How to open my garage door (opener, springs, appliance, install)

[schu0786]

Hi everyone! I just purchased my first home (had it built), and I have a few questions, but the first one I'd like to ask concerns my garage door:

My builder installed (for a pretty penny) a garage door opener. Now, during my walk-through, I noticed that there was no exterior handle on the door, so I asked: how do I open the garage door if the power goes out? He didn't have an answer; he just said: "you don't". Can that possibly be true? If my electricity goes out, is my car stuck inside of my garage with no way of opening up the door??? Is there anything I can buy for or alter in the garage door mechanism that will allow me to raise it manually should the power go out? I just feel very uncomfortable with the way it is now.

Thanks for your help!

[littlelou]

there should be a rope attached and if you pull the rope down, it will release the door, of course you have to manually lift AND HOLD it open and slowly let back down, but you can get your car out.

Just remember, there are no springs to assist in the lifting and it is HEAVY!!!

[Uconn97]

Some are still installed with springs and the newer doors are much lighter than the old wood ones. littlelou is correct though - you pull on the rope (there should be one swinging right under the mechanism) and this releases the door from the opener mechanism. You should then be able to lift the door up. We have had to do this before for power outages and the door stays up just fine. To set the mechanism back up when the power is back on you simply hit the opener and the mechanism meets up with the door and reattaches itself.

[schu0786]

Oh good! I will test it out this afternoon. Thanks so much for your help. That seems like something my builder's rep should have known.

[crazyma]

If it is new, IMO the operational manual should have been left with it. (along with those for appliances, etc.) You might be able to find it online though.
good luck..enjoy your new home!

[schu0786]

I agree, but I didn't find it in the drawer where they left the instructions/warranties for the other appliances and systems. They also failed to put a light bulb inside of the garage door opener's case where one is supposed to go.

[nynraleigh]

damn, who is your builder, sounds like they didn't do a thorough walk-through with you...my walk through on my new construction, was very detailed and they went through everything, I thought it was too long, lol including the garage door/opener and emergency release...congrats on your home

[Bydand]

Springs are always left on the door when an opener is used. If they are NOT on, then the installed didn't do the job correctly. The opener is there to just OPEN the door not LIFT the weight of the door. You should be able to lift a properly installed garage door with one hand no matter the size. Yes, I did install overhead (garage) doors for a few years for a living and have installed thousands of them. Do not put an interior slide lock on the door thinking it is more secure. It is NOT and if you forget, or somebody bumps it and you use the opener, it can damage the top panel (costly oops.)

The rail of the opener will have a slider something like this: It will have a rope attached (Usually red) that you give a pull on and it releases the opener arm from the opener rail and allows you to open the door manually.

[Coldjensens]

1. Start your car.
2. PLace the gear lever in reverse.
3. Release the brake while tromping heavily on the accellerator


VIOLA! Garage door is open!

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

1. Start your car.
2. PLace the gear lever in reverse.
3. Release the brake while tromping heavily on the accellerator


VIOLA! Garage door is open!

You're joking, but I have replaced 3 doors over the years due to people doing just that. You should see the look on their faces when I show them the release (along with the bill for the new door, and usually some trim work as well.)