How to break into my own garage? HELP!

[ShooterMcGavin]

OK, first let me tell you the layout of my place so you can understand why I can't get into the garage.

My apartment is not in a complex. It's stand-alone, next to other little apartment/houses. I have a driveway and a garage, and my apartment sits on top of the garage. My front door is up the stairs next to the garage door.

Outside the apartment, around back, are 2 doors. One leads to an old storage room/living space that has no practical use, and the other leads to the garage.

Alright, here's my problem.

My garage door won't open. The gears in there work. I know this because I can hear them. But I guess the door got disconnected from the rails somehow and won't move. So I've been parking out in the 110 degree heat for a couple days. I get in my car and I immediately start sweating. It's like driving a damn oven.

As I said, there's a door around back that leads into the garage. The thing is, it's locked from the inside. It's not locked by deadbolt, so my key is useless. It is locked by a hatch thing on the other side of the door. So basically, I can't get into the garage to fix the garage door.

So, any burglars or someone experienced in breaking and entering, or maybe just someone who knows about this kinda shit here on Wackbag? If so, I'd really like to know how the hell I can get into my garage so I can see why the hell my garage door isn't opening.

[MAV]

what about, um, calling the management office and talking to maintenance? that way you dont have to pay for any damage you do by taking advice from some of us madmen on here.

dont get me wrong, i have suggestions for you fella, but well get into that if the front office cant get in it for you. :D

[Farm Flufer]

If the door is disconnected from the gears, technically, you should be able to just pull the door up. There is usually a pull rope on the inside with a handle that will disconnect the door in case of a power outage and reengages by a lever.

[ShooterMcGavin]

If the door is disconnected from the gears, technically, you should be able to just pull the door up. There is usually a pull rope on the inside with a handle that will disconnect the door in case of a power outage and reengages by a lever.

I can't get inside, remember?

[Chin nuts]

I'm with Mav on the suggestion on getting your landlord or super involved before you wreck the door. If that's impossible and the door is off it's tracks like you think it is try to see if you can get your car jack or hydraulic jack under the door to lift it enough to get inside(ala Clarice in Silence of the Lambs). Probably have to ask for a spotter to help you just in case the door locks you in and then your in for some real fun. Good Luck.

[BCH]

If there is no other means of entry to the garage, they usually install a keyed cylinder which is connected to the string inside so you can pull it from outside if you have the key. If there's not one of these, you'll have a much easier time kicking in the regular door than opening the garage door.

[martianvirus]

[I'm pointing] hahahahahahahahaha

[ShooterMcGavin]

[I'm pointing] hahahahahahahahaha

It's not Friday!

[martianvirus]

It's not Friday!
I point and laugh every day.

[MAV]

It's not Friday!

read it again on friday :action-sm

[martianvirus]

I like to say that we point and laugh everyday. We just celebrate it on Friday. Just like OnA WOW promotion.

[Sct Ptersns Twn]

Hire a Ni@@er.

[madbam]

If you have a crowbar and a jack I suggest you try prying up the door with the crowbar and slip the jack under the door and jack it up a-la silence of the lambs when Starling was at that storage place then slip under and fix the door..oh yeah..unlock the back door too..good luck

[Voss's Tumor]

Captain obvious answer: If you can slide something in to lift the latch on the back door, do that.

If not, it's just a latch, just open the door knob and bust the latch off, then drill it back on later.

[MJMANDALAY]

If you have long skinny arms, you should be able to fit an arm between the top panel and the rubber flap. Using some force with your other hand push on the top panel. Then reach in and pull the string which should disengadge the mechanics of the door. Then just lift the door. Might be a tight fit, sorry your not close to Newark or I would send some "friends".

[Sct Ptersns Twn]

Where are you now?

[bethm1b]

Toss a brick through the window.

