Here at Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Atlanta, GA, we want to share with you how to open your garage door in the event of a power outage. These same instructions can be used if you are experiencing a power malfunction for some other reason, as well.
If you are in an area where the power is out, and you need to get your vehicle out of the garage, here’s what you need to do.
Pull The Emergency Release Handle
The basic thing you will need to do if your opener isn’t getting power, and that is to pull the emergency release handle. Not sure what that is or where it is located? Here’s what you need to look for.
There is a string that hangs from the track near the garage door. Typically, this string has a red handle on it so that you know it is for emergency. It is important that you do not pull the release unless it is necessary.
When you pull the emergency release, it will disconnect the drive from the trolley. That will allow you to freely open and close your door.
Take Pre-Cautions Before Pulling The Release
There are a few things you need to keep in mind before pulling the emergency release.
- Do not pull when the door is open- it is of utmost importance that you do not pull the handle if your garage door is open. If you do this, there is a chance that the door can fall off the tracks. This could cause fatal damage to you. Be sure that the door is closed.
- Make sure everyone is clear of the door- do not pull the release if there are people standing in the doorway. Also, be sure that there is nothing else blocking the way. If you do not pull the release while the door is opened, this should not be a concern.
- Don’t use the emergency release rope to close the door- it may seem sensible to use the rope to pull the door closed, but that is a dangerous idea. Rather than that, you should pull on the bottom of the door and guide it closed.
Re-Engage the Trolley
Once your power comes back on, you need to re-engage the trolley. Until you do this, you will have to open and close your door manually. In order to do this you will need to:
- Pull the handle back towards the opener so that the trolley is close to it
- The string should reconnect itself when you open or close the door either manually or with the opener
If you have problems re-engaging the trolley, be sure to contact us. The certified technicians here at Neighborhood Garage Door Service of Atlanta can fix this issue for you quickly.
The next time your power is out, you won’t have to worry about being able to get out of your garage. Also, it will allow you to get your vehicle in at the end of the day as well. Be sure to call us if you have need of any overhead door services in Atlanta. We are happy to help you in any way we can.
