Garage Door "slim jim" ? Opener has failed.?

Question

I have posted this problem in the maintainence and repairs section (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ai_94_dssXPeJUljxFprdl_sy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080708171750AANuJdG) but here I am asking a different question for the clever do it yourself crowd. I can't get into this garage by "normal" means. What I need to do is defeat the lockout function of this defunct garage door opener. I suspect that something might have fallen infront of the electric eyes near the bottem of the door, but I won't know until I get in.

I will have to repair any damage I make so I want to do as little as possible. I am considering removing the molding around the door and trying to get at the catches but having installed and repaired a few garage doors I am not sure I will be able to reach them (or do anything if I can).

So my question is how can I "make" this work?

I can build, bend, weld, pry, wire, snake and adapt as needed but if there is an insight out there then I would love to hear it

Answer 1

try calling a repair man that would be the easiest way to solve your problem.

Answer 2

Break a small window around back that will allow you to enter the house...then go into the garage and pull on release handle to raise the door.

Answer 3

Call a locksmith, this is what we do. I'm sorry, my oath will not allow me to make suggestions.

Answer 4

Hi Breath,

I got into a door one time witha long 2" piece of thin sheet metal with a notch in the bottom of it (kinda like a huge slim jim).  After an hour of frustration I was able to grasp onto the release rope to free the door from the track.

*NOTE...The final weatherstripping and trim was not installed which left a nice gap between the door and framing to accomplish this.  Window breakage may be necessary. :)

Answer 5

Before breaking stuff to get in, I would at least try to wedge a crowbar under the door, then connect the crowbar to something that could make a long fulcrum and try to pry the door up.  

After all, it's just the weight of the door and the resistance from the engaged motor/gears holding it back.  That makes it virtually impossible to open by hand, but doesn't mean it can't be forced up.  If you can get it up a little way, slide a 2x4 to brace it open and then pry on top of that, adding wedges until you can get it high enough to slip under.  Obviously, make sure it is well-wedged before you try sliding under.  If the wedges slip out while you are halfway under, that would be game over for you, so make sure it is very well-supported.

Another thought: if you could just pry it high enough to slip a floor jack under it, then you could use the jack to raise it up the rest of the way pretty easily.  Put a length of 2x4 between the jack and door to spread the load evenly and avoid damaging the bottom panel of the door.  

No guarantee this would work, and you would have to be very careful re damaging the door if you pry too aggressively, but I'd at least give this a shot before doing a lot of demolition to get in.