Garage doors are an essential feature of modern homes. They protect your car and other possessions from the elements, provide a secure entrance to your home, and add to the overall aesthetic appeal of your property.
However, there may be times when you need to open your garage door manually, either because of a power outage or a malfunctioning opener.
In this article, we’ll show you how to manually open a garage door from both the inside and outside, provide safety tips, give insight if you need a professional garage door repair company, and offer guidance on resetting and reconnecting your opener.
How To Manually Open Garage Door From the Inside
So how to manually open garage door? If your garage door opener is malfunctioning or there’s a power outage, you can still open the garage door manually from the inside.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Locate the release handle On the garage door track, you’ll find a release handle. It’s usually red and has a cord hanging from it. Pulling the cord disengages the trolley from the opener carriage, allowing you to open the door manually.
Step 2: Pull the release handle Grasp the handle firmly and pull it down. You may need to use some force to overcome the resistance. You’ll hear a loud click, indicating that the trolley is disengaged.
Step 3: Lift the door With the trolley disengaged, you can now lift the garage door manually. Be careful not to strain yourself, as garage doors are heavy and can be difficult to lift.
Step 4: Secure the door Once the door is open, you’ll need to secure it in place to prevent it from closing unexpectedly. You can do this by placing a clamp on the track, or by placing a block of wood between the door and the track.
How To Manually Open Garage Door From the Outside
If you need to manually open your garage door from the outside, the process is slightly different.
Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Locate the emergency release kit If your garage door opener has an emergency release kit, you’ll need to locate it. The kit will usually consist of a key and a lock cylinder.
Step 2: Unlock the garage door Insert the key into the lock cylinder and turn it clockwise to unlock the garage door.
Step 3: Lift the door With the door unlocked, you can now lift it manually. Again, be careful not to strain yourself.
Step 4: Secure the door Once the door is open, you’ll need to secure it in place to prevent it from closing unexpectedly. You can use the same methods as outlined in the previous section.
Safety Tips for Manually Opening Your Garage Door
Opening a garage door manually can be hazardous if not done correctly.
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
- Be careful not to strain yourself when lifting the door. Garage doors are heavy and can cause injury if not lifted properly.
- Make sure the door is fully open before releasing it. If the door is only partially open, it can slam shut unexpectedly, causing injury or damage.
- Keep children and pets away from the garage door while it’s being opened or closed. They can get caught in the door’s mechanism and suffer serious injuries.
- Don’t try to open or close the door with one hand. Use both hands to ensure you have full control of the door.
- Always keep the release handle and emergency release kit in a safe and easily accessible location.
How to Reset a Garage Door After a Power Outage
If you experience a power outage, your garage door opener may need to be reset before it will work again.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Unplug the opener Unplug the garage door opener from the power outlet. This will reset the opener’s circuits
Step 2: Wait for a minute Wait for a minute to allow the opener’s circuits to reset fully.
Step 3: Plug the opener back in Plug the garage door opener back into the power outlet. The opener should power up and be ready to use.
Step 4: Test the opener Press the opener’s remote control button to test if the opener is working correctly. If the door doesn’t open or close, you may need to troubleshoot the problem.
How to Reconnect an Opener With an Automatic Trolley
If the garage door opener’s trolley has become disengaged from the carriage, you’ll need to reconnect it before you can use the opener again.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Locate the trolley Locate the trolley on the garage door track. It’s the part of the opener that moves back and forth to open and close the door.
Step 2: Move the trolley to the carriage Manually move the trolley to the carriage that’s attached to the garage door. The trolley should snap into place when it’s correctly aligned.
Step 3: Re-engage the release handle Push the release handle back into the engaged position. You should hear a click, indicating that the trolley is now connected to the opener carriage.
Step 4: Test the opener Press the opener’s remote control button to test if the opener is working correctly. The door should open and close smoothly.
How to Reconnect an Opener Without an Automatic Trolley
If your garage door opener doesn’t have an automatic trolley, you’ll need to reconnect it manually.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Locate the chain or belt Locate the chain or belt that connects the opener’s motor to the garage door.
Step 2: Reconnect the chain or belt Reconnect the chain or belt to the opener’s motor by aligning the sprocket on the motor shaft with the sprocket on the chain or belt.
Step 3: Test the opener Press the opener’s remote control button to test if the opener is working correctly. The door should open and close smoothly.
How to Avoid Needing to Open a Garage Door Manually
While it’s essential to know how to manually open a garage door, it’s also important to take steps to avoid needing to do so.
Here are some tips to help you avoid manually opening your garage door:
- Keep your garage door opener well maintained. Regular maintenance can help prevent malfunctions and extend the life of your opener.
- Invest in a backup power supply. A backup power supply can keep your opener running during a power outage, eliminating the need to open the door manually.
- Make sure your garage door sensors are functioning correctly. Faulty sensors can cause the door to malfunction, requiring manual intervention.
- Keep the garage door tracks clean and free of debris. Dirty or obstructed tracks can cause the door to get stuck or malfunction, requiring manual intervention.
Do I Need A Professional To Open Or Reset A Garage Door?
While knowing how to manually open a garage door can be useful, there are certain situations where it’s best to leave the job to the professionals.
In Clearwater, Florida, hiring a professional garage door repair company to help open a garage door manually can be a wise decision. Professional repair companies have the knowledge and experience needed to safely and efficiently open garage doors, even in challenging situations.
Attempting to open a garage door without proper training can be dangerous and potentially cause further damage to the door or opener. By hiring a professional repair company, you can have peace of mind knowing that the job will be done correctly and safely.
Additionally, many repair companies offer emergency services, so you can get help when you need it most.
Conclusion
Knowing how to manually open garage door is an essential skill for every homeowner.
Whether you’re dealing with a power outage, a malfunctioning opener, or a broken spring, being able to open your garage door manually can save you time, money, and frustration.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can open your garage door safely and easily from both the inside and outside.
Remember to always prioritize safety when working with garage doors and to take steps to avoid needing to open the door manually in the first place.
