A smoothly functioning automatic garage door makes life more convenient. It allows you to access your garage without a second thought — until you’re left stranded during an emergency. Whether due to a broken remote, a power outage, or a mechanical issue with the opening mechanism, knowing how to open your garage door manually can be invaluable in times like these.
At DoorTek Garage Door Service, we believe in empowering our customers with the information needed to handle their garage doors safely. That’s why we’ve created this guide on what to do when faced with a situation where you have to manually open your garage door. Plus, we’re always here with a range of garage door services, including emergency service, for when the challenge is too much or too unsafe to tackle on your own. Reach out to schedule an appointment for more garage door tips.
Situations Where Manual Operation May Be Necessary
Being prepared is crucial when it comes to any emergency situation. Let’s explore some of the most common instances when folks in Lynchburg, VA, and the surrounding area need to get their door open with elbow grease. Here are the emergencies you may encounter:
- Power outage: One of the most frequent causes of needing manual operation is a power outage. Without electricity, your automatic opener becomes unresponsive, leaving you with a sealed garage.
- Broken remote or opener malfunction: A broken remote or a failure in the opener’s internal components will leave you unable to open the door with the usual click of a button.
- Mechanical issues: The opening mechanism of an automatic garage door can experience wear and tear over time, leading to it jamming or refusing to open or close properly.
- Manual lock engagement: Sometimes, the manual lock becomes engaged accidentally, preventing the automatic opener from functioning.
What to Do When Opening Your Door Manually
Manually opening isn’t as easy as one, two, three. It involves several actions that are required for you to get safely inside.
Ensure Safety First
Before you manually open the door, make sure you and anyone nearby are out of harm’s way. Keep children and pets at a safe distance, as the door’s weight can be significant. Be mindful of your surroundings to avoid injury.
Locate the Emergency Release Cord
Next, you need to locate the emergency release cord. The cord is typically red, hanging from the opener mechanism near the center of the garage door track. The emergency cord disengages the automatic garage door opener, allowing you to manually open and close the door.
Pull the Emergency Release Cord
Once you’ve found the cord, gently pull it. Doing so will disconnect the door from the automatic opener. This allows the door to be operated manually. You’ll likely hear a click, indicating the opener is no longer engaged with the door.
Carefully Lift the Garage Door
After disconnecting the opener, you can now manually open the garage door. Stand with your feet firmly planted, and with both hands, lift the door carefully. Most garage doors have springs that will assist in the lifting, but you should still be prepared for the door’s weight.
Re-Engage the Opener
Once the power is restored or the mechanical issue with the opener is resolved, you’ll need to re-engage the automatic opener. To do this, simply pull the emergency release cord in the opposite direction. This will allow the opener to reconnect with the garage door, returning it to automatic operation.
What to Do If You’re Unable to Open the Door
If you find yourself unable to open the garage door even after following the standard manual operation steps, there are a few issues you might need to investigate further. First, check for any physical obstructions that may be blocking the door’s path. Sometimes, items stored in the garage or small debris near the door tracks can prevent the door from lifting properly. Additionally, the springs play a crucial role in the lifting process, so if one of the springs is broken, the door will feel significantly heavier and may be impossible to lift without assistance.
Another potential issue could be a manual lock. If the manual lock has accidentally been engaged, your efforts to open the door will be ineffective. Make sure the lock is disengaged before attempting manual operation again. If you’ve checked for obstructions, inspected the springs, and confirmed that the lock is disengaged, but the door still won’t open, the problem likely lies in the opening mechanism or another internal component. At that point, calling a professional for further assessment and repair is your best course of action.
Prevent Future Hiccups With Regular Maintenance Services
To minimize the likelihood of encountering manual operation challenges, it is crucial for you to schedule regular maintenance services. A qualified technician from our team can perform comprehensive inspections, identify potential issues, and implement preventative measures to ensure the smooth and reliable operation of the automatic opener.
Call for More Garage Door Operation Tips & Tricks
If you find yourself struggling to manage your overhead door or need expert advice on how to keep it functioning properly, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a consultation with our friendly staff.
