Guide
Opening a garagedoor by hand in apower outage
Every opener has a manual release. With the door fully closed and its springs working, you can pull it and lift the door by hand.
Step by step
Look at the door first
If you see a broken spring, a loose cable or a crooked door, stop and don't lift it.
Make sure it's fully down
Don't pull the release with the door raised. A door with a weak spring can fall.
Pull the release
It's usually a cord with a red handle hanging from the opener's rail. Pull it down and back toward the opener.
Lift from the bottom
Use both hands. The door should rise with moderate effort and stay put halfway. If it's heavy or drops, lower it and stop.
Keep it from rolling down
If you're leaving it open for a while, a C-clamp or locking pliers on the track just below a roller will hold it. That's only for a door with working springs.
Reconnect later
When the power is back, reconnect it the way the opener's manual says, then test that the door reverses.
If outages are a regular problem
Many openers can run from a backup battery, either built in or added later. A contractor can tell you what fits yours.
If the door is hard to move
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says a door that binds or sticks when moved by hand should be serviced by a professional. Don't force it.
Ready to talk to a contractor?
Your call goes to an independent contractor who works in this area. Say what the door is doing, ask what the price covers, and ask for license details before you agree to anything.