How A Power Outage Affects Your Garage Door

Garage Door Power Failure Tips

In Florida, a storm can come up very quickly, often leaving a power outage in its wake. Thunder crashes, lightning strikes, and suddenly you are left without power. If the storm is particularly intense, you might be encouraged to evacuate, but how can you do this when the storm has left your garage door opener powerless? Fortunately, you can take action and protect your garage door, with a few helpful tips.

Can You Use a Garage Door During a Blackout?

You can certainly use a garage door during a power outage, but this can only be done through manual garage door operation. To open the door without power, you will need to pull the release rope, separating the door opener trolley from the carriage. This will allow you to move the door open and closed manually, but it is important to do so very carefully, to avoid accidents and injuries. If you encounter significant resistance, notice a strange noise, or see that the components of the opener seem damaged, stop and call for a professional.

Tips and Reminders for Release Cords

Pulling the cord to release the garage door is a good move if you need to open it, but if you need to close it, you are better off calling in a professional. Whenever you are using your garage door in manual mode, remember these tips:

• Always pay attention. Listen for noises like creaking or screeching, and look carefully at the door and opener to make sure no pieces are broken. If any part of your garage door is damaged, call for professional assistance.
• Keep people out of the garage while you’re manually opening the door. If you need someone to help you, enlist the assistance of a responsible adult, but keep others out of the garage to avoid injuries. It’s also important to make sure nothing valuable is in a position to be damaged by the door if something goes wrong.
• Never overwork the rope. Gently pull the cord, without tugging it or holding it too tightly. If you are too rough with the cord, you can damage the entire system.
• When in doubt, call for help. Don’t wait for something bad to happen. If something seems off when you are trying to open the door manually, call a garage door professional.
• Once the power is back on, re-engage the system. This can be done by pulling the release cable towards the door so that the components that need electricity will reconnect.

Backup Garage Door Power Options

The alternative to using your garage door in manual mode is, of course, a battery backup. There are battery backup systems that can provide a reliable power supply for the garage door, even if the power goes out in your home. Talk to an expert about the right battery backup for you; they can be charged through car outlets, wall outlets, or solar power.

Still Have a Garage Door Opener Without Power? We Can Help

If the power comes back on, and your garage door opener still won’t work, call A1A Overhead Door Company. Our knowledgeable staff can help you determine exactly what’s needed and complete all necessary work efficiently and professionally, making sure you have a garage door that can stand up to storms, power outages, and anything else that happens to it. Family owned-and-operated, A1A Overhead Door serves the entire metro Jacksonville area. In fact, we even go as far as fifty miles into the outer counties. We are licensed and insured to cover both the client’s property and ours, and we’re proud to work with our clientele and will match or beat any competitor’s written estimate. For more information, you can call 904.579.1123 or contact us through our website.