[MrBogey]

If you're inside the condo you can try and old schools burglar technique of putting a jack across the door frame and expanding it slightly till the frame disconnects from the catch. Essentially the wood bends so where the knob moves away from the frame. It's ricky as you can mar the paint on the frame.

[Farm Flufer]

I can't get inside, remember?

Yes, I get it, but you did say the motor is running. Maybe it's already disconnected. Have you tried pulling the door up manually from outside?

[BCH]

Yes, I get it, but you did say the motor is running. Maybe it's already disconnected. Have you tried pulling the door up manually from outside?

This makes alot of sense. Perhaps the springs broke and the thing's torque limiting. Try opening it manually while the motor's running.

[jackjack]

Can you see inside the garage to know whether a spring broke?
Does the garage door have a panel of glass windows?

If it was my place, I'd first try to add manual lift to the door while operating the motor. If that fails, I'd decide what the least expensive and easiest thing to replace which would get me in was, and break it.
Since you're renting it, make the owner decide what to break.

One time I had a similar situation and decided it was the perfect time to put in that side utility door I always wanted to have. Five minutes later with a sawzall, and I was committed to the project I should have done years earlier.
I know that's not applicable, you don't own it besides you already have the walk-in door..

[THE FEZ MAN]

ive build a few of these for the swat team, they work like a charm and save the jammed knees, and ankles
http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/images/prodimages/RAM-II.jpg

ill cut you a wackbag deal and let you rent one plus shipping for 100$

[BigDickGuzinya]

I'm a little confused about what kind of latch is on the back door.Can you slide something like your D.L. or similar in between the jamb and door and unhook it?

ive build a few of these for the swat team, they work like a charm and save the jammed knees, and ankles
http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/images/prodimages/RAM-II.jpg

ill cut you a wackbag deal and let you rent one plus shipping for 100$

Is that rhinoliner on that locksmith kit?

[Glenn Dandy]

If you have long skinny arms, you should be able to fit an arm between the top panel and the rubber flap. Using some force with your other hand push on the top panel. Then reach in and pull the string which should disengadge the mechanics of the door. Then just lift the door. Might be a tight fit, sorry your not close to Newark or I would send some "friends".

Mike are you trying to get our lil Shooter jammed in a garage door? all be it funny.... It would bother me.


This is why I am president of Wackbag... stand aside as the knower of all things stupid and worldly speaks.

BREAK THE WINDOW, OPEN THE HATCH, CALL THE LANDLORD AND SAY YOU GOT BROKEN INTO AND TO COME FIX YOUR WINDOW.:action-sm

[7cent]

Mike are you trying to get our lil Shooter jammed in a garage door? all be it funny.... It would bother me.


This is why I am president of Wackbag... stand aside as the knower of all things stupid and worldly speaks.

BREAK THE WINDOW, OPEN THE HATCH, CALL THE LANDLORD AND SAY YOU GOT BROKEN INTO AND TO COME FIX YOUR WINDOW.:action-sm

I had a roomate that did that. Landlord made us file a police report for the insurance, we said it was teenagers and they took a case of beer.

[THE FEZ MAN]

I'm a little confused about what kind of latch is on the back door.Can you slide something like your D.L. or similar in between the jamb and door and unhook it?



Is that rhinoliner on that locksmith kit?

i guess, thats not one that i build (yet, i do like that design, and think the next one will be quite similar) in all reality if you do have access to your car and it has a scissor jack in it you can use the jack to spread the jamb of the man door if you crib it with wood, ive done it before the jamb will move a good bit unless its a 1" or more dead bolt or the other type, that has the three thingys and a key in it then your fucked just call your land lord and tell him the fucking garage door is busted. or just back into it, claim it against your car insurance and done and done

[Glenn Dandy]

MJMANDALAY View Post
If you have long skinny arms, you should be able to fit an arm between the top panel and the rubber flap. Using some force with your other hand push on the top panel. Then reach in and pull the string which should disengadge the mechanics of the door. Then just lift the door. Might be a tight fit, sorry your not close to Newark or I would send some "friends".


