How to Open a Garage Door Manually

Do you ever need to open or close your garage manually? Automatic garage doors are a nearly ubiquitous convenience. However, it is a different story when the power goes out or if you lose your remote. As a result, these doors can go from a helpful amenity to a headache. Luckily, there are simple ways to disconnect the door from its powered mechanism. That is where this article will be very useful.

How to Open a Garage Door Manually

Disconnect the door from the powered carriage

It sounds more intimidating than it is. However, all you need to do to disconnect the door from its powered mechanism is locate the emergency release cord. First, make sure your door is completely closed. Disconnecting it from its automated mechanism in an open position will cause the door to crash to the ground. That can cause damage to it and anything underneath.

Once it is closed, use a ladder or stand under your garage if the release cord is short enough. Next, look for a cord with a handle on the end hanging from the center rail of the garage. The cord is almost always red. Pull down on the cord. It will disengage the release level and allow the garage to move freely along the rail.

Open the garage door

This next step seems simple: open the garage door. First, make sure nothing is obstructing the rail. Next, make sure nothing can cause the door not to be able to run freely along it. If you are not noticing anything unusual, try lifting the door from the bottom with both hands. The door should be light and move easily. If it does not budge, ask a friend for help.

If the door starts and stops along the rail, you should try lubricating the door’s chain and rollers. That makes manual opening easier as well as increases the longevity of the door itself. Once you have got it off the ground, do not let go. Because your door moves freely along the center rail, it could easily fall. Instead, have someone open the door or prop it up using a sturdy object like a two-by-four if you have one handy. 

Reattach the release lever

Remove your car or whatever objects you need into or out of the garage, then let the door down easily. If your remote is still lost or power is not working, keep your garage door disconnected from its automation and lock it. When power is back on, or you have found your remote, it is time to reconnect the release level.

Locate the same emergency cord you pulled to disengage the release lever. To re-engage it, pull down on the cord in the same way. The lever will reconnect to the trolley that pulls your door up and down.

Safety Tips When Opening Your Garage Door Manually

Deactivate the automatic door opener to ensure safety before manually opening or reconnecting your garage door. If the power is restored, the opener might try to operate the door while disengaged, making reconnecting more difficult.

Do not pull the emergency release while the door is open. Instead, use the emergency release only when the door is closed. Otherwise, the door’s weight may cause it to fall. Before attempting to close the door, it is recommended to wait for your power to come back on or call a garage door specialist for assistance.

Garage Door Service Near Me

At Titan Garage Doors NE, we understand that a stuck garage door can be a real pain. That is why we offer our professional garage door repair services. We will visit your home or business to look at your garage door, troubleshoot the problem, and make the necessary repairs. Our team commits to providing our customers with the best garage door repair and maintenance service. So call us now, and we will make sure your garage door is working properly in no time.