The springs on your garage door do pretty much all of the heavy lifting when it comes to your door opening and closing. If you are in a situation where you are wondering whether you can open your garage door even with a broken spring, there’s a good chance you’re stuck on one side or the other of it and needing it to open. The good news is that the door can be opened. However, the bad news is that it won’t be easy – and it’s best if you leave it to a professional. Contact our team at The Garage Door Guy Corp to schedule your appointment for your residential or commercial property today!

What Type of Springs Do I Have and Why Are They Important?

• Torsion Springs:  These spring systems typically use one or two tightly wound springs, depending on the size of the garage door. The springs are located horizontally on a steel shaft and have cable drums at both ends. Torsion springs are mounted to the header wall above the garage door. In most cases, it has a three-pronged support system with a center and two end bearing plates at either end. 

• Extension Springs: These spring systems, on the other hand, are mounted on either side of the garage door track. The springs extend and contract with the assistance of cables and pulleys when the door is in motion. 

Whether your garage door has torsion springs or extension springs, those springs are responsible for raising and lowering your garage door. When the garage door is lowered, the springs gain tension. However, when the garage door is being raised, the tension is released and the spring helps with lifting. Because garage door springs have the most tension when the door is lowered, it is most common for these springs to break when the garage door is down. 

How Long Does a Garage Door Spring Last?

The amount of time that a garage door spring lasts can vary, but most are designed to open and close a garage door 10,000 times. Depending on how often you take your car in and out, this could range anywhere from five to ten years. 

There can be several reasons that the springs for your garage door might break. One of the main reasons for garage door spring failure is everyday wear and tear. Problems such as age, rust, too much pressure on the spring, and improper maintenance or installation can also cause garage door springs to break. 

Can I Still Open My Garage Door if the Spring is Broken?

If your garage door has a broken spring, do not attempt to use the opener to open your garage door under any circumstances. Using your garage door opener with a broken spring can result in several different problems, including 1) cracking or crumpling the door panels, 2) burning out the motor in your opener, 3) stripping gears in your opener, 4) bending the rails, and 5) parts of the opener carriage could break off. 

It is strongly advised that you do not attempt to open your garage door if the spring is broken. Because garage doors are typically made out of materials like metal or wood, they can sometimes weigh upwards of 500 pounds. If one of the springs is broken, you will be left lifting all of that weight on your own. For safety reasons, it is best to call a reliable garage door repair service like The Garage Door Guy Corp. 

Contact The Garage Door Guy Corp for Quality Spring Repair

When dealing with repairing or replacing broken springs on your garage door, it’s best to let the professionals handle it. At The Garage Door Guy Corp, our team of experienced professionals is here to provide you with friendly service and to help with all of your garage door needs. We have locations all across Arkansas in Little Rock, Hot Springs Village, Hot Springs, Cabot, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Alexander, Malvern, and White Hall. Contact us to schedule your appointment for your residential or commercial property today!