Have you ever tried to open your manual garage door, only to find that it won’t budge? If so, you know the frustration of trying to get your car in or out of the garage—and wondering what on earth could be wrong. This is both inconvenient for the user and dangerous for security.
Fortunately, for most manual garage doors, there are some easy fixes that can get them up and running again in no time. While garage door openers function similarly, they differ in style from one brand to the next. Some of the fixes listed below will require you to consult your owner’s manual. If you can’t find it, you can usually download a new one from the manufacturer’s website.
Keep reading to learn what steps you should take if your manual garage door won’t open.
Check the Garage Door Lock
The very first thing you should do if your manual garage door won’t open is check the lock. Your manual garage door may have an internal lock that has been engaged. This is designed to keep the garage door secure when it’s not in use. To unlock it, simply turn the handle and make sure that it is fully extended before attempting to lift the door.
Check the Manual Release
If you click your remote and hear the garage door opener’s motor running but the door won’t open, check to make sure the manual release isn’t engaged. The manual release is that brightly colored cord hanging down in easy reach, usually near the front of your garage.
Pulling that cord disconnects the garage door from the motor, allowing you to operate it manually while the release is in place. The good news is that deactivating the release is as simple as activating it – simply pull the cord again, hit your garage door remote, and your garage door should return to its original position.
Check the Tension Spring
Tension springs control the speed and smoothness of door movement, so if they become damaged, it can be difficult to open the door slowly or carefully – it will simply slam shut. In addition, if the cables or springs snap, the loose ends could endanger those standing near the door.
Avoid using the door until a professional has assessed it and repaired the springs to reduce the risk of injury to you and others, as well as to your property. If you think your door’s tension spring is broken, contact our Perth garage door experts.
Check the Torsion Spring
Aside from the tension springs, you should also check for broken torsion springs. A powerful torsion spring is located horizontally above the door on many garage doors. When you lower the door, the spring tightens, creating a pulling force that helps lift the door up when you open it again. Torsion springs wear out and break over time, making the door too heavy for the opener to lift. Installing a new torsion spring, on the other hand, is a job for a qualified garage door technician—if the spring snaps off during installation, it can severely injure anyone nearby.
Check the Tracks and Rollers
If the above steps did not solve your issue, then you’ll need to examine the tracks and rollers on which your manual garage door runs. First, visually inspect these components for any signs of damage such as bent or broken pieces or objects lodged in the track (e.g., twigs, leaves). If you see anything out of place, remove it carefully and then try operating your manual garage door again. If this doesn’t do the trick, then grease or lubricate both sides of each roller and along each track with a light machine oil or silicone spray lubricant (just make sure whatever product you use is compatible with metal). Then try opening and closing your manual garage door one more time.
Wrapping Up
No one likes dealing with a malfunctioning manual garage door. It’s not only inconvenient when wanting to leave or arrive at your home, but it also poses a security risk if it does not close properly. These tips will help you identify some of the most common problems that cause problems with manual garage doors and how to fix them. If you require any additional assistance in operating your garage door, please contact our helpful team.