Mike are you trying to get our lil Shooter jammed in a garage door? all be it funny.... It would bother me.


This is why I am president of Wackbag... stand aside as the knower of all things stupid and worldly speaks.

BREAK THE WINDOW, OPEN THE HATCH, CALL THE LANDLORD AND SAY YOU GOT BROKEN INTO AND TO COME FIX YOUR WINDOW.

I had a roomate that did that. Landlord made us file a police report for the insurance, we said it was teenagers and they took a case of beer.

Insurance? Jesus christ, Itsa lil garage door window three dollar piece of glass n caulk.

[7cent]

Quote:
Originally Posted by MJMANDALAY View Post



Insurance? Jesus christ, Itsa lil garage door window three dollar piece of glass n caulk.

he was a pain in the ass Asian..Oh, and there was no window on the garage door. He smashed the window on the side door of the garage. He was a bit intoxicated at the time.

[Capt.Hilarious]

Since you said your apartment is above the garage, I recommend renting a sawzall, going into your living room, cutting a hole in the floor, dropping down into the garage like Tom Cruise, and opening the rear door.

Then, I would put your couch over the hole and act like nothing ever happened.

:upp:

[abudabit]

Why not just contact the landlord?

[Hydrosludge]

Can you pop the hinge pins on the back door?

[THE FEZ MAN]

Why not just contact the landlord?



wow the voice of reason comes from the strangest places :action-sm

[Sinn Fein]

I'm a little confused about what kind of latch is on the back door.Can you slide something like your D.L. or similar in between the jamb and door and unhook it?



Is that rhinoliner on that locksmith kit?

Looks more like Like-X than Rhino... I've got Rhino in my truckbed, my pop has Line-X.

[HummerTuesdays]

Since you said your apartment is above the garage, I recommend renting a sawzall, going into your living room, cutting a hole in the floor, dropping down into the garage like Tom Cruise, and opening the rear door.

Then, I would put your couch over the hole and act like nothing ever happened.

:upp:

I like this one the best, however I think the first course of action would be to try to lift the door while the motor was running. BCH is right. My door worked fine one day, I went back to the house & it would only go up about 2'. Turns out that a spring had busted. I was able to raise the door all the way by helping it up while the motor was running.

And I need an update!!!! Is our lil Shooter stuck?

[cozzie]

i work on garage doors all day long. sounds like you might have a broke spring, like others have said, hit your remote control button and help lift the door up. if it only goes a couple of feet thats fine, just crawl under. once inside figure out whats wrong , if it's a broke spring, you should be able to clearly see it, put the door down until you can fix it, and go out the back door . If you have to break something , break the back door and not the garage door, if you break the garage door and the spring system lets loose , your going to brek othe shit. If you need some other help , feel free to pm me

[izzy izkowitz]

Why not just contact the landlord?


He doesn't want to have to fuck her to pay the rent yet.

[NoSurviivors]

1. Call friend with shitty car.

2. Get drunk with him. He has to be shitfaced.

3. Go for a ride. Whatever excuse.

4. Acidentally drive friends shitty car through the door.

5. Blame it on the blacks.

-- it would be easier & less expensive to break down the back door in whatever way possible. I think the garage door will move some as posted above too.

[ShooterMcGavin]

UPDATE:

Just went to Best Buy, came back and stared at the garage door for a few minutes.

Went up to it, reached underneath it, lifted it up.

You were right. I could just lift it. Now to find out whats wrong with it.

*EDIT*

Oh, and for those of you that were asking, this is the lock on the door:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a333/shootermcgvn/Lock.jpg

[HerkyJerkyLiz]

2 pages and not one hacky wanna buy a garage door joke. im impressed. im also laughing at you travis :action-sm

[ShooterMcGavin]

2 pages and not one hacky wanna buy a garage door joke. im impressed. im also laughing at you travis :action-sm

Good. I deserve it. 3 days and all this time I could have just lifted it. I'm a dope.

