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Garage door security is of utmost importance, especially if your garage is connected to your home.
There shouldn’t be any garage door gaps or areas that compromise your security.
Your opener should also be fully functional to keep your garage door tightly closed.
Furthermore, you must have a supplementary manual garage door lock when there is no power.
For high-security and reliable garage doors in Washington, don’t hesitate to contact Washington’s Garage Doors.
Our company boasts of our team of experienced technicians who can accomplish any garage door service.
We can replace your old garage door and replace it with a new one.
Contact us today to consult with our expert garage door technicians.
If you’re wondering how to lock your garage door manually, we have a few tips for you.
How to Operate a Garage Door Manually
You cannot use your automatic opener when the power goes out.
This means you’re left with no choice but to operate your garage door manually.
To do this, you must put your garage door in a closed position first.
This step will ensure your safety since the garage door can crash down on you if it’s open.
Look for the red rope with a red T handle hanging from the garage opener.
The red emergency release cord allows you to disconnect the opener and use your garage door manually.
Pull down on this rope to switch to manual operation.
You should feel a slight tug or hear a soft click, signifying that you’re now on manual mode.
Lift the garage door using your hands with enough force to open the door.
Ensure that you’ve secured your door in the open position before driving your car through it.
Lower the garage door with your hands to close it manually.
Secure Your Garage Door
No power means your opener won’t provide your garage door with the security it usually offers.
Automatic openers don’t require a locking system because they already secure your garage door.
Garage door openers protect your home from intrusion by keeping your garage door closed and locked.
However, you’ll need a manual locking device when your opener is not working, or there’s a power interruption.
Lock the Release Lever with a Zip tie
One cost-effective way to secure your garage door manually is to use a zip tie to lock the emergency release lever.
This can combat “fishing” or the method wherein an intruder inserts a hanger through the top opening and pulls the lever.
Locate the said lever and find a hole each on the trolley and the connecting hinge.
Insert the zip tie through both holes and tighten it.
Cut the excess from the zip tie, and your door should be ‘fishing’-proof.
Set up a Deadbolt or a Door Latch
Another ingenious way to secure your garage door manually is to install a deadbolt or latch lock.
It is affordable and easy to set up, even if you’re an amateur.
First, you must have the right tools like a flathead screwdriver, hole punch, drill, and a latch.
Look for the mini knockout template near the garage door bottom on either side of the vertical tracks.
Remove the template with a hole punch and then put the latch against the wall.
Make sure that it is aligned with the track hole so that the latch can go into the hole.
Secure the latch using screws.
Use a Clamping Device or Padlock
Another technique to secure your garage door manually is using a C-clamp or padlock.
You must first check if the vertical tracks have holes in them for this method.
If not, drill holes a little above the bottom-most roller.
Insert the C-clamp or padlock through the holes to secure the tracks and prevent intruders from prying it open.
Conclusion
Locking your garage door is indispensable in your home and family’s safety and security.
Thus, you must ensure that your garage door opener is working correctly.
You should also install locking mechanisms for your garage door in case of a power interruption.
Call the expert technicians at Washington’s Garage Doors for high-quality and reliable garage doors in Washington.
We offer high-security garage doors for residential and commercial properties in the area.
Book an appointment with our company, and experience an exceptional level of garage door service.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
