Can You Open Your Garage Door With a Broken Spring?

Knowing how garage door springs work will help you stay safe should they break. There are two kinds of springs: extension and torsion. Extension springs pull on both sides to lift the door, while torsion springs sit above and use the stress they store when the door is closed to lift it when it opens.Each type of spring uses its own tension to balance the door’s weight, keeping everything steady. These springs may retain significant potential energy, so when they rupture, they can be dangerous.

What Happens When the Spring on Your Garage Door Breaks?

If the spring in your garage door breaks, you won’t be able to open and close it like you normally do. If the problem is a broken spring, it could be

• The motor for the garage door opener is working, but the door isn’t moving.
• When the garage door opener works, it makes grinding or straining noises.
• You heard the spring break, and it made a big pop.
• The door to the garage is off its tracks.
• Can you open a garage door if the spring is broken?

If the spring is broken, you can still open the garage door, but it will take some work. The broken spring makes the door heavier to lift, so trying to open it automatically with the opener could hurt the motor or burn it out.

If your garage door has a broken spring, we don’t recommend trying to open it. If you have to open the door to get a car out, follow these safety tips:

To stay safe, brace your back, keep your fingers away from pinch spots, and make sure your feet aren’t under the door.

• As you lift the door, hold it level in the center.
• Don’t pull or push on the garage door panels, as they might bend.
• Without help, the garage door won’t stay open, so make sure it’s level when it’s open.
• As soon as you get your car out, close the garage door. Don’t leave it open.
• Things to do to stay safe before trying to open the door
• Be careful when opening a garage door with a broken spring. Garage doors are heavy and can hurt you if you drop them, so it’s better to have someone help you lift them. Check that there are no pets or kids in the area and that there is nothing that could get in the way or make you trip

How to Shut a Garage Door When the Spring Is Broken

To close your garage door, do the opposite of what you did to open it:

• To get the garage door off the horizontal rails where it is resting, start moving it down.
• Slowly lower the garage door with the help of another person until it is closed.
• Reconnect the garage door opener to the door.
• Don’t let the garage door drop, as a sudden drop could damage other parts.

When to Call a Pro: Safety Comes First! If you don’t have the right tools, gear, or helper, or if you’re not sure what you’re doing, call a pro!

Call Hall Garage Doors now to have your broken springs repaired.

A professional should change the springs on your garage door. Hall Garage Doors has skilled personnel who will do the job well. In Toronto, we’ve been replacing faulty springs and doing other repairs for more than 20 years. Our professionals will replace your springs safely and quickly.

You can schedule your repair online or by calling 416-639-2446