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What to Do While You Wait for Garage Door Repair

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Few things in life are more confounding that rushing out of your house to your car on the way to an important appointment only to find that for some reason, your garage door won't open. You're effectively trapped and at the mercy of your door in those situations. While most doors are reliable and increase convenience, it can be quite frustrating when they unexpectedly fail. When that happens, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot your garage door. Then, your best bet is to quickly call your trusted provider of garage door repair in Decatur, IL.

Once you make that critical call, what should you do next? You can't simply sit and wait for your garage door repair service since it could be hours before they can respond to your needs. Fortunately, most doors have a fail-safe method of opening the door, even when the opener may not be properly functioning. Keep reading to find out what you should do to cope with a failed garage door while awaiting repair professionals.

Troubleshoot the Issue

There are a few things you should check the moment you realize your garage door isn't opening. First, make sure it's plugged in, and make sure the batteries in the opener are still good. Head to your breaker box and make sure the breaker on the circuit for your garage door hasn't been tripped. If, after checking these simple fixes, you still can't get the door open, call a professional repair service. You can expedite the process and determine whether the door can be opened manually by continuing your inspection afterward. Look at the springs. Are they broken or loose? If so, you'll know you can't rely on them to keep the door open if you raise it, so extra care should be taken. Is the door off the track? If so, it may be difficult or impossible to open it without assistance. Share any information you glean with the technician upon arrival because that knowledge can expedite the repair process.

Activate the Emergency Release

All modern garage doors have an emergency release that allows them to be opened even when the opener isn't working, or the springs are broken or malfunctioning. This release can be activated with a cord, usually red, that can be found somewhere along the course of your garage door opener rail. Pull that cord to release your garage door from the opening mechanism. This will allow you to manually open or close the door without the use of the opener. Though it won't be as convenient as using a power opener, at least you'll be able to get yourself and your automobile out of the garage safely.

Garage door emergency release cord

Lifting the Door

Once you've disconnected your door from the opener, you're ready to lift it manually. For the sake of safety, it's a good idea not to attempt this step by yourself. Ask someone else to assist you and use both hands to lift the door. If the door refuses to move when you attempt to lift it, don't force it. Check to make sure the release has been tripped properly, then try the door once again. If it still won't move, you should wait for your garage door repair technician to arrive as there is likely significant damage to the mechanism.

Support the Door

If you can get the door open, you may be able to get your car out without too much trouble. However, it's important that you don't trust the door to stay open. Depending on what's wrong with the door, it could fall and injure your or another person or cause property damage. If one or more of your springs have been compromised, make sure that you prop the door open in a stable fashion to prevent unexpected falling of the door. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

If you're experiencing problems with your garage door that seem beyond repair, you may need to research garage door replacement costs in Decatur, IL. If you're stuck behind a garage door that won't open, troubleshoot the basic causes of door failure, then call the professionals at Midstate Overhead Doors at (217) 422-8030 to render assistance.