When your garage door is working properly, you have nothing to worry about. You can easily get in and out of the garage without a hustle. Knowing that your car and other items are safely housed in the garage is indeed a good feeling and you can sleep at ease.
However, at times, the garage door may decide to misbehave due to a broken spring. When your garage door is broken, it might refuse to open at all or just open half way. You need to know the best hacks to help you open the door just before you make arrangements to have it repaired.
Here are a few tips to follow on how to open your garage door with a broken spring.
How do I Know if my Garage Door Spring is Broken?
First things first, in order to operate a garage door with a broken spring; you need to be able to know when your garage door spring is broken. On average, most garage doors weigh between 150 and 250 pounds.
This weight is supported by the spring. The spring tension on your garage door may lead to its breakage.
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If the spring is broken, you will see a split in the spring if you look at it, the automatic door opener will be unable to open the door and if you disconnect the automatic opener, the door cannot as well be opened manually.
To help you open your garage door with a broken spring, you will need 2 six-foot ladders, heavy duty clamps, crowbars and a friend(s) to help you in lifting the door.
1. Put two crowbars below the door
It is nearly impossible to lift a garage door without a spring. That is why you need levers and some muscle.
Look for any possible sealing below the garage door and put two crowbars under the garage door.
With the help of a friend, slip two heavy duty crowbars below the door using any opening available under the garage door. Make sure you get leverage.
2. Lift the garage door up
Carefully lift the door up using the crowbars. You should be extra careful during this step. Any wrong move may damage the door or may lead to an injury.
3. Clamp the garage door in place
Once the door is way up, use two heavy duty vice clamps to clamp it in position. Ensure that the clamps can be able to withstand the pressure exerted by the garage door. Attach the clamps underneath the lowest roller on the door to help hold the door in place.
4. Support the garage door with ladders
While the clamps are in place, quickly put the ladders on either side of the door to help hold the garage door up. You can leave the clamps as an extra precaution to help hold the door up.
Remember to put the ladders in a position where you can be able to get your car out easily. Get everything you want to get out as quickly as possible.
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Most often, the spring tension on your garage door is what leads to its breakage. Ensure that you use a strong spring that can withstand the weight of the garage door. Remember, the above steps are just a temporary remedy. Once you are out, make arrangements with the garage door repairman to have your garage door repaired or replaced.