When a garage door spring breaks, it releases incredible amounts of energy that can damage your home, your car or other property stored in the area, as well as harm anyone standing beneath or near it. This is why a broken garage door spring should never be opened manually.
You can, however, put your garage door into manual operation mode using the red emergency release pull cord attached to the opener with help from team garage door, learn what happens when a garage door spring fails.
Call a Pro
A broken spring causes the weight of your garage door to shift, putting an extraordinary amount of strain on other components. This can result in a sudden, startling bang and potential injury to anyone nearby. It is essential to call a professional as soon as you notice that your garage door makes unusual sounds and movements.
The most common reason garage springs snap is due to rust, which gradually weakens them over time. A professional can help to prevent this by lubricating the springs regularly. They will also be able to wind the springs precisely, which is something that novices can’t do.
Trying to save money by installing the springs yourself is never worth the risk of injury or damage to other parts of your garage door. Calling a professional is always the best choice to avoid accidents. Moreover, professionals are better positioned to identify other problems with your garage door and address them swiftly and safely.
Turn Off the Power
Your garage door is a heavy object that’s counterbalanced by springs. When the springs fail, the opener has to work overtime to lift the door. This overwork can damage the opener and shorten the springs’ lifespans.
The first sign of a failing spring is usually a loud bang. The other is when the door slams down or fails to open.
If you’re unable to open your garage door with the opener, pull the red handle on the emergency release inside your garage. This will disconnect the door from the trolley and disable the opener.
Once the opener is disconnected, you can manually operate your garage door. The door will be much heavier than usual, though, so have an assistant help you lift it. Position yourself on one side of the door and have your assistant place a block or step ladder under it to support it as you lift. This will distribute the weight evenly and prevent your assistant from getting too fatigued.
Turn Off the Lights
A garage door is a heavy object that requires springs to operate. If those springs break, a garage door can fall suddenly, causing damage to anything in its path and possibly hurting you or someone else.
In general, a broken garage door spring will make a loud snapping noise and lose its tension. You might also notice that the door is crooked as it moves up and down the track or that it doesn’t open at all. Broken springs can also loosen cables, which work closely with the springs to raise and shut the door.
If you notice any of these signs, don’t try to use your garage door again until a professional has inspected it. A garage door can be very heavy, so recruit a second person to help you move it if you need to. A second person can also help keep the door from falling down on you if the spring does snap.
Call for Help
Garage door springs are under tremendous pressure every time they open and close your garage. Even if your springs are made of high-grade tempered steel, they are still designed to handle only so much stress before they give out and break.
When a spring breaks, it releases a tremendous amount of energy that can damage your garage door, your property stored inside it or even injure someone walking directly under it. If you suspect your garage door spring has broken, call a professional immediately.
Several clues can help you recognize when a garage door spring has snapped. If your garage door jerks as it moves up or down and becomes crooked along its tracks, this could indicate the spring is broken. Also look for any grinding noises, which often signify the need to replace components and may lead to the spring failing altogether. Rust build-up on your spring can create extra friction, dramatically shortening its lifespan. Regularly spraying your spring with a lubricant can prevent this from happening.