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Garage doors tend to get more use than the front door for people that love the convenience and ease of gaining access to their house that a garage door provides. You probably use your garage door daily without thinking about the wear and tear that’s happening to your door over time until the day comes when your garage door suddenly doesn’t open.
When your garage door is broken, it can lead to frustration and worry about the cost of repair. While there are a lot of reasons a garage door can break, one of the most common causes is a broken garage door spring. You likely don’t have a spare spring lying around the house, so what are you supposed to do? Read on for more information to help you learn more about how to tell if your spring is broken and what to do next.
Reasons Why the Garage Door Springs Break
Your garage door springs do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to the correct function of your garage door. It’s important to understand why the garage door springs can break to prevent it from happening and creating a disastrous repair situation. Here are the main reasons why your garage door springs can break.
Rust – If rust develops on your springs, it can increase the friction on the coils as the door opens and closes. The springs can begin corroding, weakening them and causing them to fail more quickly. You can extend the life of your door springs by lubricating the coils at least three to four times a year.
Improper Maintenance – Garage door springs will eventually fail, but getting regular maintenance can help prolong the lifespan and keep you updated if they are close to failure. Proper maintenance and care can help you prevent the headache of dealing with a spring breaking and having to schedule an emergency repair.
Wear And Tear – One of the main reasons your garage door spring will break is normal wear and tear. All springs are engineered with a minimum life span and depending on how often you use your door. If you use your garage door several times a day, you’re likely to experience a broken spring sooner rather than later.
Signs Your Garage Door Spring Is Broken
When the garage door suddenly doesn’t open, you can tell if it’s the springs in a couple of different ways. Take a few minutes to do a quick inspection to see if you can find the problem.
- The first and obvious way to tell if a spring is broken in your garage door is if the door doesn’t open. You will hear the door opener motor working and straining, but the door will not budge.
- If you hear a loud, audible pop, that’s a sign your spring has broken. You can inspect the springs if you hear the pop to confirm by entering the garage from the interior door.
- If the door is not opening, you can inspect the two types of springs to see if they are broken. The torsion springs will be generally located above the garage door opening. The extension springs are near the tracks on both sides of the door.
Opening a Garage Door with Broken Springs
If you have a broken spring, you want to be sure to avoid opening your garage door with your opener, as it can cause some significant issues and further add to the damage that can lead to costly repairs. The only option if you do need to get your garage door open is to do it manually.
Many professionals would advise against opening your garage door with broken springs as the garage door can be extremely heavy and can cause serious injury or death if not done correctly. Here’s what to do if you need to open your garage door before a professional is able to come out and make the repairs.
Get Help – Don’t attempt to open the garage door on your own. The door is extremely heavy, and having a second or third person can help you get it open easier and prevent injury.
Use Caution – Be extremely careful as you handle opening the door. Be mindful of your back position and where your hands land to avoid pinching and accidentally dropping the door.
Disengage the Garage Door From the Opener – Look for a handle or a rope hanging from the opener and pull until the mechanism disengages. Be sure to disengage when the door is still touching the ground to prevent it from slamming shut.
Lift the Door – Begin lifting the door until it is completely raised on the horizontal rails. If the door is too heavy, stop immediately and call a repair service. There is no need to push yourself as it could be dangerous. Slowly lower the door back down to prevent the door from falling.
How to Fix a Garage Door Broken Spring
Fixing a broken garage door spring can be daunting and incredibly dangerous. It’s a good idea to leave this type of repair to a professional. Repairs require special tools, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you can cause serious injury and even death. You could repair it incorrectly and cause more damage down the line.
The cost you would pay to have a professional come out is worth the money and can save you from too much effort and reduces the chances of you getting injured. A professional can assess the broken springs and check on the door’s function to ensure everything is in working order to prevent it from breaking in the future.
Garage door springs are essential to a functioning garage door system. If they are neglected or are not maintained regularly, your door will likely break and potentially jeopardize your and your household’s safety. Ensure your garage door springs are inspected annually by a professional to ensure you never have to worry about the garage door failing.
