Most people don’t give their garage door much of a thought until something goes wrong with it. This always seems to happen at the most inopportune times, too. Maybe it’s Monday before work and school or maybe it’s during a rainstorm when you want to park your car in the garage to avoid the nasty weather. Regardless, having a stuck garage door is no fun.
If your garage door sticks and won’t open or close all of the ways, you will want to do something about it sooner rather than later. Let’s look at some of the common issues and troubleshooting tips.
Stuck and Closed
If the garage door is stuck and closed with you on the inside, you can open the door manually in most cases. First, make sure that all locks and latches are unlocked, so it will be possible for the door to open in the first place.
You will then unplug the motor, which will disconnect the door opener from power. Locate the emergency release cord and pull it down. This is a red handle located in the middle of the door track. Only pull this down after you are sure the door is fully closed. You can then lift the garage door until it stops moving. Make sure the door fully stops before you let go, or it could crash back down.
Stuck Open
If the garage door is stuck open, you will want to check to see if the springs are broken before you do anything. If they are, you won’t want to touch the door. If the door is stuck open, pulling on the emergency handle can cause the door to fall quickly and it could cause damage to the door and even the floor. In these cases, it may be better to contact a professional.
Stuck Halfway
If the door only opens halfway or if it doesn’t operate smoothly, you will want to try to fully close the door, then pull the emergency handle and try to open it again. If the door opens manually, it likely means there is a problem with the door opener.
When in Doubt Contact Professionals
Garage doors are heavy, and they are potentially dangerous. They can cause serious injuries and even death. Instead of trying to handle these issues on your own, getting in touch with the garage door professionals at Stanley Exteriors is the smarter decision.
