A broken garage door spring can leave your garage door stuck, crooked, or suddenly too heavy to lift. If your car is trapped inside the garage, your first thought may be simple: Can I still open the door?
Technically, a garage door may sometimes move after a spring breaks. However, trying to operate a garage door with a broken spring can be dangerous and may cause additional damage to the door or garage door opener.
If you have a broken garage door spring in Jacksonville, FL, the safest approach is to stop operating the door and have the spring inspected by a professional garage door technician.
What Happens When a Spring Breaks?
Garage door springs do much of the heavy lifting when your garage door opens and closes. The springs counterbalance the weight of the door so that the opener does not have to lift the full weight by itself.
When a spring breaks, that counterbalance is lost.
Depending on the type and size of your garage door, the door may suddenly become extremely heavy. The opener may struggle to lift it, the door may rise only a few inches, or one side may move differently from the other.
A broken spring can also place additional stress on cables, rollers, hinges, tracks, and the garage door opener.
Signs You May Have a Broken Spring
A broken spring is often fairly easy to identify once you know what to look for.
Common signs include:
- A loud bang coming from the garage
- The garage door will not open
- The door opens only a few inches and stops
- The garage door feels unusually heavy
- The opener runs but cannot lift the door
- The door appears crooked while opening
- Cables look loose or disconnected
- A visible gap appears in a torsion spring above the door
A loud bang is one of the most common signs. Homeowners sometimes think something fell inside the garage when the actual cause was a spring snapping.
Can You Open a Garage Door With a Broken Spring?
In some situations, the door may still move. That does not mean you should continue using it.
A garage door can weigh hundreds of pounds. Without the spring system properly counterbalancing that weight, attempting to lift the door can create a serious safety hazard.
You can also damage other garage door components by forcing the door open.
If your vehicle is trapped inside, it can be tempting to pull the emergency release and try lifting the door manually. However, disconnecting the opener does not make the garage door lighter. With a broken spring, you may suddenly be dealing with much more weight than expected.
The safest choice is to leave the door closed and contact a garage door repair professional.
Should I Use the Garage Door Opener With a Broken Spring?
No. Continuing to use the opener with a broken garage door spring can put excessive strain on the opener.
The opener is designed to move a properly balanced garage door. It is not designed to replace the lifting force provided by the springs.
Repeatedly pressing the opener button may damage components such as the motor, gears, rail, trolley, or other parts of the can lead to garage door opener repair.
If the door moves a few inches and stops, do not repeatedly press the button hoping that it will eventually open.
Stop operating the door and have the spring inspected.
Can I Lift a Garage Door With a Broken Spring by Hand?
You should not attempt to lift a garage door with a broken spring unless a qualified professional has determined that it is safe to do so.
Even when the door appears manageable at first, its weight can become difficult to control. A door that slips or falls unexpectedly can cause serious injury or property damage.
There may also be additional problems that are not immediately obvious, including damaged cables or other components under tension.
Garage door springs and cables store significant mechanical energy. Avoid touching, adjusting, loosening, or attempting to repair these components yourself.
Can I Replace a Broken Garage Door Spring Myself?
Garage door spring replacement is generally not a good DIY repair.
Torsion springs are installed under substantial tension. Proper replacement requires the correct spring specifications, appropriate tools, and knowledge of how to safely tension and balance the system.
Installing the wrong spring can also affect how the garage door operates.
A professional technician can determine the correct spring for the weight and configuration of your door and check the rest of the system for related damage.
Why Do Garage Door Springs Break?
Garage door springs do not last forever. Each time your garage door opens and closes, the springs complete another cycle.
Eventually, repeated cycling causes metal fatigue.
Several factors can contribute to spring failure:
- Normal wear from repeated use
- Age
- Corrosion
- Improper spring size
- Poor maintenance
- Additional stress from an unbalanced door
- Heavy daily garage door use
Florida’s humid environment can also contribute to corrosion on exposed metal components. Regular garage door maintenance can help identify wear before it becomes a larger problem.
