Garage Door Repair NDH: Garage door opens and closes on its own

A garage door that opens or closes without you giving it the signal to can be quite scary. While it doesn’t happen often, it does indeed happen, and it doesn’t necessarily indicate that you have a ghost in your home. Don’t panic if your garage door opens and closes on its own. Garage Door Repair NDH has put together a list of reasons to help you identify what is going on and what to do to prevent it. If you are in North Druid Hills, GA be sure to reach out for help. But if you live elsewhere, you can easily find a garage door repair company that can ensure everything is working as it is supposed to. We will provide the right steps to take at the end of this blog so you will know how to hire the best place!

Why is my garage door opening/closing on its own?

It’s not a ghost or some sort of magic! The garage door might be operating without you telling it to because there is an electrical fault. There could also be an issue with the opener or other parts. Was your garage door installed in the early 1990s? If so, there could be interference from a neighbor’s remote.

Look for:

1. Dirt or debris interfering physically with the garage door

Physical interference can easily cause a garage door to malfunction. Even something simple like dirt or snow that gets in the way can make your garage door sense something is in its path. Therefore, when you are attempting to close it, it will reverse to open. It does this as a security feature so that no one ends up with the garage door closing on top of them. Clear away any snow. Move piles of leaves. Make sure nothing is in your door’s path.

1. Damage to electric circuit

If you recently had a big storm hit, then you might find that there was damage to your electric circuit. This can happen after a bad lightning storm. A fuse short could have occurred in the remote control. This could also happen within the wiring system. If you do think electrical concerns exist, then it is best to talk with an expert. You won’t have to spend a fortune and you won’t have to worry about getting hurt.

1. Radio interference

Radio interference doesn’t only come from remote control codes that are a match for one another. Do you live near a military base? Perhaps the equipment is causing an interference problem. Are you close to a radio tower? Even if you have police regularly driving by, their radios can interfere with your remote control. When radio interference does turn out to be the problem, the best solution is to reprogram your opener’s code. If it is an option, you might want to replace your older opener unit completely. You’ll likely enjoy more convenience and a safer system.

Finding an Expert You Can Trust

We mentioned before providing information in regards to how to find the best garage door repair professional for the job. Here, you will find just what you are looking for. If you decide that the issue can’t be fixed without the help of an expert, then here is what you should do…

1. Make sure that you are hiring a credible professional in your area. This should mean they are insured and licensed, to start.  In addition, you should check to see if they provide a warranty for their parts and labor. Make note of how long they have been in business – have they been around long enough for you to trust that a 5 or 10 year warranty will actually be effective? Or do they seem like the type of business that might disappear within the next couple of years? See how long they have been established – this will help you to decide how reputable they are and how likely they are to be able to uphold a warranty.

1. Ask around for recommendations. If you can’t seem to find any friends or neighbors who have recently used a garage door service, then check online. Look at any information on the Better Business Bureau. Check Yelp. Check Facebook! There are many places that allow customers to leave real reviews.

1. See if they provide free price quotes. Most repair businesses won’t charge you for consultations or price estimates. Why? Because they know their rates are great, and they don’t mind if you take the time to compare them to other similar businesses.  Partial deposits are not unusual – as a matter of fact, more often than not, they are completely legitimate. Just make sure that you are never asked to pay the total price upfront for repairs.

If you happen to be in North Druid Hills, GA then you know who to call – Garage Door Repair NDH. Our team of experts makes sure that locals have exactly what they need, whether their garage door is strangely opening and closing on its own, or something else is going on. Most services will look into problems with tracks, springs, rollers, cables and more!

No matter where you’re based in the country, we hope this blog post has been helpful to you. Don’t panic if you can’t figure out why your garage door opens or closes without being prompted to do so – just pick up the phone and call the garage door repair provider of your choice. Typically, a quick inspection will provide all of the answers that you are looking for, and you won’t have to shell out buckets of cash to identify the issues preventing your garage door from working properly. Remember, you need it to stay closed so that unwanted persons are unable to get in. Keep this part of your property safe by having it carefully inspected when something is not working as it is supposed to. Best of luck!

