You push the button, and instead of your garage door smoothly gliding open, you’re met with a jarring bang, a sudden stop, or a door that won’t budge. Chances are, you’ve just experienced a broken garage door spring.
This is a common issue for homeowners in Pleasant Grove, Utah, and beyond. While it can be alarming, your safety and the proper function of your garage door depend on knowing exactly what to do next – and more importantly, what not to do.
What Just Happened? Understanding Your Garage Door Springs
Your garage door isn’t lifted by the opener alone. The unsung heroes are the high-tension springs – either torsion springs (located on a bar above the door) or extension springs (running along the sides of the horizontal tracks).
These springs are under immense tension, constantly working to counterbalance the heavy weight of your garage door (which can weigh hundreds of pounds!). When they break, that stored energy is suddenly released, causing the loud noise and rendering your door inoperable. A broken spring means your opener is now trying to lift the entire weight of the door on its own, which it’s not designed to do.
Signs of a Broken Garage Door Spring:
- Loud Bang: Often sounds like a gunshot.
- Door Won’t Open: Or only opens a few inches.
- Door Slams Shut: If it manages to move at all.
- Crooked Door: One side may be hanging lower than the other.
- Visible Gap in Spring Coil: For torsion springs, you’ll see a clear separation. For extension springs, they might be stretched out or hanging oddly.
- Opener Straining: You’ll hear the motor hum, but the door barely moves.
Immediate Steps When a Garage Door Spring Breaks:
- DO NOT Attempt to Open or Close the Door: Whether manually or with the opener. This is the most crucial safety rule. Trying to force the door can cause further damage to your opener, other door components, or, worst of all, lead to serious injury.
- Disconnect the Garage Door Opener: Unplug the opener from the electrical outlet. This prevents anyone from accidentally trying to operate the door while it’s in a compromised state.
- Secure the Door (If Possible): If the door is partially open, try to brace it with sturdy objects or use vice grips on the tracks to prevent it from slamming down unexpectedly. Be extremely cautious and ensure no one is underneath it.
- Keep Children and Pets Away: Ensure they stay clear of the garage door until repairs are complete.
- Call a Professional Garage Door Service: This is the only safe and reliable solution.
Why You Should NEVER Attempt DIY Garage Door Spring Repair
This is not a DIY project. Period. The dangers associated with repairing or replacing garage door springs are severe and can lead to life-altering injuries or even fatalities.
- Extreme Tension: Garage door springs are under enormous pressure. This stored energy is equivalent to a coiled grenade. If released improperly, it can cause the spring to violently whip, sending metal shards flying or striking anyone in its path.
- Risk of Serious Injury: People have suffered broken bones, lost fingers, severe lacerations, head injuries, and even death from attempting DIY spring repair. The force is tremendous and unforgiving.
- Specialized Tools Required: Professionals use specific winding bars and tools designed to safely manage the spring’s tension. Substituting with standard household tools like screwdrivers is incredibly dangerous and often leads to catastrophic failure.
- Improper Installation Leads to More Problems: Even if you manage to avoid injury, incorrect spring installation can lead to:
- An imbalanced door, causing strain on your opener and other components.
- Premature failure of new springs.
- Further damage to the garage door system.
- Voided warranties on your door or opener.
- Weight of the Door: Without the counterbalancing force of the springs, your garage door is incredibly heavy. It can slam down suddenly, crushing anything or anyone beneath it.
Trust the Experts at DC Garage Doors in Utah County
When your garage door spring breaks, don’t risk your safety or further damage to your property. DC Garage Doors specializes in safe, efficient, and professional garage door spring replacement in Pleasant Grove, Utah, and throughout Utah County.
Our certified technicians have the training, experience, and specialized tools to handle both torsion and extension spring systems safely. We’ll diagnose the issue, replace the broken springs with the correct type and size for your door’s weight, and ensure your garage door is balanced and operating smoothly and safely.
Don’t wait. If your garage door spring has broken, call DC Garage Doors immediately for expert, safe, and reliable service. Your safety is our top priority!
Skip to content