Understanding how to manually operate your garage door is essential to prevent being trapped inside or outside. Severe weather can lead to power cuts, rendering electric garage doors inoperative without a backup battery. Regardless of whether you're attempting to enter or exit, manual control is vital.
Common Garage Door Issues
Reasons that cause Garage Door Issues are:
- Depleted batteries
- A power outage
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Unplugged power cord
- The garage door off its track
- Disconnected trolley
- Broken garage door spring
- Malfunctioning motor
While you cannot control a power outage, you can reset a tripped circuit breaker. Reinserting an unplugged power cord is straightforward.
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Emergency Procedures for Manual Garage Door Operation
Emergency Release
Locate the emergency release lock and its key. This lock is positioned near the top of the garage door. Find the lock and then identify the key that was provided with it. The key is required to open the door from outside. The emergency lock is located near the center. A key is required to open it from the outside, but you can always open it from the inside.
Emergency Unlock
Turn the key counterclockwise. Once the cord pops out, pull it towards yourself.
Central Lock
Now, take the key you used earlier and locate the central lock above the handle on your garage door. Insert the key, move it clockwise, and remove the key when the lock is vertical.
Manual Operation
Crouch down and lift the handle located at the base of the door. Gently slide the garage door upward until it reaches its limit. Ensure it opens fully to prevent any potential falling if left partially open. After entering, exit the vehicle and manually lower the door. Use the key to secure both locks, ensuring you can easily open the garage when power is restored.
Safely Operating a Garage Door Manually
When manually operating a garage door, prioritize safety:
Disconnect the Automatic Opener
Unplugging it prevents accidental activation when you manually operate the door, especially if power returns unexpectedly.
Know when to seek professional help.
Difficulty moving the door after disengaging the trolley could indicate spring issues, which are hazardous to handle alone.
Avoid Using the Emergency Release When the Door is Open
Doing so could cause the door to slam shut due to its weight; wait for power to return or call a technician for assistance.
Supervise the Open-Door
Without the automatic opener engaged during a power outage, ensure the door remains clear and be cautious of it closing unexpectedly.
Utilize the Manual Lock
Secure the door with the metal manual lock provided near it during power outages when the automatic lock is inactive.
Monitor for Operational Issues
After reconnecting the door, any shaking or uneven movement suggests potential problems requiring professional inspection.
Manual Reconnection of Trolley to Overhead Track
Once the power comes back on, you need to reconnect the trolley to the overhead track. Some models reconnect automatically. If you have one of these, just close the door all the way and start the door opener. The process happens by itself. On other models, you pull the emergency cord sharply in the direction of the door. This releases a spring-loaded lever, and the trolley snaps back onto the track.
Consult your owner's manual to see which method your door requires.
Cost Estimates for Garage Door Repairs
While some minor repairs, such as greasing the rollers, can be done for as little as $100 or less if done yourself, larger repairs may cost up to $700 if hiring a professional garage door repair service. Typically, people spend around $250 or slightly more for common issues such as fixing a broken remote or replacing damaged springs or wires.
Garage Door Maintenance for Smooth Operation
Beyond occasional issues like refusing to open or close, proactive measures can keep it functioning smoothly. Checking the door's balance is vital, if it makes loud noises, it might be unbalanced. To test, pull the emergency release cord, lift the door halfway manually, it should stay in place and be level. If not, professional help may be needed. The photo-eye sensor, a safety feature in automatic doors, prevents closure if obstacles are detected.
However, it can be overly sensitive to dust and cobwebs, affecting door operation. Regular cleaning resolves this issue. Annually, lubricate moving parts like rollers, springs, and hinges to maintain smooth operation and tighten any loose bolts or screws. Ensure remote control batteries are always stocked to prevent sudden failures. These maintenance practices extend the lifespan of your garage door, reducing the likelihood of costly replacements.
While DIY maintenance is crucial, nothing beats a professional’s touch. Schedule an annual inspection and tune-up with a reliable garage door service in Oklahoma. They’ll catch problems you might miss and keep your door in tip-top shape.
Conclusion
Technology is undoubtedly beneficial, yet it occasionally falters, prompting us to back up our hard drives and upload phone photos to the cloud. Similarly, when garage doors fail to open, there's no need to panic about being late due to a stuck car. Most modern garage doors feature a release cord for manual opening, which ensures that you can open the garage door by yourself.