[HummerTuesdays]

If you can just lift the garage door, it sounds like the emergency disconnect (ie, that red rope) got pulled. When I had to reconnect mine, I just got a long piece of wood and pushed it back into place.

[HerkyJerkyLiz]

Good. I deserve it. 3 days and all this time I could have just lifted it. I'm a dope.

werent we just talking about your garage door phobias last night? all this time someone could have just lifted your door and walked right in..

[ShooterMcGavin]

werent we just talking about your garage door phobias last night? all this time someone could have just lifted your door and walked right in..

And do what? Steal a screwdriver?

[ShooterMcGavin]

If you can just lift the garage door, it sounds like the emergency disconnect (ie, that red rope) got pulled. When I had to reconnect mine, I just got a long piece of wood and pushed it back into place.

Oh yeah I checked that. It was fine. I have no idea what's wrong with it.

Landlord won't do shit about it :arrrh: so I'm getting in touch with a company in Norman that specializes in garage doors to come and see what's up.

[Voss's Tumor]

Being able to lift the garage door aside...

That pissant little latch on your back door would have been nothing to replace. If your garage door does ever get stuck just kick that little thing off then re-attach it.

[jackjack]

That pissant little latch on your back door would have been nothing to replace. If your garage door does ever get stuck just kick that little thing off then re-attach it.

Why kick? Just take out the three screws. The hasp isn't even installed properly, it's supposed to be folded and covering the screws when it's closed.

[MrBogey]

I don't see a lock on it. I assume that's inside the garage otherwise you could have opened the door. Can't you just rotate the thing and leave it unlocked going into the apartment?

[ShooterMcGavin]

I don't see a lock on it. I assume that's inside the garage otherwise you could have opened the door. Can't you just rotate the thing and leave it unlocked going into the apartment?

That pic was taken inside the garage. It leads to the backyard.

[Voss's Tumor]

Why kick? Just take out the three screws. The hasp isn't even installed properly, it's supposed to be folded and covering the screws when it's closed.

Because that latch is on the inside of the garage like a security chain or something, so you'd have to break it to enter from the outside.

Still, it'd be incredibly easy to re-install

[Turfmower]

Stick a shale bar under the door and the cross bars that lock the door will bend or the screws will pull out. I lock my doors from the inside with padlock through the tracks. Drill a hole in the track just above the wheels for the lock.

[Glenn Dandy]

UPDATE:

Just went to Best Buy, came back and stared at the garage door for a few minutes.

Went up to it, reached underneath it, lifted it up.

You were right. I could just lift it.


Shooter you are an idiot. ( no waveyhand guy)

[ShooterMcGavin]

OK, so it turns out that the thing is broken. Nothing can be fixed without getting a new part for the machine that operates it.

Looks like I'll be manually opening and closing it for a couple days.

[Sct Ptersns Twn]

Lock please.

[cozzie]

shooter when someone comes to fix your motor have them install a key release, so that you can get to it from the outside , that should cost you $15, if its the gears that should cost you $20. If someone qoutes you twice that amount tell them to scram. there are alot of people in that bussiness that will charge you 10 times more than the part cost

[flyerfan116]

Shooter you are an idiot. ( no waveyhand guy)

x 2

Lock please.

:popcorn:

[Farm Flufer]

UPDATE:

Just went to Best Buy, came back and stared at the garage door for a few minutes.

Went up to it, reached underneath it, lifted it up.

You were right. I could just lift it. Now to find out whats wrong with it.



See, and you doubted me.

[WOWmagnet]

Shooter you are an idiot. ( no waveyhand guy)

Kinda tough to argue here....... (no rolleyes guy)

[MJMANDALAY]

Shooter you are an idiot. ( no waveyhand guy)

qft