Trying to figure out how to get your car in or out of your garage during a power outage can be quite a frustrating situation. When you’re dealing with a power outage, it is important to know how to properly and safely open your garage door in order to refrain from any unnecessary injuries or damaged products. Keep reading to learn more about how to open your garage door during a power outage! 

How to Manually Open Your Garage Door

Whether you’re trapped inside with no way to get your car out of the garage or you’ve arrived home only to realize you can’t pull your car into the garage, a garage door that won’t open or close is a hassle. Next time you find yourself experiencing a power outage and you need to get in or out of your garage, follow these few simple steps to help pull your garage door open successfully.

Opening the Door From the Inside:

  1. Unlock the garage door. 
  2. Unplug your garage door opener. Make sure that you disconnect the power cord.
  3. Find the emergency release cord. To locate the emergency release cord, look for the red handle that is hanging from the center rail of the garage door track. Ensure that you only use the emergency release handle when the garage door is in a closed position. 
  4. Pull the emergency release cord. The cord will disconnect the garage door from the trolley and allow it to be moved manually. 
  5. Lift your garage door carefully. Pull up straight from the bottom until your garage door stops moving. Make sure that the garage door stays in place before backing any vehicles in or out of the garage. 
  6. Close the garage door. After successfully entering or exiting the garage, close the garage door by pulling it down carefully. If your garage door has a lock bar, manually slide it to the lock position.

Opening the Door From the Outside: 

  1. Start by locating the emergency release kit. Most garage doors have a lock centered near the top. Use your key to get the emergency release cable out. 
  2. Unlock your garage door. Below the emergency release kit lock, there is another lock located next to a handle. Use your key to unlock the door and turn the handle so that it is vertical. 
  3. Lift the garage door. Manually lift the door straight up. Make sure that the garage door stays in place before moving anything into or out of the garage. 
  4. Close the garage door. Once you have successfully entered or exited the garage, carefully pull the garage door down to a closed position. 

Safety Tips for Manually Opening Your Garage Door

If you are planning to manually open your garage door, it is important that you take any necessary precautions and safety measures. When opening your garage door by hand, keep these safety tips in mind: 

 

  1. Unplug the automatic door opener in the garage. If the power were to come back on while you are working on the garage, the opener might attempt to open the garage door while it is disengaged; this can make the garage door harder to reconnect. 
  2. Make sure that you do NOT under any circumstances pull the emergency release cord when the garage door is in an open position. Pulling the emergency release cord while the garage door is open could cause the garage door to come crashing down. 
  3. Ensure that you never leave the open garage door unattended. If the power is out and your garage door is disengaged from the automatic opener, nothing is keeping the door from slamming shut. 
  4. Use the manual lock on your garage door. If you are experiencing a power outage, make sure to slide the manual lock into place in order to keep your home protected. 
  5. Know when it’s time to call a professional garage door technician. Garage doors and their springs can be very difficult to work with. If you are having problems with your springs, you will need the help of a professional. 

Let the Professionals Lend a Hand

While it is possible to open your garage door during a power failure, it is highly recommended that you contact a professional for help. Our team of professionals at The Garage Door Guy Corp is here for your convenience and peace of mind. Whether you are in need or a repair or replacement, we have you covered! Contact our office today at 501-412-2475 with all of your garage door repair or installation needs. 

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