Your garage door emergency cord is one of the most crucial parts of your garage door. Therefore, it pays to know how to use it safely. Operating your garage door’s emergency release is a good life skill and could save a life. This blog will tell you why it is important, how to operate it, and what to do in case of problems.

What Is a Garage Door Emergency Cord?

Your garage door’s emergency release cord is a handy tool to have in case of power outages or other problems. This cord usually hangs down from your garage door’s trolley and has a handle at its base. Depending on your height, you may need a small stool to reach it.

How Does the Garage Door Emergency Cord Function?

When activated, this cord releases the carriage from the trolley, allowing you to lift your garage door manually. It can be useful when you need to open your garage door but do not have power available.

A homeowner lubricating the emergency cord spring

How to Use Your Garage Door Emergency Cord

Disengaging the door from the opener is a relatively simple process. You can do it quickly and safely by following a few simple steps.

Check that the garage door is in the down position

Before disengaging the garage door opener, be sure it is in the down position. It is necessary because disengaging the opener will release the trolley, which could cause the door to fall and crash, potentially damaging the door and any person or object underneath it.

Pulling down the emergency cord to release the door from the opener

Ensure the door is in the down position, and locate the red cord hanging from the trolley. In most cases, you will need a ladder to reach this cord.

Releasing the garage door opener is simple. Just pull down on the cord, and you will hear a click. That means that the trolley has disconnected from the opener carriage. You can then slide the garage door along the track without help from the opener.

Manually open the door if you need to get your car out

When you have disengaged your garage door opener, you can step down and use the handle on your garage door to lift it. On some doors, this handle is in the middle; on others, it is on the side. Pulling the door up a little bit allows its momentum to carry it up to the track the rest of the way.

A homeowner pulling on the emergecy cord

Caution: Do not try to open your garage door unless you know why it is stuck. Power outages are usually the cause, so it is safe to open. However, caution must be taken as other problems with the door, such as springs, could suddenly cause it to fall back down. Someone could be seriously injured in this instance.

Inspect Your Garage Door Emergency Cord Regularly

It is important to perform regular upkeep to keep your garage door functioning properly. It includes inspecting the emergency cord to ensure it is in good working condition. By taking the time to do this, you can ensure it will be available when you need it most.

Garage Door Service Near Me

Contact us when you discover any issues while inspecting your garage door. At Titan Garage Doors Lincoln NE, we pride ourselves on providing quality garage door service. We have you covered, from garage door opener repair to overhead garage door and garage door opener installation. We are a garage door company you can trust for all your garage door needs. So give us a call today, and we will get started!