A prisoner in my own home!

[skinimini]

So, just a few minutes ago, I'm headed out the door for a business appointment and I cannot--under any circumstance, no way, no how--get my garage door to open. Not even manually! I am so stuck. Had to postpone my appointment (new client, not a good start), I need to go to the grocery store, and I want to do a short ride today. I now have to wait for a technician to come sometime between noon and 4 pm to service. For a split second I had a grandiose idea about commuting by bicycle to the appointment. I certainly wouldn't arrive looking like the girl with the Anna Sui boots, and my commute wouldn't be just a pootle down to the corner.

I just needed to vent! Arrrgh!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Trapped by our own technology!

You have my sympathy.

[Blueberry]

When they come to repair it, get them to show you the release from the opener, so you can manually open the door in the future if necessary. Basically, it's a cord you pull, and the garage door goes back to manual mode.

CA

[skinimini]

CA, did that, got it off the overhead track manually, but I think there's a problem with the side tracks. Can't raise the door at all, and I'm pretty strong.

[Aggie_Ama]

This would only happen to me on a day DH took his truck. I could see it. The truck lives outside but my car tucks in the house. Madness, hope your client understands.

[Blueberry]

Ugh! That sucks!! We had something similar happen - one of the huge springs broke Scary stuff.

CA

[OakLeaf]

Yeah, we had a spring break a couple of years ago too. Funny thing was, we had a housesitter, and he thought he'd done something to break it.

Those doors are HEAVY. Installing the new spring was a job for sure!

[Karma007]

That would so happen to me...vent away!

[skinimini]

The worst part is my schedule is blown for the day.

The door and the mechanical parts are old. I've just been fixing and replacing things as needed over the years. Perhaps it's time for a new one. But, I could really see spending that money on something else, a vacation perhaps?

[indigoiis]

I have a manual garage door (we don't keep our cars in it - just bikes) and it is really hard to open that door. It kind of catches on something about 10 inches up and feels locked. Very frustrating when I am trying to get to my bike! I feel your pain.

[skinimini]

Service men came earlier than expected. When has that ever happened? Two big burly boys can't even get the door open. Evidently, a large spring at the top is broken in half and bearings, rails, etc are worn and frayed. I'm sure they're just adding on at this time, but getting sprung from the house is worth it. It'll probably be about $500 when all is said and done. The market is the first order of business, then, if the rains don't come, there'll be time for a short ride.

Of course, Ms. Barky von Schnauzer is having a field day with all the commotion.

[jobob]

Two big burly boys can't even get the door open.

Well, that should make you feel a little better. Sort of.

Glad your day wasn't completely hosed.