Stuck in the garage with no good way out

pinballlooking · 04-14-17, 10:04 AM

I have a 20’ x 8’ garage door on my barn. It was opening part way when I helped it would open the whole way. I was going to adjust the door opener. This side of the garage does not have a door it has two windows in the back that latch on both sides so no one can break in.

When I go in to adjust it I close it with the switch that is ½ way down the wall maybe 15 ‘away from the door. Whack the spring on the one side breaks. I try to open the door it only opens a couple inches.

I was like no problem I pull release cable and get out of here. Will I pull the release and I cannot lift the door it is just too heavy without the spring helping. I did not see that coming. I think I can push the switch and help lift maybe it can get it open. I put two pieces 1 ¼” conduit together trying to push the switch and open the door. This did not work. I did have cell phone and I beeped saying low battery. My family is on spring vacation so I was on my own.

Then I went to the switch pushed the switch and put the conduit under the door. Pushed the switch it opened a couple more inches I pushed the conduit more At this point it was pushing the conduit down so I got a leg from a cherry picker and put it under the door I was able to do this a few cycles. I finally got the door open what it look like I could squeeze through that opening. I was able to get out and glad to be out of the garage.

shellbark · 05-05-17, 09:43 AM

Good thing, you didn't panic.

Xringer · 06-12-17, 08:40 PM

Wow.. The Great Escape! When you explained the problem, I started wondering if
you had a hydraulic floor jack in there with you.. I have two in my garage..

I also have a side entry door..

My OHD installer didn't include safety cables. (Prevents flying springs).
I didn't even know such a thing existed. After the Bang! I learned.
Yeah, seeing large the dent that a broken flying spring made in a 2x4, I added the cables..
I highly recommend them.. Odd, it's been over a dozen years and no more broken springs.?.

pinballlooking · 06-27-17, 12:11 PM

I just did a fix on the spring. I am not sure how long it will last but I gave it a shot.

The spring broke at the outside. Maybe 6 or 7 coils. I took my plasma cutter and cut off the bad coils.
Then put the cone back on the spring. I tension the spring and it is back to working again.
I have never tried to this before and if it breaks again I will just get new ones.

We do not use this garage door every day so hopefully it will last for a while. It took more time to do this fix than I thought it would but it is done now.

It opens and closes fine now.

04-14-17, 10:04 AM	#1
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	Stuck in the garage with no good way out I have a 20’ x 8’ garage door on my barn. It was opening part way when I helped it would open the whole way. I was going to adjust the door opener. This side of the garage does not have a door it has two windows in the back that latch on both sides so no one can break in. When I go in to adjust it I close it with the switch that is ½ way down the wall maybe 15 ‘away from the door. Whack the spring on the one side breaks. I try to open the door it only opens a couple inches. I was like no problem I pull release cable and get out of here. Will I pull the release and I cannot lift the door it is just too heavy without the spring helping. I did not see that coming. I think I can push the switch and help lift maybe it can get it open. I put two pieces 1 ¼” conduit together trying to push the switch and open the door. This did not work. I did have cell phone and I beeped saying low battery. My family is on spring vacation so I was on my own. Then I went to the switch pushed the switch and put the conduit under the door. Pushed the switch it opened a couple more inches I pushed the conduit more At this point it was pushing the conduit down so I got a leg from a cherry picker and put it under the door I was able to do this a few cycles. I finally got the door open what it look like I could squeeze through that opening. I was able to get out and glad to be out of the garage. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-12-17, 08:40 PM	#3
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,918 Thanks: 114 Thanked 250 Times in 230 Posts	Wow.. The Great Escape! When you explained the problem, I started wondering if you had a hydraulic floor jack in there with you.. I have two in my garage.. I also have a side entry door.. My OHD installer didn't include safety cables. (Prevents flying springs). I didn't even know such a thing existed. After the Bang! I learned. Yeah, seeing large the dent that a broken flying spring made in a 2x4, I added the cables.. I highly recommend them.. Odd, it's been over a dozen years and no more broken springs.?. __________________ My hobby is installing & trying to repair mini-splits EPA 608 Type 1 Technician Certification ~ 5 lbs or less..

06-27-17, 12:11 PM	#4
pinballlooking Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 172 Thanked 564 Times in 463 Posts	I just did a fix on the spring. I am not sure how long it will last but I gave it a shot. The spring broke at the outside. Maybe 6 or 7 coils. I took my plasma cutter and cut off the bad coils. Then put the cone back on the spring. I tension the spring and it is back to working again. I have never tried to this before and if it breaks again I will just get new ones. We do not use this garage door every day so hopefully it will last for a while. It took more time to do this fix than I thought it would but it is done now. It opens and closes fine now. __________________ Current project Aquaponics system , Passive Solar Greenhouse build To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Solar Install 12.5 Kwh- To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Mini Split installs - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EV Chevy Volt - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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05-05-17, 09:43 AM	#2
shellbark Lurking Renovator Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Good thing, you didn't panic.