How Long Do Garage Door Springs Last?
Garage door spring life is commonly measured in cycles rather than years. One cycle consists of opening and closing the garage door once.
How quickly those cycles accumulate depends on how often you use your garage.
For example, a garage used as the primary entrance to a home may cycle several times every day. A garage that is rarely used may put considerably fewer cycles on its springs.
Spring quality, correct installation, door balance, maintenance, and environmental conditions can also affect service life.
Should Both Garage Door Springs Be Replaced?
Many garage doors use two springs. If one breaks, homeowners often wonder whether the second spring should also be replaced.
Replacing both can sometimes make sense when the springs were installed at the same time and have experienced approximately the same number of cycles.
If one has reached the end of its service life, the other may have experienced similar wear.
However, every garage door is different. A technician should inspect the system and explain whether replacing one or both springs is appropriate for your particular door.
You should not be pressured into replacing parts without an explanation.
What Should You Do When a Garage Door Spring Breaks?
If you suspect that you have a broken garage door spring, keep things simple.
Stop using the garage door.
Do not repeatedly operate the opener. Do not attempt to adjust the spring or cables. Keep children and pets away from the door and its moving components.
Then contact a professional garage door technician and explain what happened.
If possible, tell the technician whether you heard a loud bang, whether the door is currently open or closed, and whether your vehicle is trapped inside. This information can help the technician understand the situation before arriving.
What If the Garage Door Is Stuck Open?
A garage door stuck in the open position can create a security problem in addition to a repair problem.
Avoid trying to force the door down. A broken spring, damaged cable, or other mechanical problem may cause the door to move unexpectedly.
Keep people away from the opening and contact a garage door professional as soon as possible.
If the garage provides access to your home, make sure the interior door between the garage and house is secured while you wait for service.
Broken Garage Door Spring Repair in Jacksonville, FL
A broken spring is one of those garage door problems that usually needs professional attention quickly.
Trusted Garage Doors provides garage door spring repair in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding communities. You work directly with Chris, the owner, who can inspect the garage door, explain what failed, and discuss the repair before completing the work.
In addition to broken spring replacement, Trusted Garage Doors can diagnose related problems involving cables, rollers, tracks, openers, and other garage door components.
Same-day service is available for many common garage door problems.
If your garage door spring has broken, stop operating the door and call Trusted Garage Doors at 904-847-4263 for a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Broken Garage Door Springs
Will a garage door opener work with a broken spring?
The opener may run, but it may not be able to safely lift the door. Garage door openers are designed to operate a properly balanced door. Continuing to use the opener with a broken spring may put excessive strain on the opener system.
Why did my garage door spring suddenly break?
Most springs eventually break because of metal fatigue from repeated opening and closing cycles. Age, corrosion, improper sizing, door balance, and frequent use can also contribute to spring failure.
Is a broken garage door spring dangerous?
It can be. A broken spring can leave a heavy garage door without proper counterbalance. Springs, cables, and related components may also be under significant tension. Avoid attempting to adjust or repair these components yourself.
Can I drive my car out if the garage door spring is broken?
Do not try to force the garage door open simply to remove a vehicle. The door may be much heavier than expected and could fall or become unstable. Contact a professional technician if your vehicle is trapped.
How much does broken garage door spring repair cost?
The cost depends on the garage door, spring type, spring size, number of springs, and whether other components have been damaged. Request a clear estimate before approving the repair.
How quickly can a broken garage door spring be repaired?
Many spring repairs can be completed during a single service visit when the correct replacement spring is available. The exact repair time depends on the door and whether additional damage is found.
Don’t Keep Using a Garage Door With a Broken Spring
A broken garage door spring is more than an inconvenience. The spring is an important part of the system that helps safely counterbalance the weight of your garage door.
If you hear a loud bang, notice a gap in the spring, or discover that your garage door suddenly will not open, stop operating it.
For broken garage door spring repair in Jacksonville, Florida, call Chris at Trusted Garage Doors at 904-847-4263 for a free estimate and professional local service.
