A broken garage door can be dangerous, especially a garage door that has a broken spring. The spring system, often referred to as a torsion spring, counteracts the weight of the door – sometimes weighing 400 pounds or more! Without this spring, the door has nothing to support its weight.

Garage door openers aren’t built to lift that kind of weight. Frankly, not many humans are built to lift that kind of weight either. So if you absolutely need to open the door before it can be repaired by a professional, use extreme caution.

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to open the door. It’s important to note that you will need another person to help you with this process. Before starting, make sure pets, little children, and everything else is well clear of the door. Unexpected slips or losing grip of part of the door could cause the whole thing to come crashing down.

Step #1: Get two ladders

Position a 6-foot step ladder on either side of the garage door. Have a friend or family member stand on one side, with you on the other. Then, insert a pry bar under the corner of the door between the floor and the door. Pull up so you can both grab the door at the underside. 

Make sure to disconnect the garage door opener from both the door and a power source. Pulling the cord with the red handle will allow the door to move freely. Just pull the plug to the opener, usually located relatively close to the opener. 

Step #2: Lift
You and your friend will need to lift the door together and make sure that it is equally balanced. Slowly lift it until it’s completely open, then use a pair of vice grips under both sides of the track below the bottom roller. Position both ladders under the garage door on each end, then grasp the door and get rid of the vice grips. Lower the door slowly to rest on the ladders.

A broken garage door can be a hassle and an inconvenience to your daily coming and goings. So, don’t delay in getting your garage door back to peak working condition. Our experienced team will gladly look at your door and see what we can do to get it repaired. 

If the spring needs to be replaced, we will get it installed quickly and accurately. Or perhaps your whole garage door needs a facelift. We have a variety of garage door styles that will fit your home’s unique design and most importantly, your budget. Contact us today for more information!