If you’ve ever experienced a broken garage door torsion spring, you know how frustrating and inconvenient it can be. The springs are vital to the operation of your garage door, as they counterbalance its weight and make it easier to lift. When a garage door spring breaks, the door can become very heavy and difficult to move. However, if you need to open your garage door despite the broken spring, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it safely.
Once you get the door open, we suggest calling a professional, as we don’t recommend trying to fix the spring yourself.
Tools You’ll Need
You’ll want to have the following items on hand:
- A pair of sturdy work gloves
- A pry bar or crowbar
- A set of vice grips or locking pliers
- A friend or family member (optional but recommended for larger doors)
How To Open Your Garage Door If It Has A Broken Spring
Disengaging your garage door opener is crucial for safely opening the door manually. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to do it:
Step 1: Locate the Emergency Release Cord
The emergency release cord is typically red and hangs down from the garage door track, just below the opener motor. This cord is designed to disconnect the door from the opener, allowing for manual operation.
Step 2: Ensure the Door is in a Closed Position
Before pulling the release cord, make sure the garage door is fully closed. If the door is partially open, pulling the release cord could cause the door to fall rapidly due to its weight and the broken spring, posing a safety risk.
Step 3: Pull the Emergency Release Cord
Grasp the red cord firmly and pull it straight down. This action disengages the garage door from the automatic opener. When the door is released from the opener, you should hear a clicking sound, indicating that it’s now in manual mode.
Step 4. Brace the Door
Garage doors are heavy, especially with a broken spring. Use a pry bar or crowbar to lift the door slightly from the bottom until you can get a good grip. If you have vice grips or locking pliers, clamp them to the door track below each side’s bottom roller. This will keep the door from sliding back down as you lift it.
Step 5. Manually Lift the Door
Lift the garage door with the door braced and a firm grip on the handle. You may need assistance, as the door will be heavy without the spring’s help. Lift slowly and steadily to avoid straining yourself or damaging the door.
Step 6. Prop the Door Open
Once the door is fully open, prop it up with a 2×4 or a sturdy item that can support the weight. You don’t want the door to fall suddenly while you’re working under it. Make sure the door is stable before walking away.
Step 7. Call a Professional for Repairs
While opening a garage door with a broken spring is possible, this is a temporary solution. Using the door in this condition can damage other parts, such as the opener or the tracks.
Why Call RJ Garage Door Service to Fix Your Broken Spring
A broken garage door spring is more than an inconvenience—it’s a safety hazard. Here’s why calling RJ Garage Door Service to handle the repair is the smartest and safest option:
- 1. Expertise You Can Trust: Our repair team has 13 years of experience repairing and replacing broken garage door springs, whether torsion or extension.
- 2. Safety First: Garage door springs are under high tension, and attempting to repair or replace them can lead to serious injury. Our spring technicians are trained to handle these high-tension parts with the right tools and techniques.
- 3. Quality Parts and Workmanship: We use only high-quality TorqueMaster® Plus counterbalance systems when replacing springs during a conversion. This means a longer lifespan and better door performance.
- 4. Prevent Further Damage: Operating a garage door with a broken spring can damage other components, such as the opener, tracks, and cables. Our expert team will not only fix the broken spring but also perform a thorough inspection to identify any other potential issues, saving you from costly future repairs.
- 5. Fast and Convenient Service: RJ Garage Door Service provides fast, reliable service to get your door back in working order as soon as possible.
- 6. Guaranteed Satisfaction: We stand behind our work with guarantees that ensure your satisfaction.
