How To Overcome A Faulty Garage Release Mechanism

If you have a garage on your property, you’ll no doubt have realised just how much you use it, whether it’s to store gym equipment or DIY tools, parking your car or keeping belongings you don’t need access to all the time. It’s for this reason that when the door becomes damaged, it can be incredibly frustrating.

One of the common issues is a faulty garage release mechanism, which can make opening the door difficult. In this blog, we’ll highlight some of the issues and how to resolve them to get your garage door functioning properly once more.

Check you’ve not had a power outage

Automatic garage doors have an emergency release latch which enables you to operate the door manually if you happen to lose power. The carriage is part of this mechanism which connects to the door arm and it locks around the opener when the door is functioning properly. You might find, if you’ve lost power, that when the power resumes, the door opener needs to be reengaged to the door.

Luckily, the process for this is the same for most doors. Firstly, locate the release mechanism – along the track between the motor and the door, there should be a drive carriage and a release mechanism with a cord. Pull the handle to release the carriage and pull all the way until it stops. Make sure it’s fully released, as trying to open it when it’s not could cause damage to the door.

You can then manually open the garage door, raising or lowering the door until the carriage locks into place. Make sure that you check that the opener works properly  – otherwise anyone could access your garage from the outside, as it will be possible to open it manually.

Does the handle turn?

If the handle is unlocked, does it turn and, if so, does it stop when you expect it to stop? If it’s spinning freely, it’s likely that it’s become detached from the release mechanism and the door won’t unlatch in this situation. In this case, you should be able to open the door from the inside because the mechanism includes an internal door handle that works independently from the handle on the outside.

If the external handle doesn’t budge when you try to open the door, the release mechanism might be jammed – don’t try to force it from the outside as you might wind up doing more damage to the door. Again, in this instance, it’s a good idea to try and check if anything is obstructing the door as this might be what is causing the issue. There may be an item that’s fallen down behind the door that’s causing it to jam.

If this doesn’t seem to be the problem, it’s likely that there’s an issue with the mechanism itself, such as a snapped cable or a broken torsion spring. In both cases, if you have a separate entrance, such as a side door or an internal door, then you can continue to use the garage door this way until the handle and release mechanism are repaired.

We’d recommend calling a professional to handle the repair itself, particularly if you have an automatic door, as the door will be stuck in the shut position otherwise. It can pose a security risk if you can’t secure your door properly, so it’s important to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Trying to force it open could cause further damage and result in a costly repair, so it’s best to get professional advice if you’re unsure. A qualified engineer will be able to identify the problem and resolve it without causing any unnecessary damage to your garage door.

Contact us

At Wessex Garage Doors, we have experience installing and repairing all types of garage door, and we can handle any issue you might be facing. If you’re having difficulty repairing your garage door, get in touch with us today for advice or to book an appointment.