Garage door springs are an essential component of your garage door system, ensuring smooth and efficient operation. However, when these springs break, they can cause significant safety hazards and functional problems for your garage door. Knowing how to handle a broken garage door spring safely and when to call a professional can save you from accidents and additional costly repairs.
Understanding Garage Door Springs
Garage doors rely on two primary types of springs:
- Torsion Springs: These springs are mounted horizontally above the door and help lift the garage door by winding and unwinding with tension.
- Extension Springs: These are located on either side of the garage door, extending and contracting to assist in lifting and lowering the door.
Both types of springs are under immense tension, allowing them to support the door’s weight and make it easier to open and close. Due to this tension, it can release a lot of stored energy when a spring breaks, leading to dangerous situations.
Signs of a Broken Garage Door Spring
Identifying a broken garage door spring early can help you take the necessary precautions and avoid further damage to the door or injury to yourself. Here are some common signs that your garage door spring may be broken:
- The Door Won’t Open or Struggles to Lift
- Loud Bang Noise
- Door Opens Unevenly or Jerks Up
- Gaps in the Spring
- Slack Cables
If you experience any of these issues, you must act quickly and safely to prevent injury or further damage to your garage door system.
Why You Should Avoid DIY Repairs
While it may be tempting to fix a broken garage door spring yourself, this is a dangerous task that should only be handled by trained professionals. Both kinds of springs are tightly wound and hold a tremendous amount of pressure and tension. Attempting to repair or replace these springs without proper tools or knowledge can lead to severe injuries or even death. Without the knowledge of a professional, the spring can snap and cause injury to your hands, face, or other parts of your body. Garage door springs also require special tools for safe removal and replacement. Attempting this kind of repair without these specialized tools can lead to accidents or incomplete repairs, causing the door to malfunction further and potentially damage other parts of the garage door.
Given these dangers, it’s crucial to leave spring repairs to professionals with the expertise and equipment necessary for the job.
Immediate Steps to Take When a Garage Door Spring Breaks
If you suspect that your garage door spring has broken, follow these immediate steps to ensure safety:
Stop Using the Door
Once you suspect a broken spring, stop operating the garage door immediately. Using a door with broken springs can cause more damage to the springs and other mechanisms.
Disconnect the Opener
If your garage door is stuck open or closed, disconnect the automatic garage door opener. This prevents anyone from accidentally trying to operate the door, which could lead to damage or injury.
Manually Secure the Door (if necessary)
If the door is stuck partially open, it’s important to secure it to prevent it from falling. Use clamps or locking pliers on the tracks to hold the door in place and keep it from crashing down.
Avoid Removing or Adjusting the Springs
Do not attempt to remove or adjust the springs yourself. As mentioned, the tension in the springs can be dangerous.
Inspect for Other Damage
Look around the garage door system for any other damage that may have occurred due to the broken spring. This includes checking the cables, pulleys, and rollers. As previously mentioned, do not make any repairs yourself.
Call a Professional Garage Door Technician
The safest and most reliable solution is to contact a professional garage door repair service. A certified technician will have the experience and equipment to safely replace the broken spring and inspect your system for any other potential issues.
When to Call a Professional
In general, if you suspect a spring has broken, you should call a professional repair service immediately. A garage door professional can accurately diagnose the issue with your garage door, even if a spring did not break. If one spring breaks, garage door professionals often recommend replacing both springs simultaneously to ensure that both springs function optimally.
After replacing the spring, a technician will inspect your entire garage door system to ensure everything works correctly. This includes checking the door’s alignment, tension, and balance and examining other components for wear and tear. Garage door technicians may also lubricate the moving parts to ensure smooth operation.
Nofizger Doors Can Help!
A broken garage door spring can be a serious safety hazard and disrupt the function of your garage door. While it may be tempting to fix it yourself, handling garage door springs is dangerous and should always be left to professionals. If you’re dealing with a broken garage door spring, contact Nofziger Doors in Dublin, OH today. Our team of experienced technicians is ready to help you safely repair your garage door system!