Broken Spring? Here’s How to Get Your Garage Door Working Again

Common sense tells us that your garage door needs its springs to work smoothly down the rails. However, homeowners would witness rather frequently that a broken spring stops everything. A garage door would most likely stay flat upon the ground but only half-open, feel heavier than normal, or bang loudly like someone trying to bully in as if the winds were pushed at someone inside. Familiar? Relax; you are stressing yourself unnecessarily; you are not alone, and by now, you know already that there is a solution.

Why a Broken Spring Stops Everything?

Garage door spring systems are either torsion or extension types, both counterbalancing the weight of the door. These springs are under several hundred pounds of tension with every opening and closing of your door. Once one spring breaks, the opener cannot lift alone, leaving the door either stuck, out of balance, or dangerously unstable. At this point, it is a mistake to try and force the door open, as this can cause more damage to the opener, the track system, or yourself.

How To Know If Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken?

Watch out for the following signs of spring failure:

• Full opening is not achieved, or the door only lifts a few inches.
• There was a loud snap or bang from the garage.
• The door feels unusually heavy when trying to lift it manually.
• The spring above the door has visible gaps or has stretched.
• Cables appear loose or off track.

If any of these ring a bell, by now, there’s a good chance that there is a broken spring; time to go into action.

What Next (Dos And Don’ts)

DO:

• Avoid using the garage door. Continuing to operate it could worsen the damage or injure you.
• Disconnect the opener for safety, especially if the door is stuck in the partially-open mode.
• Call for a licensed garage door technician; this is not a DIY project.

DON’T:

• Do not attempt to open the door by hand. Without spring support, you are lifting a few hundred pounds of dead weight.
• Do not attempt to replace the springs yourself. The high tension makes this an extremely dangerous process to attempt without the proper tools and training.

How a Professional Fixes It?

A garage door technician will:

• Inspect both springs (both are typically replaced to ensure balance, even if only one broke).
• Replace the damaged spring with a correctly sized, high-cycle spring.
• Check and adjust tension, cables, and safety settings.
• Conduct a test to ensure the door opens and closes smoothly and quietly, and is compatible with the opener.
• The repair typically lasts under 120 minutes, with the garage door being as good as new.

This article was written by a professional at 1 Stop Garage Doors. 1 Stop Garage Doors proudly serves homeowners and businesses with top-quality garage door installations and repairs. We install premium doors and openers from trusted brands, ensuring reliability and customer satisfaction. Our expert team provides cost-effective solutions, arriving with fully stocked trucks to handle repairs on the spot, including torsion spring replacements, drum and roller fixes, and general maintenance to keep your garage door functioning smoothly. Click here for more information.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.