In the past, manual garage door openers were normal, but now many people are turning to automatic garage openers. The reason being is that they’re safer and more convenient; you no longer need to get out of your car to open your garage door. In fact, there are even applications that you can download on your phone so that you can open your Germantown garage door from anywhere. With so many people switching to automatic openers, there is a popular question that we get asked: What happens when there’s a power outage?
Power cuts can happen at any time of the day, and they usually happen at the worst times. When they happen, our electronic appliances become partially or fully useless. This can be a problem with your garage door if you need to leave your home, but your car is trapped inside of the garage. When this happens, this is what you should do.
The first thing you have to do is switch your electric garage opener to manual operation. You can do this by accessing the red cord on your door and switching the motor to manual operation. When you find the cord, you should pull it down to disengage it from the motor. If the door was open when the power was cut, make sure that no one is around the door when you pull the cord to prevent any injuries from occurring.
After the cord is pulled, you’ll be able to open the door manually. When you do this, do it very carefully. In fact, we suggest getting a helping hand, since the door is heavy and powerful. If you need to keep the door open while you move your car or do something else, you should prop the door open with something sturdy.
When the power returns, return the Germantown garage door to how it was when the power went out. You should then pull the cord towards the door and ensure that the bracket slips back into its bracket. You can test it by using your automatic remote control.
If you’re nervous about doing this or need help, contact us at Hudson Valley Overhead Doors & Operators. We have 24/7 emergency services just in case you need help with something.