manually open garage door

[Psycho44]

I just recently bought a power of sale house (haven't moved in yet) and can't figure out how to open the automatic garage door without the remote. The garage door is new and no handle to lift it up from the outside. The home inspector couldn't inspect the garage door since it couldn't be opened.

I think my option is to just dismantle the automatic system and install my own or find the remote. Are they universal remote like I can go use them on others garage door opener too?

[canadiantj]

Is there a manual release on the opener itself. Usually has the string hanging off of it. Give it a tug, it will release the door from the opener and you then can slide the door open manually.

Are you able to get in side the garage from the house or door? Is the problem that there is no access other than through the garage door itself?

[Psycho44]

i have access to inside the garage from the house. There is a string attached near top middle of garage, tugged it and nothing. I looked at the garage door mechanism briefly and couldn't see any manual latch.

I'll have to go back to the house to find the model of the manufacturer and figure out how to manually open the garage.

Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[canadiantj]

Sounds like you just didn't tug hard enough. You would be able to buy a universal remote, just need to check frequency and brand I believe. You would then have to hit the opener learn button and press the remote button and that should be enough. If not, google will be your friend. Good luck.

[loudsubz]

is there no manual push button?

if there isn't just connect a push button switch to the terminals on the back and it should manually open/close.

[gr8dlr]

i have access to inside the garage from the house. There is a string attached near top middle of garage, tugged it and nothing. I looked at the garage door mechanism briefly and couldn't see any manual latch.

I'll have to go back to the house to find the model of the manufacturer and figure out how to manually open the garage.

Any more suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

As the previous poster said...you probably didn't pull down hard enough - it can be pretty tight. Get up on a ladder and look at what the string is attach to and what happens when you pull on it. If it doesn't look like anything would break then pull down on it harder. It should release.

As well, almost every installer should have a manual opener/closer Look at the opener and see if there are any wires running towards the garage door/door to house. The wire should lead to what looks like a door bell button which would also open/close the door.

While you're up there, look up the model number and serial number and google for a manual. There is a way to reset the codes. You can buy an opener(s) on Ebay for a more reasonable price.

If none of these work, you may want to call an installer and explain your situation. Have the model number for him so he can bring opener etc.

Good luck.

[Psycho44]

thanks all great suggestions that I will definitely consider when I try again to open this garage door.

[Pete_Coach]

When you pull on the rope, the door does not immediately open. It may not even move. All you do by pulling the rope is unlatch the traveler from the motor or chain or cable. You need to now pull on the door to open it. Sometimes you need to "jiggle" it a bit to unlatch the mechanism but it will come disconnected eventually.
The traveler and rope should be near the door (when it is closed). There should be a metal bar from the door to the traveler. The connection is made there.

[jm1]

You should immediately look up the instructions on-line to change the codes or get a new one. I wouldn't feel safe knowing there's one or more remotes out there held by the former owner (you said power-of-sale, so I assume bankrupt, defaulted on mortgage, etc.)

As others have said, just give the string a good tug. The ones I've seen are red in colour, and mine even has a tag attached to it with instructions. Once it unlatches the door from the screw/chain/belt, I usually use a handle on the door to lift it up, or you can lift it from the hinges if there's no handle.