How to Open a Garage Door Manually?

Garage doors provide security and storage, making them a vital component of the home. However, there will be a time when garage doors will occasionally experience malfunctions. This is why knowing how to open the garage door manually is crucial in this situation.

If you are unsure of the proper way of opening manually, this guide is for you. We will discuss the reasons, benefits, and the step-by-step process of how to open garage door manually, so keep on reading!

The Step-by-Step Guide on How to Open Garage Door Manually

Understanding how to open the door manually is tricky, especially if you cannot visualize them. So, to help you lay down the steps in mind, you can check this comprehensive guide by Everyday Home Repairs.

To understand how to open a garage door manually without any issues, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Ensure your safety

Before you open the garage door, it is important that you ensure your safety first. What you can do is check if the door is fully closed before trying to disengage with the opener. After you check that it is, also ensure that nobody is in your path or beneath the door because it can come off if the door is not properly attached on top. Additionally, you can wear gloves to protect your hands from any sharp objects. 

Step 2: Check if the door is in the down position

As mentioned, ensure that your door is fully closed in a down position before trying to open it. This is because it is very risky to open the door while the door is in an open position. This could cause the door’s entire weight to fall to the ground, especially if the springs are damaged or not properly attached. There could be an accident, damage to property, or a serious injury if this happens. 

Step 3: Find the emergency release cord

The next step you should do is to find the emergency release cord, which is often colored red. This emergency release cord hangs and dangles from the garage door’s opening. This red cord is also attached to the trolley, which joins the garage door via the middle track. 

There is also a garage door opener carriage that automatically slides the garage door along the door opener. In order to manually open the garage door, the emergency release cord will separate the trolley from the garage. However, before pulling the emergency release cord, ensure the garage door is closed. 

Step 4: Pull and unlock the emergency release cord

There is a tiny keyhole commonly placed at the bottom of the garage door where you can find this emergency release cord. After inserting the key, turn it counterclockwise and pull the cable, which will activate its release. 

Step 5: Unlock the door

There should also be another lock next to a handle in the middle bottom of your garage door. This lock can be opened using a key. In some cases, there is also a handle just above the lock. Turn the handle counterclockwise to make it vertical. 

Step 6: Lift the garage door manually

Then, you have to manually raise the garage door by grabbing the handle at the bottom. When you open the garage door, it will glide easily. Until the door stops moving, you have to keep pushing it upwards. In addition, you must also ensure that the garage door is fully open. This is to ensure that the door will not collapse if you open it halfway. 

Step 7: Close the garage door manually

After you park the car on the inside, you have to pull down the door from the inside. It is a must that you pull it gently to keep your door steady, even if it is heavy. Before leaving, lock it again and reset the automatic opener if the electricity is restored. 

Step 8: Attach the trolley to the carriage 

The last step in opening the garage door is to attach the trolley to the carriage by running the opener to a full cycle up and down. There should be a loud click to ensure that the trolley and carriage pass each other. In addition, you can also check if there are any more issues with the automatic opener. This is to ensure that this malfunction can be prevented in the future. 

Safety Measures to Take When Opening the Door Manually

Opening the garage door manually is physically challenging and, when not done right, can cause injuries and accidents. So, when you need to open the garage door yourself, here are the things you must remember:

• Keep your hands and fingers cleaner from the sharp edges of the door’s component by wearing gloves. 
• Make sure that there’s no person or animal near you when opening the garage door.
• Check if there are loose cables, springs, and rollers, which is an indication of wear and strain. If you see that it is dangerous to open yourself, contact a professional to help you. 
• You must bend when at the knees, so the pressure is in your legs when you are opening the garage door to avoid straining your back. 
• Lift the door slowly and gradually up to the top to prevent the parts from falling. 
• Check if the door is in a secured open position.
• Do not slam the door when you are closing it. 

Benefits of Opening Garage Door Manually

The following are some of the benefits you can get from opening your garage door manually:

Better Safety and Security

Opening the garage door manually is also beneficial, as you can control the movement precisely. If you need to stop the door at a certain height or want to open it gently, you can do so by opening the door yourself. Manual operation also eliminates the risk of snapping and abrupt movements, which can reduce the risks of accidents or damages. 

Energy Saving

Garage doors that open automatically would require a high amount of electricity to function. This is why if you want to save electricity, opening the garage door manually would be a practical solution, as it would lower your consumption. At the same time, during a power outage, you can still access your garage spaces, which can be useful in emergency situations. 

Maintenance and Inspection

It is easier to check and clean the garage door by manually opening and closing the door. You can also easily identify any issues in the automatic hardware, leading to a cost-effective and easy fix. 

Cost-effective

Opening the door manually is easy and doesn’t require any additional tools and expenses. This makes them a simple and affordable option, especially on a budget. 

Minimal Noise

Opening a garage door manually generates minimal noise compared to opening it automatically because of the noise coming from the motor. So, if you live in a quiet neighborhood or are always going home late, this option would be best. 

FAQs on How to Open Garage Door Manually

1. How do I open a garage door manually?

To open the door manually, you must first disconnect the automatic opener by opening the emergency release handle. After removing, slowly raise the door with both hands to ensure a secure and even opening. If the door feels stuck, it is important that you don’t force it, but rather, slowly support it while raising it. Then, reattach the door to the opener after using it. 

2. Can someone open my garage door manually?

When opening the door manually, the opener prevents just anyone from opening the door by locking it in a safe position as a safety precaution. However, in emergency situations, you can open the door manually by pulling the emergency release handle to remove the opener lock. 

3. How do you engage a manual garage door?

To re-engage the garage door, you must pull the emergency release handle, which is often red. The door can be manually attached to the carriage of the opener, or it can be automatically reattached by pressing the bottom. After you re-engage, you can continue to use the door. 

4. How does a manual up-and-over garage door work?

A manual up and over the garage door works by swinging outward and lifting upward. With the help of the handle or rollers in the upper corner, the panel can retract into the garage along the horizontal tracks when it is being raised. The door can be easily lifted by hand because of the spring and can be closed because of the locking mechanism. 

Conclusion

It is extremely helpful to understand how to open a garage door manually, especially if there are power outages and if the automated eye opener malfunctions. Even for a while, this tutorial can save you unnecessary problems in the future. 

If you’re having persistent issues with your garage doors, get in touch with Mannlee right now. Our team of experts can provide product solutions, so you won’t worry about getting outside your garage door.