How to Open a Garage Door With a Broken Spring
One of the most common garage door problems is a broken spring. When this happens, it can be difficult to open and close your garage door without assistance. If you have a broken spring on one side, the best option would be to contact a professional for help. However, if you are unable to get someone out quickly and both springs are broken or missing entirely, there are some things that you can do until the problem gets fixed. The following article will show you how to open a garage door with a broken spring and no manual opener panels in place.
12 Ways on How to Open a Garage Door With a Broken Spring
In this blog post, we’ll show you around 12 different ways to open a garage door with a broken spring.
Using Screwdrivers and Wires
If one of the springs on your garage door breaks, you can still open the door by following this method. You will need a screwdriver, some wires, and an electric drill. First, remove the screws that hold the door in place. Next, disconnect the wires from the door. Finally, use the electric drill to make a hole in the door.
If your garage door spring broke off and is stuck halfway through the loop, put one screwdriver in the loop as close to the spring’s arm as possible. Then slowly push the other screwdriver into the spring until it is loose. Then pull out both of them slowly.
Using an Ice Pick
This way works very similarly to the one described above with two differences. First, you use an ice pick instead of a screwdriver. Second, you don’t have to make holes with the drill in your garage door.
Push the pointy end of the ice pick into the loop and slowly pry it open until it is unstuck from the rest of the door. You can also try to do it with a screwdriver, but we found that an ice pick is better suited for this job.
Using a Hammer and a Screwdriver
This way also works by forcing one end of the string through the loop in your garage door’s chain link. The only difference between it and method number one described above is that you’ll use a hammer and a screwdriver instead of a drill.
Using Pliers
This way is similar to the one described above with a couple of differences. Firstly, you don’t have to make holes in your door to hold the wires in place within it at all. Instead, simply take the wire and loop it around your pliers’ jaw (or anything similar).
Then pull out the garage door’s spring with your other hand while holding it in place until you’re sure it won’t move again. Secondly, you can use pliers to open more than one spring at once. Loop all of them together and then pull them out by turning your pliers to the side and pulling them out with your hands.
Using a Long Hook or a Towel Rack
Hook both of your garage door springs onto something stiff enough to not give way under pressure. This could be a long hook or a towel rack that extends far enough from the wall to keep your springs on if you mount them properly.
After that, use some kind of lever (a screwdriver, for example) to pry open the garage door’s chain while keeping it as close to the wall as possible. And then pull them out in the opposite direction you need them to go. Of course, make sure you don’t hit yourself or anyone else nearby while doing that!
Using a Pole
A pole is a very stable way to hold your garage door open while you remove its springs. All you need is any wooden or metal pole that can withstand significant pressure. Of course, you also need a screwdriver or something else to pry the springs open with.
Once you have everything ready, attach your pole inside the garage door’s loop using some screws and bolts that can withstand serious pressure (such as stainless steel). Then hold it in place with your hands while using the screwdriver to slowly pry out one of the springs. And then slowly pull it out from the rest of your door.
Using an Upholstery Hoop
You don’t have to get anything special for this one. Just use a small wooden hoop from your home. It will work just as well as any other device with a hook or handle, and you can make it look nicer later!
Simply hook one of your garage door springs onto the hoop and pull on its end while holding the door’s other end in place. Again, you can use several of these hoops if you have more than one spring to remove!
Using a Rubber Band
Simply loop your garage door springs onto an elastic band and pull them out from the opposite direction they would go if they were attached to anything. This works really well for garage doors with many springs since you can simply remove several of them at once.
If your door has only two or three springs, then you’ll need to loop all of them onto a single rubber band and then pull it out slowly! If you have a spring that is hard to take through the door, use several rubber bands and loop them onto each other!
Using an Allen Wrench
Using an Allen wrench will work just as well as using a screwdriver or an ice pick. After all, this way of opening a garage door with broken springs is very similar to the one where we used an ice pick. Also, you can try using an Allen wrench on a door that has only one spring. You’ll need to pry off the loop and pull out the loop’s wire before getting your wrench into them.
Using a T-Handle (T-Wrench)
This one also works by prying the loop at the end of your garage door’s string open. However, this tool has a T-shaped, not straight and flat form, making it easier to fit under objects like springs than a straight screwdriver would. So, just like the Allen wrench, you’ll need to pry off the garage door’s loop and pull out the spring from beneath it.
Things To Consider When Opening a Garage Door With a Broken Spring
- Use a good quality handle with strong attachment points.
- Do not stand under the garage door when opening it. You never know if there are weakened areas that will give way and cause injury or property damage.
- Check out the area around the spring for any hidden dangers and ensure nothing can interfere with your safety or property damage.
- Ensure the door is visible during the entire opening process; removing the trolley from its track can aid you in this matter.
- Work with only one side of the garage door at a time and never work with both sides open if possible, as this could increase your risk of injury or property damages.
- If there are children in the area, it is recommended to have them watched by a responsible adult. They stay out of the work area completely on having multiple people work at once as you never know when something will give way and cause injury or property damage.
- Ensure no other power tools are in use and that there are no open flames in the work area.
- Be sure your power tools are switched off before attempting the procedure if you have to use them.
- Always wear protective gear when working on or around a garage door as they can be dangerous if not used properly; personal safety should always come first.
- Never work on a garage door in the middle of a storm, or if you are feeling tired, your concentration and safety are compromised when these conditions occur.
Can You Manually Open a Garage Door With a Broken Cable?
It will depend on the type of broken cable as to whether it can be manually operated. For example, a standard garage door has two cables, one for each side of the door. There is also a chain that joins both sides together at the top of the track (see image).
The other end of each cable is attached to the door itself, also at the top of the track. The chain and cables are pulled taut by a spring in each end cap attached to the door frame. This makes sure that there is an even amount of weight on both sides of the garage door opening, and it opens evenly from both ends.
Conclusion:
It can be difficult to figure out how to open a garage door with a broken spring. You can try many different things, but the most common solutions involve using either rope and pulleys or pliers. You may also need some help from someone else if your car is stuck in the garage as well!
If none of these methods seem like they will work for you, it’s time to call professionals who specialize in this type of repair. With these quick tips, we hope that opening the door becomes less stressful than before! Have any other helpful hints for people who have had problems like this in their own homes? Share them below!
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
