Solutions For a Garage Door Lockout

Is The Garage Door Motor Broken?

So, you've just arrived at home in the middle of a thunderstorm and can't wait to get inside. But there's just one problem, the garage door won't open! When the electricity goes out, it's likely that your garage door may not respond automatically. You may need to open the door manually. In order to do this, make sure the garage door track isn't stuck or jammed by something else. Locate the manual release cord and pull on it. The door should open right away without a problem. If you've tried this step and still can't open your locked garage door, try our next tip.

Manipulate The Door Manually

If you've tried our previous step without success, try manually manipulating the door. This requires a malleable tool like a wire hanger. Go to the center of your garage door and feel for a hinged release lever. It often has a rope attached to it. Hook the release hinge onto the coat wire and pull towards yourself. The garage door should release and open manually. Anti-burglary hacks may hinder this process or stop it all together. If you've tried this step and are still locked out of your garage, schedule one of our locksmiths at Smart Locksmith to take a look. We're happy to help.

Alternate Entrances

It may seem like common sense but when you're in a rush and full of anxiety, it may be difficult to think straight. If you're locked out of your garage, try entering from an alternate door to examine what is happening from the inside. The problem may be as simple as an object blocking the garage door track from moving. In some cases, the lock may be broken. Read our next tip to learn more about broken garage door locks.

Is The Garage Door Lock Broken?

A broken lock is a bit trickier to get around than a power outage or jammed garage door track. Depending on the tools you have available, you may be able to get back into your garage without causing much damage to your door. If you have access to bolt cutters, padlocks can be cut and removed. However, if there are anti-burglary devices in place or you don't have bolt cutters at your disposal, this step may not be possible. Trying to remove a broken lock from your garage door could cause a considerable amount of damage. Before harming your property or yourself, give us a call at Smart Locksmith. We'll be here to help and put your mind at ease.