A broken garage door spring is unmistakable—you've likely heard a loud bang, and now your door won't open properly. Here's exactly what to do to stay safe and get back to normal as quickly as possible.

Immediate 3-Step Guide

STOP Using the Door

Do not press the opener button again. Do not try to manually force the door open or closed. The door is now extremely heavy and unbalanced—attempting to move it risks serious injury and can damage your opener motor.

Pull the Emergency Release (If Safe)

Only if the door is fully closed: Pull the red emergency release cord to disconnect the opener. This prevents the motor from trying to lift the unbalanced door. Never do this if the door is partially open—it could crash down.

Call Deer Garage Door

Contact us immediately at (469) 248-7053 for same-day emergency service. We'll safely handle the broken spring and get your door working again—usually within hours.

Critical Safety Warning

Garage door springs are under extreme tension—up to 400 pounds of stored energy. They should ONLY be handled by licensed professionals. Attempting DIY repair can result in severe injury or death.

What NOT to Do

Do NOT try to manually lift the door

Without spring assistance, a standard door weighs 300-400 pounds. Lifting it risks back injury, and if you lose your grip, it will crash down.

Do NOT attempt to repair or remove the spring yourself

Even a broken spring retains dangerous tension. The winding cones, cables, and drums all pose serious hazards without proper tools and training.

Do NOT continue using the opener

The motor is designed to move a balanced door (10-15 lbs of effective weight). Without springs, it's trying to lift 400 lbs—this burns out motors within seconds.

Do NOT use props or boards to hold the door open

Makeshift supports can fail without warning. A 400-pound door falling can destroy vehicles and cause life-threatening injuries.

What to Do If Your Car is Trapped Inside

This is a common concern, and there are safe solutions:

Call for same-day service: We prioritize calls where vehicles are trapped and can often arrive within 1-2 hours
Use an alternative exit: If your garage has a side door, you can still access your car—just don't try to move the main door
Wait for professional help: A technician can safely prop and secure the door while making repairs

How Did This Happen?

Garage door springs have a limited lifespan measured in "cycles" (one cycle = one open + one close):

Standard springs: 10,000 cycles (about 7 years of average use)
High-cycle springs: 25,000-50,000 cycles (15-25+ years)

Factors that accelerate spring failure include:

Extreme Texas temperature swings (metal fatigue)
Lack of lubrication (increased friction)
Rust or corrosion
Poor quality replacement springs
Improper initial installation

What to Expect from Professional Repair

When our technician arrives, they will:

1. Safely secure the door in its current position
2. Inspect all components for additional wear or damage
3. Remove the broken spring using proper tools
4. Install new spring(s) and calibrate tension for your door's weight
5. Test balance and operation to ensure smooth, safe function
6. Lubricate all moving parts to extend the life of the new springs

Pro Tip: Replace Both Springs

If one spring broke, the other is typically near the end of its life too. Replacing both springs together costs only marginally more than one (since labor is the same) and prevents you from needing another repair in 6-12 months.

What to Do If Your Garage Door Spring is Broken