Unable to open garage door

Lemoncurd

Have just moved into a new home, today I went to get something out of the garage and on unlocking think I turned the handle the wrong way. The handle now turns freely when unlocked and we can not open the door whether unlocked or not. It had some counterweights to help opening but it seems like the handle has somehow become detached from the opening mechanism.

Any ideas on how we can get in?

I_have_spoken

If it's a standard up-and-over, try slipping a screwdriver or knife between the top and frame to push down on the sprung latch (this would usually get pulled down when you turn the handle)

anotherbaldrick

You may find this type of door is operated by strong cords which loop over the handle mechanism and pull latches in which are situated on the left and right edges of the door about 18"up from the floor . You need to get two blades of metal and try and push the catches back, turning the handle the wrong way has unshipped the cords. Does your neighbour have a similar door to show you the catches ?

Lemoncurd

Thanks both, OH managed to get in, it turned out there was just one catch at the top, connected to the handle with an old wire coat hanger. This had snapped.

Nilrem

Lemoncurd wrote: »

Thanks both, OH managed to get in, it turned out there was just one catch at the top, connected to the handle with an old wire coat hanger. This had snapped.

In that case what you probably want to do is go to virtually any decent hardware store and get some wire rope (probably about 2-4mm diameter) and fixings.
You may be able to buy a set from places that sell/service garage doors for it, but it shouldn't cost more than about a tenner or so to get the parts to fix it properly, and about 10-15 minutes max do it (the hardest bit will probably be cutting the cable if you don't have decent cutters).