Winter is upon us in the GTA and with that comes the ice and snow storms, making power outages more likely. This can potentially be an issue if you rely on an electric automatic garage door opener. Thankfully there are some things you can do to ensure your garage door remains functional and secure even when you are without power. 

Know Your Garage Door System

The first and most important step to ensuring a functional garage door when without electricity is to understand how your door system works. Most homeowners use electric openers nowadays, however they do all have a manual release feature which will allow you to lift and close the door manually when necessary. The manual release is a red cord or handle which will disconnect the door from the motor. Before there is a power outage you should become familiar with this feature so that you can maintain access to your garage during an outage. The last thing you want is to be trying to figure out how to open the garage door to get your car out when there is an urgent matter or emergency.

The Manual Release Mechanism 

This is most commonly a red cord that is located from the centre rail of the door opener system. To use this feature, simply locate the cord and pull it to disengage the opener from the door. Once this is done you should be able to lift and lower the door manually. If the door is in good condition and the springs are in good shape, the door shouldn’t be too heavy, however keep in mind there will be some weight to it so you may want to have someone assist you especially if you have any physical limitations. Also, it is important to keep in mind that some doors may have extra locks or safety features that may need to be unlocked before you are able to lift the door.

Ensure the Manual Release is Accessible and Maintained 

It is ideal to periodically check that the manual release cord is in good condition and easily accessible. When you do your biannual garage door maintenance, check that the cord is not frayed, broken or being blocked by anything. When you need to use this feature you need to be sure that it is in working condition and can quickly and easily be accessible.

Battery Backup

A battery backup for your automatic opener will make your garage door much more convenient in power outages. Typically the battery will last for approximately 20 cycles. This means you can open and close the garage door about 20 times during an outage, hopefully eliminating the need to use the door manually. Many garage door openers come with a battery backup but if your model doesn’t have one, it is pretty easy to have one installed. 

Plan for Power Outages

It is always wise to be prepared for inclement weather and possible power outages. Even if you live in an area that doesn’t normally experience outages, it is a good idea to have an emergency plan. Keep a battery powered light in or near your garage so that you are able to see what you are doing when disconnecting the automatic opener and operating the garage door manually. Backup power sources such as a generator for your home can also be a smart investment particularly if you are in a location that has frequent power outages.

If your garage door doesn’t function, it not only can be a huge inconvenience but it can also create security issues and limit access to your home. Taking the time to learn your garage door system, knowing how to operate the manual release, and investing in a backup battery or other power source will ensure your doors safety and functionality.