If your garage door spring or cable breaks, you might be wondering how you can open the door. It’s not too difficult to do – here are a few steps to help you out.
In addition, we’ll cover how to troubleshoot whether it’s the cable or the spring that’s the problem, how to fix them, and how to prevent them from breaking in the future.
How Do You Open a Garage Door With A Broken Spring and Cable?
If your garage door spring or cable breaks, you might be wondering how you can open the door. It’s not too difficult to do – here are a few steps to help you out.
- Get a helper! Never attempt this alone. Garage doors are usually very heavy and it helps to have a second pair of hands if something goes wrong.
- Disconnect the door from the opener using the red cord. This is usually located near the top of the door.
- Lift the door until it’s in the full horizontal position.
- Use quick clamps to prevent the door from sliding back down.
How to Tell if The Cable Is Broken
If the door is hanging at an angle or lifts unevenly, it’s more likely that the cable has broken. To check, look at the springs to see if they’re still connected to the bottom brackets. If they are, then it’s probably the cable.
How to Tell if The Spring Is Broken
If the door is hanging straight down, it’s more likely that the spring has broken. To check, look at the cables to see if they’re still connected to the top brackets. If they are, then it’s probably spring.
Safety Precautions when Opening the Door
Although it’s not too difficult to open a garage door with a broken spring or cable, there are some safety precautions you should take.
First, as we mentioned before, be sure to have a helper with you. Second, make sure to disconnect the door from the opener before attempting to lift it. Third, use quick clamps (or something similar) to prevent the door from sliding back down. And fourth, be careful not to put any pressure on the door – it’s very heavy and can cause serious injury if it falls on you.
If you follow these steps, you should be able to safely open your garage door with a broken spring or cable. Once you’re done, you can either repair the problem or call a professional to do it for you.
How Much Does a New Spring Cost?
If you need to replace the spring, it will cost anywhere from $150 to $300. The exact price will depend on the type of spring you need and where you get it from.
If you want to save some money, you can try to find a used spring. However, we don’t recommend this because it’s very difficult to find a spring that’s the right size and tension. Plus, it’s not worth the risk – a broken spring can be very dangerous.
How Much Does a New Cable Cost?
If you need to change the cable, expect to pay anything from $50 to $100. The cost will vary depending on the type of cable you require and where you purchase it from.
What Causes Springs and Cables to Break?
There are a few different reasons why springs and cables might break.
One common reason is that they’re old and have been used a lot. Over time, they can become worn out and eventually snap.
Another reason is because of rust or corrosion. This is more common with springs than cables, but it can happen to either one.
A third reason is because of improper installation. If the springs or cables are installed incorrectly, they can put too much stress on the system and break.
Finally, if there’s a sudden temperature change (either hot or cold), it can cause the springs or cables to break. This is because they expand and contract with temperature changes, and if they’re not installed properly, they can become damaged.
How Can I Prevent My Springs and Cables from Breaking?
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your springs and cables from breaking.
First, be sure to have them inspected and serviced regularly by a professional. This will help identify any potential problems before they become serious.
Second, if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, be sure to have the system checked more frequently.
And third, make sure to only use reputable brands that offer high-quality products.
How Hard Is It to Replace a Garage Door Spring?
If you’re not experienced with this type of repair, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Replacing a garage door spring is not a difficult task, but it does require some knowledge and experience.
For a professional, it usually takes 2 – 4 hours to replace a spring. If you’re inexperienced, it could take you much longer.
Not only that, but if the job is not done correctly, it can be very dangerous. A broken spring can cause serious injury or even death. So unless you’re confident in your ability to do the job right, we recommend calling a professional.
Is It Dangerous to Replace a Garage Door Spring by Yourself?
As we mentioned before, replacing a garage door spring is not a difficult task. However, it is very dangerous. A broken spring can cause serious injury or even death.
So unless you’re confident in your ability to do the job right, we recommend calling a professional.
How Long Should the New Spring Last?
If you install the new spring correctly, it should last for approximately 10,000 cycles.
A cycle is defined as one opening and one closing of the door. So if you open and close the door once per day, the spring should last for approximately 14 years.
Of course, this is just an estimate – there are a lot of factors that can affect the lifespan of a spring.
For example, if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, the spring will likely not last as long.
Or if you use your garage door a lot more than average (multiple times per day), the spring will also likely not last as long.
How Hard Is It to Replace a Garage Door Cable?
It’s not hard to replace a garage door cable, but it is important to follow the instructions carefully and take all the necessary safety precautions. This job involves working with high tensions springs, which can be dangerous.
Make sure you read the instructions thoroughly before starting and always disconnect the power to the garage door opener before beginning any work.
If you’ve done your homework and followed the manufacturer’s instructions, as well as watched a video on Youtube for your brand garage door, you may expect to replace the cable in about 45 minutes to an hour.
How Long Should the New Cable Last?
A garage door cable should last anywhere from 5-7 years. Of course, this is just an estimate – there are a lot of factors that can affect the lifespan of a garage door cable.
Is It Dangerous to Replace a Garage Door Cable by Yourself?
It can be dangerous to replace a garage door cable by yourself if you are not familiar with the process and/or do not have the proper tools. Garage door cables are under a good amount of tension, so if they are not released properly, they can snap and send pieces flying in all directions.
In addition, if the cable is not replaced correctly, it can create more problems in the future. For example, if the cable is too tight, it could damage the tracks or springs on the garage door. Therefore, it is always best to leave this kind of repair to a professional.