Getting locked out of your garage is not ideal, particularly if leaving your vehicle parked outside is not a safe option. And when your garage is not accessible, you also lose an entry and exit point during emergencies, which isn’t ideal.
The good news is that there are several options for dealing with a garage door lockout.
What to Do During a Garage Door Lockout
- Pull the emergency release cord. If you are able to get into your garage from your home, you can use the emergency release cord located on the motor. This will allow you to lift the garage door open.
- Use the emergency key release. If you cannot get into your garage at all, you can try using the emergency key release – if you have one, that is. This requires you to insert a key into a lock on the outside of the door, which will give you access to a cord. You can use this cord to disengage the motor and open the door manually. Just remember to reconnect the motor once you are back in and the problem has been resolved.
- Find a drill. This DIY option is not recommended because it can lead to permanent damage. This also only works if your garage has a thin aluminum skin. Once you drill a hole in the center of the door, near the top, you would use a spider tool to grab the emergency release cord. You can now disengage the door to pull it open manually.
- Contact a locksmith. If the first two options don’t work and you would prefer not to drill a hole in your garage door, you should get in touch with a locksmith. Quickly Locksmith is available 24/7, so we can help you open your garage at any time of the day or night. If there is a problem with the lock or motor, this can either be repaired or replaced.
Preventing a Garage Door Lockout
So, what can you do to prevent this from happening in the future?
For one, it’s highly recommended that you ensure you can access your garage from your home. This gives you easy access to the emergency release cord inside.
Another option is to invest in a Wi-Fi-enabled garage door opener. This way, you can control your garage door from your smart device. This way, if your regular opener fails, the Wi-Fi opener will bypass the radiofrequency system and you can get into your garage safely.
If you need some tips on how to make your garage more secure – read our tips here.
If you need advice or assistance with upgrading your garage security or getting back in at an odd hour, contact us on (305) 984-9922.
