Raise the door until it is fully raised along the horizontal rails.
If the door is too heavy, stop trying to lift it and call for a repair service immediately. Some companies, like ours, can provide same-day repair services.
To close the door, gently pull the door down slowly. Keep the door all the way down to prevent it from falling.
Contact a Pro:
Regular maintenance can extend the life of your garage door springs but even with maintenance breakage isn’t always avoidable–springs will wear down over time. Contact ASAP Garage Door Service, expert garage doors if you begin to notice problems or strange noises with your garage door.