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Garage door locked, how can I open it?

by Sleaklight
9 replies
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Hi!

I was replacing the t-handle on a garage door and while I went to buy the replacement t-handle, someone closed the garage door

This is a garage door that auto locks itself when it is closed. It is a spring lock type door that when pulled down it springs the things on each side of the door and you can't pull it up. I think it's called a tension cord lock. Well, now I am outside the garage door with no way to get into it. There's the tiny windows at the top that I guess I could break and try and find something to pull the tension cord and see if I can pull it enough to release the locks but I don't want to break anything.

Do you guys know how could I go about by opening this door other than breaking of the small windows to stick something in and pull the cabling?
Thank you.
  • Profile picture of the author ThomM
    That's a tough one.
    Is it the type of lock where the handle is in the center of the door with a flat bar coming out of each side? The flat bars slide into slots in the wheel tracks? OR is it a side lock like one of the first two on this page. garage door locks
    If you can show me a page with the lock type on it I may be able to give you some ideas. Also other garage info would help. like other windows or doors type of roof vent any thing that may give you a way to get in.
    Signature

    Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
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    As you are I was, as I am you will be
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  • Profile picture of the author Sleaklight
    http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50155662/T_Handle_Lock.jpg
    That's a picture of the door handle lock. It is in the center of the garage door. It is not a flat bar coming to the center but a cable has something in the middle connecting the two ends and it screws to the panel with the t handle and when you turn the t handle is pulls the cord/cable thus pulling open the locks on the side and then I am able to pull the door up.

    Garage info: no other entry into it other than through the front where I am locked out from. No Roof vents, no garage windows, no doors leading into the house
    Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      Originally Posted by Sleaklight View Post

      http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50155662/T_Handle_Lock.jpg
      That's a picture of the door handle lock. It is in the center of the garage door. It is not a flat bar coming to the center but a cable has something in the middle connecting the two ends and it screws to the panel with the t handle and when you turn the t handle is pulls the cord/cable thus pulling open the locks on the side and then I am able to pull the door up.

      Garage info: no other entry into it other than through the front where I am locked out from. No Roof vents, no garage windows, no doors leading into the house
      Thanks
      So you would need a key to unlock it?
      If so then you should be able to drill the lock out (where the key goes).
      You will have to drill right into the tumbler. From there you should be able to turn the handle and open the door.
      Signature

      Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
      You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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  • Profile picture of the author Sleaklight
    No need to drill the lock. I took the lock out to buy a replacement, when I came back, someone pulle dthe door down and the spring locks on the side kicked in so the cable is dangling around behind.

    http://www.texasgarages.com/Garage_Door_Insulation_Kit.jpeg

    I found this picture, see those cables? My door is just like that. It has windows at the top. I want to avoid breaking them in order of sticking a stick with a hook to pull on it.
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      So you have a square hole where the handle would go?
      If so you can wedge something in the hole and turn it which should unlock it.
      Other then that I can't think of anything that wouldn't be worse then knocking a window out, sorry.
      Signature

      Life: Nature's way of keeping meat fresh
      Getting old ain't for sissy's
      As you are I was, as I am you will be
      You can't fix stupid, but you can always out smart it.

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  • Profile picture of the author Sleaklight
    no square hole, it has 3 drilled holes where the screws and center stwist go. I think knocking out a window is going to work but I started thinking what if they only release if you pull them in and wont release if you pull them up? Man, I am going to have to go to a garage door showroom and see one.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mike Wright
      Fishing hook and some strong line over the top of the door ( which
      do not usually fit that tightly).

      Alternatively have you a friendly local auto mechanic/locksmith/thief
      They often have slim springy tools for opening similar locks

      Sometimes you can spring them open by pulling quite strongly on the
      center of the bottom of the door so it "bows out". The Aluminum
      types just bend trying that ...so beware!

      Alternatively, a suitably bent piece of steel wire through the handle hole
      might let you fish the internal mechanism back up so that you could
      operate it with a long screwdriver or similar to fit the square hole that
      the handle shaft fits into.

      LOL, for some period of time I seemed to be doomed to rescuing
      elderly ladies from similar situations if you must know
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  • Profile picture of the author espacecadet
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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  • Profile picture of the author Sleaklight
    After spending $100 on a service garage door call it is open. They took off all the weather stripping. Pried one spring latch open and hooked the cord that is attached to it and pulled it to open the other latch and it's open and new t handle installed. Doors opens just fine now. The nightmare is over! I really needed those $100 for my credit card payments Now cross my fingers and hope I get more than 1 sale on my wso lol (see sig )

    Thanks guys for all your advice!
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