A broken garage door spring can be a frustrating inconvenience. Imagine pulling into your driveway after a long day, only to discover your garage door refuses to budge. Don’t panic! There are ways to access your garage, even with a broken spring. However, it’s essential to understand the risks involved and when to call in a professional.
This blog post will guide you through manually opening a garage door with a broken spring, explain the safety precautions to take, and highlight the signs that it’s time to call a Calgary garage door specialist like Gulliver Garage Doors.
Understanding Garage Door Springs
Garage door springs are the unsung heroes of the system. These tightly wound coils counterbalance, offsetting the door’s weight and allowing the opener to raise and lower it effortlessly. There are two main types of garage door springs:
- Torsion springs: Located above the horizontal track, torsion springs tighten and loosen as the door opens and closes.
- Extension springs: Installed on either side of the door frame, extension springs stretch and contract to balance the door’s weight.
A broken spring throws the entire system out of whack. The door becomes incredibly heavy, and the opener won’t have the power to lift it. In some cases, a broken spring can also damage other garage door system components.
Signs of a Broken Garage Door Spring
How do you know if your garage door woes stem from a broken spring? Here are some telltale signs:
- The door is significantly heavier than usual: A properly functioning spring should make the door feel almost weightless when opening or closing manually.
- The door opens unevenly or gets stuck: A broken spring can cause the door to tilt or bind in its tracks.
- You hear a loud bang: This is a classic sign of a torsion spring snapping.
- The opener struggles to lift the door: The opener might make grinding noises or stop working altogether.
- Visible damage to the springs: Look for cracks, gaps, or loose coils in the springs themselves.
Opening a Garage Door with a Broken Spring (DIY Approach)
If you’re comfortable with a bit of DIY and need immediate access to your garage, you can attempt to open the door manually. However, this is important:
- Safety First! A broken spring can cause serious injury if it snaps while you’re working on the door. Only attempt this process if you are confident in your abilities and have a helper available.
- This is a temporary solution. A broken spring needs to be replaced by a qualified professional immediately.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to manually opening a garage door with a broken spring:
- Disengage the garage door opener: Locate the emergency release cord hanging from the door opener track. Pull the cord firmly to disconnect the trolley from the door.
- Secure the garage door (optional): If you’re concerned about the door falling shut, use clamps or sturdy pieces of lumber (2x4s) to wedge under the bottom of the door and prevent it from slamming down.
- Lift the garage door: With a helper, slowly and carefully lift the door straight up from the bottom center. The door will be heavy, so use proper lifting techniques to avoid back strain.
- Secure the open door (optional): Use C-clamps or wedges to hold it in place once fully open.
Important Safety Precautions
- Do not attempt to fix the spring yourself. Garage door springs are under immense tension and can be dangerous to handle if not replaced properly.
- Never stand directly under the door while lifting it.
- If the door feels too heavy to lift safely, stop immediately and call a professional.
- Be aware of your surroundings and ensure no one is in the way of the moving door.
When to Call a Calgary Garage Door Professional
While the steps above can help you access your garage in a pinch, it’s crucial to understand that a broken spring is a serious issue. Here are some situations where calling a professional like Gulliver Garage Doors in Calgary is essential:
- You are not comfortable or confident performing the manual opening procedure.
- The door is damaged or appears unsafe.
- You suspect there might be additional damage to the garage door system.
- You don’t have a helper available.
Why Choose Gulliver Garage Doors for Broken Spring Repair in Calgary?
At Gulliver Garage Doors, we understand the importance of a functioning garage door. Our team of certified technicians is highly skilled in diagnosing and repairing all types of garage door problems, including broken springs. Here’s why you should choose Gulliver Garage Doors for your broken spring repair in Calgary:
- Fast and Reliable Service: A broken garage door can be a significant inconvenience. That’s why we offer same-day service in most cases. Our technicians will arrive promptly, diagnose the problem quickly, and get your garage door operational again in no time.
- Safety First: Safety is our top priority. Our technicians are trained in safe spring replacement procedures and will ensure your garage door is functioning correctly before leaving your home.
- High-Quality Parts and Materials: We use only the highest quality replacement springs and parts to ensure a long-lasting repair.
- Competitive Rates: We offer competitive rates for all our garage door repair services, including broken spring replacement.
- Trusted Local Business: Gulliver Garage Doors is a family-owned and operated business serving Calgary for over 25 years. We are committed to providing our customers with exceptional service and quality workmanship.
Don’t Let a Broken Spring Keep You Out of Your Garage!
A broken garage door spring is a problem that shouldn’t be ignored. By taking action quickly and calling a qualified professional like Gulliver Garage Doors, you can avoid further damage to your garage door system and ensure your own safety and that of your loved ones.
We are available 24/7 to take your call and address your garage door concerns. Call us today to schedule a service appointment. Remember, a functioning garage door is essential for the security and convenience of your Calgary home. Don’t wait – call Gulliver Garage Doors today!
Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Garage Door Springs
Here are a few tips to help prevent broken garage door springs and extend the lifespan of your system:
- Regular maintenance: Schedule regular inspections of your garage door system by a qualified technician. This will allow them to identify potential problems early on, such as spring wear and tear.
- Lubricate moving parts: Lubricate the moving parts of your garage door system, such as the hinges and rollers, with a light silicone spray every few months. This will help to reduce friction and wear and tear.
- Avoid overloading the door: Don’t park hefty vehicles or store too much weight in your garage. This can put extra strain on the springs.
- Be mindful of extreme temperatures: Extreme temperatures can cause the metal in your garage door springs to become brittle and more susceptible to breaking.
By following these tips, you can help keep your garage door springs functioning correctly for many years.
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