An electric garage door offers convenience and security. But what if there’s a power outage or a technical failure and you need to open your garage door manually? Don’t panic! In this article, we explain step by step how to manually open your electric garage door from the outside.
Why Manually Open an Electric Garage Door?
There are various situations where you might need to open your electric garage door manually. The most common reasons are:
- Power Outage: In a power outage, the electric motor of your garage door will no longer work.
- Technical Defects: Technical issues with the motor, control system, or sensor can also prevent the door from opening electrically.
- Dead Batteries: Some garage door openers have a backup battery. If this is dead, the door must be opened manually.
Regardless of the reason you need to manually open your garage door – with the right approach, it’s not a problem.
Step-by-Step Guide: Manually Open Electric Garage Door
Before you begin, make sure no one is in the danger zone of the garage door. Then follow these steps:
- Locate the Emergency Release: Most garage door openers have an emergency release. This is often marked in red and has a lock or a lever.
- Activate the Emergency Release: Depending on the model, you may need to flip the lever, unlock the lock, or press a button to activate the emergency release.
- Manually Open the Garage Door: Once the emergency release is activated, you can manually push the garage door upwards. Be sure to move the door evenly to avoid damage.
- Secure the Garage Door: When the garage door is fully open, you should secure it with a wedge or other object to prevent it from accidentally falling down.
Manually Opening Garage Door: A man activates the red emergency release on an electric garage door to open it manually.
“A common problem with garage doors is the lack of regular maintenance,” explains Michael Schmidt, an expert in garage door systems. “Regular inspections and maintenance can prevent many problems that lead to manual opening of the door.” (Source: Schmidt, M. (2023). Garage Doors: Maintenance and Repair)
What to Do If the Garage Door Won’t Open Manually?
If your garage door does not open manually despite using the emergency release, this indicates a more serious problem. In this case, you should definitely contact a professional.
Further Questions About Manually Opening an Electric Garage Door:
- How often should I test the emergency release of my garage door?
- Can I also manually open my garage door from the inside?
- What safety precautions should I take when manually opening the garage door?
You can find answers to these and other questions on our website autorepairaid.com. Visit us and learn more about garage door maintenance and repair!
Need Help With Your Garage Door?
Our team at Autorepairaid.com is happy to help you with any questions and problems you may have regarding your garage door. Contact us and let our experts advise you!
