How to Manually Close A Garage Door

Having a garage is a luxury as it is a place to stay dry from weather elements and also serves as a place of storage. Some people even use it as another room in the home. Whatever you may use it for, sometimes the garage door won’t open and you may need to manually close it. Wondering how to manually close the garage door? You can use the emergency release cord, disconnect the opener from the door, or use vice grips or pliers.

Let’s take a look.

Reasons You May Need to Manually Close Your Garage Door

There are a few common reasons why you may need to manually close your garage door:

1. A broken spring
2. Broken or loose door cables
3. A door that has dislodged off its track
4. Experienced a power outage
5. A malfunctioning garage door remote

How to Use a Garage Door Emergency Release Cord

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to manually close your garage door, one option is to use the garage door emergency release cord. This cord is typically red and located near the top of the garage door opener.

To use the emergency release cord, follow these steps:

1. Locate the emergency release cord.
2. Pull down on the cord with a firm and steady motion until you hear a click or feel the door become disengaged from the opener’s carriage assembly.
3. Carefully lift the garage door by hand to close it.
4. Once the door is closed, re-engage the door to the opener’s carriage assembly by pulling the cord again, but this time towards the opener.

What to Do If Your Emergency Release Cord Breaks?

If you find that your emergency release cord is broken or not functioning properly, do not panic. There are still alternative methods to manually close your garage door. Some options include:

1. Disconnecting the opener from the door by removing the attachment bracket or arm.
2. Using vice grips or pliers to grip and lift the door by the track.

Other Recommended Maintenance

Now that you know about manually closing a garage door, let’s take a look at a few other areas of maintenance.

One of those is fixing a garage door cable. Sometimes these break so you need to find out the type of cable and also how it broke to figure out how to fix it.

Another is cooling a garage with no windows. In order to do this, you will need a portable air conditioning unit, wall insulation, or ventilation system.

Lastly, garage outlets need to be GFCI’s. This is because the National Electricity Code says that GFCI-protected outlets are required for garages as they protect against electric shock.

When Do I Contact a Professional?

While manually closing a garage door can be done in certain situations, it is important to know when it is necessary to contact a professional for assistance. You should consider calling a professional if:

1. You are unsure about how to safely close the door manually.
2. The emergency release cord is broken or not functioning properly.
3. The garage door is damaged or needs repairs.

Seeking professional help ensures that any potential risks or further damage are minimized during the process.

Conclusion

Knowing how to manually close a garage door can be helpful in various situations, such as power outages or equipment malfunctions. By understanding the reasons why you may need to manually close your garage door and following the proper steps using the emergency release cord, you can safely and effectively close your garage door. However, if you encounter any difficulties or are uncertain about the process, it is best to contact a professional for assistance. Reach out to Boggs Inspection Services to get a home inspection completed in Lacey, WA, and surrounding areas.