Public Safety Power Shutoffs, commonly known as PSPS events, are now a reality for many California homeowners. When strong winds and fire risk increase, utility companies may shut off power with little notice. While most people prepare flashlights and phone chargers, one critical item is often overlooked: the garage door.
If your garage door relies on an automatic opener, a PSPS event can quickly turn it into a trap, leaving you unable to get your car out or back into your home. Preparing your garage door ahead of time helps reduce stress, improve safety, and maintain access during an outage.
At Right Way Garage Doors, we help Bay Area homeowners prepare their garage doors for PSPS events every year. Here’s a practical guide to what you need to know and what to do before the power goes out.
Why PSPS Events Create Garage Door Problems
Most modern garage doors depend entirely on electricity. When the power shuts off, automatic openers stop working, keypads and remotes become useless, and heavy garage doors become difficult to move. Your smart home access may be interrupted as well.
Without preparation, homeowners often discover these issues at the worst possible time — like when trying to leave for work or return home during an event.
How to Prepare Your Garage Door for a PSPS Event
Here’s a simple PSPS checklist to help you and your family prep before the next event.
Step 1: Locate and Test the Manual Release Before a PSPS Event
Every garage door opener includes a manual release, typically a red cord hanging from the opener rail. This release disconnects the door from the motor so it can be opened by hand, which is essential during PSPS conditions.
Before a shutoff occurs, locate the emergency release cord and pull it down firmly to disengage the opener. Manually lift the door fully open and closed to confirm it moves smoothly, then reconnect the door to the opener once testing is complete.
If the door feels unusually heavy, sticks, or won’t stay open, the issue may be worn springs or poor balance. These problems should be addressed in advance, since manual operation during an outage depends on a properly balanced door.
Step 2: Make Sure Everyone in the Household Knows How to Open Your Garage Door During a PSPS Event
During a power shutoff, stress levels are already elevated, so everyone who may need access should understand how the manual release works. All adults and teen drivers should know how to disengage the opener and safely lift and lower the door by hand.
Make sure the release cord remains visible and easy to reach. Avoid tying it up or shortening it, as this can make it difficult to access when it’s needed most.
Step 3: Install a Garage Door Opener Battery Backup
A battery backup allows your garage door opener to function normally during a power outage, eliminating the need to lift the door manually. In California, this upgrade is especially valuable for homes affected by PSPS events.
Battery backups provide multiple open-and-close cycles during outages, improve safety and accessibility, and help homeowners stay aligned with California safety recommendations. Many newer openers include built-in battery backups, while older systems can often be upgraded or replaced. In PSPS-prone areas, a garage door battery backup is more than a convenience; it’s a practical necessity.
Step 4: Understand Why Smart Garage Door Openers Help During PSPS Events
Smart garage door openers add another layer of preparation by providing alerts and remote monitoring. These systems can notify you when power goes out, allow you to check whether the door is open or closed, and let you secure the garage remotely before an outage begins.
While a smart opener won’t restore power on its own, it gives you visibility and control that helps prevent access issues and last-minute surprises during PSPS events.
Step 5: Secure Your Garage Door Before the Power Goes Out
Before a PSPS event begins, make sure to close your garage door fully and lock the interior door between your garage and home. In addition, unplug the opener to protect it from surges when power returns, and remove remote controls from vehicles parked outside. These steps help protect both access and security during extended outages.
When to Call a Professional Before the Next PSPS Event
Some garage door issues only become obvious when the power goes out, which is the worst possible time to discover them. Coupled with routine maintenance, a professional inspection before a PSPS event helps ensure your garage door will remain usable, safe, and reliable if electricity is unavailable for hours or even days.
You should schedule service if:
- The door feels too heavy to lift manually. This often indicates worn or failing springs, which can make manual operation difficult or unsafe during an outage.
- Springs, cables, or hardware appear worn or rusted. PSPS-prone areas often experience wind, moisture, and temperature swings that accelerate wear on critical components.
- Your opener is outdated or lacks a battery backup. Older openers may leave you completely locked in or out during a shutoff, while newer systems can continue operating normally.
- You want to upgrade to a smarter, more reliable setup: Battery backups and smart openers add convenience, safety, and peace of mind before and during power outages.
Trusted PSPS Preparation for Bay Area Homeowners
PSPS events are unpredictable, but your garage door doesn’t have to be. Preparing now ensures safe access to your home and vehicle when power is unavailable.
Our team at Right Way Garage Doors helps Bay Area homeowners prepare their garage doors for PSPS events with inspections, battery backup installation, opener upgrades, and expert guidance. Contact us today to schedule a PSPS readiness check and protect your home before the next outage.
