ORLANDO, Fla. – You asked us to explain how that red dangling handle in your garage works, especially when the power goes out, so we’re showing you when to pull it (and when not to pull it!) and how to get your garage door open (and closed) after a storm.
Step 1
Make sure the garage door is down and closed!
This is important. The red handle is a release mechanism allowing your garage door to disengage from the garage door motor and move freely. If you pull the handle, the door arm will be no longer attached to the motor carrier and there will nothing holding the door in place so it could fall if it’s not already closed.
Step 2
Pull the handle. Again, make sure the door is down and closed and then pull the handle. You’ll hear some sort of click and likely see the door arm move slightly, now unattached to the garage door motor carrier.
Step 3
Lift the door.
Grab a buddy, bend at the knees and pull the door up. The springs should make it easier for you to roll up the door. If you need to close the door while the power is still out, just pull down the door but make sure to have a buddy help you lower it down gently.
Step 4
When the power comes back on, re-engage the door.
You’ll need a step ladder for this. Make sure the door is in the same exact position it was in when the power went out – so that should be down and closed. The garage door arm needs to be in the same place as the garage door motor carrier. Step up onto the ladder and flip up the mechanism attached to the red handle. Then push the garage door arm so the arm locks into place over the motor carrier. You’ll hear a loud click and you’ll know it’s locked into place when you can’t move the arm freely anymore. Now your garage door should open again by pushing the button.
You just got results at home!
If you have a project you’d like Erik to tackle, send us an email at GettingResultsAtHome@wkmg.com and next week Erik might just show up at your door!