What to do for a Garage Lockout
Most people have found themselves locked out of their garage at one time in their life or another. You might get that panicky feeling in your chest, wondering what you are going to do. If your garage has just one entry, as in the case of garages that are detached from a house, there are a few options that you can try to get back in.
Check other Entrances
If you happen to lock yourself out of your garage, try to get in through other entrances. Check any other doors and windows to see if they are open. Don’t ignore this step! You may not know that there is a window that is unlocked, so you might miss out on the easiest way to get into your garage.
Check the Vault Release
Most building codes require detached garages have a vault release. This is a release that allows you to turn a key and open the door manually. The reason these are on garage doors are for times when electricity goes out. A vault release allows a homeowner to get into or out of their garage without the power opener.
Perform General Upkeep of Your Garage Door
Garage doors, like other doors in your home, will need general upkeep from time to time, so it’s important that you oil the different parts. A lack of lubrication can make it difficult to open your garage door. You should periodically check the hinges, rollers, torsion springs, track, and bearing brackets so you don’t face a garage lockout because of damaged hardware.
When to Call for Help for a Garage Lockout
If you find that none of these options are getting you into your garage, you can call a locksmith for assistance. A locksmith can help you by picking your garage door lock to get you inside. They can also provide services such as rekeying the cylinder or replacing the lock altogether if necessary.
Make sure that the locksmith you choose has the experience to get you back into your garage without damaging the door.
Tips for Maintaining the Garage Door
It’s a good idea for you to let everyone in your home know that you are working with your garage door to avoid any kind of accidents. Following are some tests and maintenance you can perform on your garage door to make sure it is in working order.
- Check the force setting
If your garage door has an automatic opening system, push the transmitter or wall button which will close the door. As the door is in the process of closing, hold on to the bottom of the door with your hands stretched out. If the door continues to close while you are holding on to it with your arms stiff, immediately pull your hands away. You will need to get your door serviced by a technician as it has excessive closing force.
- Monthly test of the reversing mechanism
Your garage door should have an automatic opener system if it was manufactured after January 1, 1993. It is recommended that you have your automatic operating system replaced if it does not have a reversing mechanism to prevent entrapment. To check the reversing mechanism, use a piece of wood and lie it on the ground where the garage door would touch the ground if it were to close. Close the garage door. When the garage door touches the wood, it should reverse. If it does not, you need to have it serviced.