Manual or Automatic Garage Door Opener

If you understand how important it is to take your time to find the best type of garage door suited to your needs, you’re likely also aware of what is involved in determining the type of garage door opener you should buy. The garage door is just as important as the door itself. It is the garage door opener that is the heart of the door since this is also where the motor is located. There are a variety of features that come with the garage door opener you choose. You will be able to decide between an automatic or manual garage door opener. While most people will admit that there are many advantages of having an automatic garage door opener installed, there are also some drawbacks. It is up to each individual to determine whether or not the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. It doesn’t matter if you’re having a new one installed or simply upgrading the garage door opener that you are having installed, you should give it careful consideration in order for it to meet the needs of you and your household. In some cases, the cost of the garage door opener may determine which type of garage door opener you’ll be able to purchase.

It is more challenging to install an automatic garage door than it takes to install a manual opener. With so many things to consider with the installation of an automatic garage door, it is a good idea to rely on the services of a professional garage door service, such as Garage Door Repair North Druid Hills in North Druid Hills, GA. We’ll make sure the opener is properly configured and it is the right one for the weight of your door. An automatic garage door opener is often more expensive than a manual opener.

Advantages of an Automatic Opener

Convenience

Some homeowners feel that the biggest advantage of an automatic garage door opener is the fact that you do not have to get out of your car to open up your garage door. This is a huge advantage when you do not have to get out in bad weather, such as rain, snow or hot temperatures. All that you’ll need to do is push a button on the remote and the door will open or close upon command. People who have small children also appreciate having an automatic garage door opener since it gives them the advantage of opening the door without hoping out of the car.

Various Types

You are capable of buying an automatic garage door opener that offers a variety of features. The speed and the way the door opens can be programmed into your remote to make it even simpler to use. You will also have the option of the type of safety features you would like have based on the type of garage door opener that you have installed. If you use your garage door often, you may decide to buy a door that has a powerful motor to accommodate your needs. If you are away frequently, it is likely that you will not need an opener as powerful as someone who is using a garage door several times a day. There are a variety of options available to you. Take your time to make sure you are able to get what suits your needs.

Safety

If safety is a big concern of yours, it is likely that you will choose an automatic garage door opener to a manual one. The problem with a manual door is that it may pose a problem if you have children who can pull the door down. They may not be aware of the weight of the door and therefore, may not be cautious about pulling the door down. If the door’s springs are not secure or are wearing out, the door may just fall on them. This is a tragedy that can be avoided with an automatic garage door. An automatic garage door opener has many safety features that can help to prevent the door from falling down. It has sensors that will stop the door if there is anything detected in its path. It is because of these features that your door remains in better shape since it will not continue knocking up against objects in its way. This saves you money in the long run because you do not have to continue paying for repairs to your door.

Upgrades Available

If you are reading this and you are considering upgrading your manual opener to an automatic garage door opener, consult with a professional installer. They will need to know the type of garage door that you currently have in order to determine whether or not they will be able to upgrade your opener. They will have to find out if there is an automatic garage door kit for the type of garage door that you are using.

Regardless of the type of garage door opener that you buy, it will benefit you best if you weight the pros and cons. Make sure that you make a decision that will benefit you in the long run unless you are having an opener installed on a home that you do not intend on living in for very long. Some people will choose an automatic garage door opener because it is more popular amongst homeowners today. However, this is not the reason to choose one over the other. You may not know why the others have chosen this type of garage door opener. Their reasons for doing so may not be a good enough reason for you to do the same. Make sure you are able to get the right type of opener for your door by consulting with a professional garage door installer with the experience and the skills to correctly install it for you. You will be able to get more from your opener if you take the time to make a wise choice.

