If you have ever found yourself outside your home with a garage door that will not open or a power outage has left you without electricity to operate your garage door opener, knowing how to open a garage door manually is crucial. Manual operation of a garage door may seem intimidating, but with the right knowledge and tools, it can be done safely and efficiently. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on manually opening a garage door.
Steps to Open a Garage Door Manually
Now let’s get started with the steps to open a garage door manually:
Step 1: Verify that the door is safe to open
Before attempting to open your garage door manually:
- Make sure that it is safe to do so.
- Check that there are no obstructions along the door’s path and that it is not stuck or jammed.
- Test the door by pulling the emergency release cord (we will discuss this in detail in the next step) and lifting the door manually. If it moves smoothly and does not appear damaged or stuck, it is safe to proceed with the manual operation.
Step 2: Locate the emergency release cord
The emergency release cord is a red handle located on the garage door opener track near the top of the door. Pulling this cord disengages the trolley from the opener carriage, allowing you to lift the door manually. If you are unable to locate the emergency release cord, consult your garage door opener manual or contact a professional technician like Phillips Overhead, Inc.
Step 3: Pull the emergency release cord
Once you have located the emergency release cord, pull it down firmly to disengage the trolley from the opener carriage. You should hear a clicking sound, indicating that the trolley has been released. Keep a firm grip on the handle while performing the next step.
Step 4: Lift the door manually
With the emergency release cord pulled down, lift the garage door manually using both hands. Be careful not to use excessive force, as opening a heavy garage door can be dangerous. If the door feels too heavy to lift or does not open smoothly, stop immediately and contact a professional garage door technician.
Step 5: Secure the door in the open position
Once the door is open, you must secure it to prevent it from closing unexpectedly. Insert a solid object, such as a block of wood or a cinder block, under the door to keep it open. Alternatively, you can use locking pliers to hold the emergency release cord in the open position. This step is important for safety reasons, as an unsecured garage door could fall and cause injury or damage.
Step 6: Reconnect the trolley to the carriage
When you are ready to return to the automatic operation of your garage door, you will need to reconnect the trolley to the opener carriage. Pull the emergency release cord again and lift the door slightly until the trolley engages with the carriage. You will hear a clicking sound, indicating that the trolley is connected. Release the emergency release cord and test the door by pressing the garage door opener button. If the door operates smoothly, you have successfully reconnected the trolley to the carriage.
Manually opening a garage door safely and efficiently if you know the proper steps. However, suppose you are unsure about these steps or encounter problems manually opening your garage door. In that case, contacting a garage door technician is best. They’ll have the knowledge and experience to handle any garage door-related issues and can ensure that your garage door is operating safely and efficiently for years to come.
Contact Professionals at Phillips Overhead, Inc
It is important to note that contacting a garage door technician is always best if you are unsure about performing any of them. Phillips Overhead, Inc is a trusted provider of garage door services in our area, and they can help you with any garage door-related issues, including manual operation.
If you are uncomfortable with any of the following steps or encounter problems while attempting to open your garage door manually, we recommend stopping immediately and contacting Phillips Overhead, Inc for assistance. Contact us today for your garage door opener needs!