How To Manually Open a Garage Door Without Power
If you have an automatic garage door opener, all it takes is one unexpected power outage to completely block your access to the garage. That is why it is important that you know how to manually open your garage door.
Our step-by-step guide will teach you how to manually operate a garage door. When you know how to manually open a garage door, you will always be able to gain access to your garage.
Pull the Emergency Release Cord
All automatic garage door opener systems come equipped with an emergency release cord. When pulled, this cord will disconnect and remove the actual garage door from the automatic garage door opener system.
Disconnecting the door from the automatic garage door opener system serves two purposes. First, it keeps you safe as it completely eliminates any possibility that there could be any electrical power coming to the system or door. Second, it is easier to manually open the garage door when it isn't connected to the automatic opener system.
What Does the Emergency Release Cord Look Like?
All emergency release cords look the same regardless of what type of garage door system you have installed. The emergency release cord is a bright red cord or cable with a giant handle that is located near the top of your automatic garage door opener system.
How you access the emergency release cord will vary depending upon your automatic garage door opener system. Some systems require you to use a small key to gain access to the emergency release cord while other systems simply keep the cord/cable tucked away and all you have to do is reach up to gain access to it.
How to Use the Emergency Release Cord to Detach the Garage Door
To detach the garage door from the automatic opener system using the emergency release cord, all you have to do is pull the cord or cable in a downward motion towards the ground until you hear a loud "click" sound. This simple motion will instantly detach the garage from the system and allow you to open the door manually.
Lift the Door Safely
Once the garage door has been detached from the automatic opener system, you can manually open and close the door.
Keep the following things in mind when manually opening a garage door:
- Always use the handles on the garage door - All garage doors have small handles along the bottom of the door. You will have better control over the garage door when you use the handles to open or close the garage door.
- Door will be heavy - Remember when opening the garage door, the door will be heavy at first, but will get lighter as you raise it above your head. The opposite is true when you close the door. It will feel light when you start to lower it, and it will get heavier as it reaches the ground.
- Lift with your legs - When lifting the garage door, make sure you lift with your legs. Meaning, you use your entire lower body to help you lift your garage door, not just your back. Lifting the garage door in this manner will help reduce your risk for injury.
- Don't put too much force or energy into opening the door - If you open the door with too much energy or force, you could cause the garage door to jump off the tracks and come crashing back down to the ground. Make sure you don't open it too forcefully.
Reconnect the Door to the Opener When Power is Back
Once power is back, you will need to reconnect the door to the automatic garage door opener system. If you don't reconnect it, you will have to continue to open and close the door manually.
In addition to having to continue to manually open and close the door, if you fail to reconnect the garage door to the system, you leave your garage unprotected as anyone can gain access to it.
Reconnecting the door to the opener is just as easy as detaching it from the system.
To reconnect the garage door to the opener system, do the following:
- Pull the emergency release cord down - This is the same emergency release cord you pulled to detach the door from the system.
- Move the emergency release cord towards the opener - While you pull down on the emergency release cord, you will want to move it in the direction that goes towards the opener. This will reattach the door to the system.
- Connect the power back to the system - If you have unplugged or disconnected the main power source to the opener system, it is important that you reconnect the power back to the system. Otherwise, the system will not work.
Safety Precautions During Manual Operation
When manually operating the garage door, it is important that you do the following to keep not only yourself, but your family safe:
- Keep the garage door closed as much as possible - Automatic garage door opener systems have safety features that prevent the door from unexpectedly crashing down to the ground. When you disconnect it from the system to manually open it, you take this safety feature away. It is best to keep the garage door closed as much as possible to keep everyone safe.
- Lock the garage door - A garage door that isn't attached to the automatic opener system will not automatically lock. If you want to keep your home and any items stored in the garage safe, you will need to manually lock the garage door either from the inside or the outside.
- Keep small children and animals away from the garage door when opening/closing it - Without the automatic garage door opener system, there are no sensors that will detect if a child or animal could be in the way of a closing garage door. Before you open and close the garage door, make sure everyone is out of the way.
Should you experience any problems with your garage door while trying to manually operate it, we encourage you to call Uplift Garage. Our friendly and experienced technicians are here to help. Call us today to speak with one of our experienced technicians.
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