GARAGE DOOR WON’T WORK – THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE CALLING A PROFESSIONAL

The words garage door and automatic go hand in hand. No one ever thinks of manually opening and closing your garage door each time you use it – that’s what our garage door openers are for! Think for a second; when was the last time you used your garage door? Were you taking the trash can out to the curb for pick-up? Were you backing the car up and out so that you could pick up the kids from soccer practice? Maybe you arrived home after a long day at the office. The fact is, that you used your North Druid Hills, GA garage door and you didn’t think twice about whether it would work or not; you just expected it to and rightfully so. Now, let’s say that you attempted to operate your garage door and it DIDN’T work – what then? Now, we start pondering what the problem could be. All the “what ifs?” start going through our minds, too. What if the car was trapped inside and you needed to be somewhere? What if the repair bill is going to be huge? What if a family member or friend damaged the garage door or opener and didn’t say anything? Here at Garage Door Repair NDH we often get calls from panicked people over their non-working garage doors. Sometimes we need to dispatch one of our garage door repair pros so that the problem can be fixed. Other times, we weren’t needed at all; in fact the customer could have applied some these helpful tips and saved themselves a service call and some money!

Your remote’s battery

While this might seem a little obvious; it isn’t, to many. One of the first things our North Druid Hills, GA technicians ask is if the battery to the garage door openers remote control has been checked. No matter how good the battery may have once been, they wear out with use and if your battery is dead or close to it, there won’t be sufficient power to properly operate your garage door. Do you have a battery tester at home? If so, use it and check the condition of your remote’s battery. If not, there’s a free way to get it done. Simply take your battery to a local retail store like Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, etc. They all offer free battery testing with no obligation to buy a new one from them. While you are at it, don’t forget to check your remote’s battery terminal. If your battery has leaked fluid onto the terminal, it may not work as effectively. Or, the terminals might have become loosened to the point that they don’t hold the battery firmly in place in which case all you need to do is firmly squeeze them together so that they become tighter.

Photo electric safety eyes

Your safety sensors can play a huge role in whether your garage door works or not. They may be misaligned or they might be blocked; either way, your garage door is not going to work correctly. It may start to come down and then suddenly go back up. It may not move at all. Your safety sensors were designed for a reason; to keep your heavy garage door from squashing you, your loved ones, pets and guests if they are somehow caught beneath it. Have you ever parked inside your garage, but not quite far enough in, and then noticed that your garage door went back up before it hit your trunk? That was your safety sensors at work!

Firstly, make sure the lenses to your sensors are clean and free of any cobwebs, dirt or leaves. Treat your sensor lenses as if it was a camera and wipe away anything that can potentially block the signal. Also, keep the area around your sensors free of items that might fall on them or cause them to be misaligned. Shovels, rakes, trash cans and other bulky items can not only block the sensor signal but they can move the safety eyes just enough so that the beam no longer connects.

Manual garage door lock

Another culprit might be your garage door manual lock. Check to make sure that yours in not engaged. If you attempt to open your garage door but are not successful and you still hear the opener motor running briefly before shutting off, your manual lock might be activated. You can identify this lock by looking at your garage door. It is the knob in the middle of the door with two horizontal bars that run from it to each side. Turning the handle until you hear a clicking sound releases the lock. By doing this, the horizontal bars move away from the edges of the garage door, thereby unlocking it. Sometimes garage door side locks are used. These portable locks slide into a hole in the vertical track and lock the garage door into place. They are often used when no one will be home (or expected to be!) for a while. It prevents anyone with access to the opener to gain entry into your garage. Sometimes, the lock is put into place and then forgotten about until it is discovered that the garage door won’t open.

Wall lock button

Some older garage door opening systems have a manual wall button that can lock the garage door and prevent it from opening. It is relatively easy to accidentally bump this lock and activate it. If you are not familiar with your garage door opener system be sure to check your owner’s manual to see if it has a lock on it. If you don’t have a manual that you can check, do an online search for one by entering the name and model of your opener into GOOGLE and adding the words “owner’s manual” to it. If you have exhausted these tips and your garage door still doesn’t work, it just might be time to call a local North Druid Hills, GA garage door repair tech.

CAN’T GET YOUR GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN OR SHUT? HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO!

Whenever your garage door starts to go on the blink, there are numerous causes. Some reasons are straightforward, and some are more complex. But there’s still plenty you can do.

Issues and Solutions

If your garage door won’t open, the springs are probably not staying contracted as they should. Adjustment is possible by shortening the spring cables, which adds more tension on the springs using a bracket on the cables. Do you have a garage door with one or two torsion springs? One or both could be broken. Please don’t ever try to adjust your garage door! If operated incorrectly, a garage door spring can cause serious injury, and even be deadly. The cables, drums, and bottom brackets may have to be adjusted. Or, it’s likely that the springs have to be replaced. In any case, it’s smart to hire a dependable expert. If you’re located in North Druid Hills, Georgia, consider a trustworthy local garage door company such as Garage Door Repair NDH.

Is your garage door not closing? Your garage door has a photo sensor eye on either side, and between them is an invisible beam, which, when broken, prevents the garage door from closing. Look to see if they’re grimy or misaligned. With most styles and brands of sensors, if your light’s blinking, there’s definitely something wrong. Or, if you have sensors with green and red lights, the red one general means it’s not working right.

Another problem with the sensor might be the wiring. Investigate the connections from the sensors, making sure the wires aren’t hindered by corrosion or getting loose. Another possibility is that there’s a short in the wiring, which can result from a staple used during installation; vibrations over the years can ultimately cause a disconnect. Also, a disconnection can come from the wires becoming stretched.

The transmitter batteries might be low. Maybe all you need to do is replace them and your garage door will open.

Does your door go down all the way, yet open again? It’s likely the garage door opener’s open-and-shut limit settings are malfunctioning. These settings instruct the garage door opener on how far the door needs to move before it’s closed all the way down. If set too high, the door will touch the floor before the opener thinks that it should, assuming the door is hitting an object in its path, and it will reverse so it won’t smash it. Read the operator’s manual on how to set the open-and-shut limits.

Does your garage door close part way, then open again? As we’ve pointed out, a garage door has a reversing mechanism so it won’t crush objects in its path, and the reversing instruction is activated by any objects on the ground blocking its path ~ a box, bicycle, or trash can for example. There might be debris on the garage door tracks ~ a small object or grime ~ block the rollers from moving forward. You need professional attention.

Does the garage door opener run, yet the garage door won’t budge? If a power outage happens, your garage door opener has a disconnect switch, which allows you to open or close your garage door by hand. The switch, typically attached to a rope or knob, can inadvertently get unhooked. Here’s what to do:

1. Shut or open the garage door all the way.
2. Securely reattach the hook.
3. Using the transmitter, try closing or opening the door again. It should work this time.

Does your garage door opener run for several seconds, but then turn off? When the door’s closed, this can occur when the motor attempts, but fails, to lift up the garage door.

1. Check the track for any obstacles.
2. Look at the springs.
3. Your garage door may be the kind with a built-in lock that’s engaging accidentally. If you have an older garage door, this is common.

Does your garage door slam down with a bang? You likely have a broken tension spring, which is there to properly counter the garage door’s weight. The cables connected to the tension spring are probably broken, too. Either problem is dangerous, so call a garage door repair expert immediately.

Is your garage door opening and shutting at random? If your garage door opens or shuts on its own, even while you’re away, it’s a nuisance and a security risk. Try this:

1.  Make sure the transmitters aren’t wedged under something that’s pushing down on the control mechanism. The transmitters could be beneath items you forgot in your car, or somewhere else nearby.
2. Test the transmitter’s frequency. A neighbor probably has your same exact frequency.

Your garage door track could be out of alignment. Your garage door metal track must be properly aligned, or it won’t move. See if there are any bends in the rails, or gaps between the rollers and the rail. As time passes, the garage door’s weight compounds these problems, and the door will become increasingly hazardous. Contact a garage door professional.

Prevent Future Problems

It’s relatively effortless to maintain your garage door. The minimal time required to keep your garage door in tiptop condition means you won’t have to replace it for years to come.

Establish a maintenance schedule to help your garage door last longer. If you use your garage as a shop, game room, or office, it’s even more important to lubricate your garage door rollers, springs, and hinges ~ at least annually, before winter arrives. Otherwise, eventually the springs will rust, and the coils will bind. Use a reputable brand, and it won’t dry out. A light coating is all you need.

Schedule an annual inspection with a reliable local garage door service. Pulleys, cables, springs, and wires necessitate professional attention.

Once each month, examine your garage door system’s components.

1. Replace worn parts.
2. Tighten loose bolts.
3. Look into any weird noises you hear when your garage door closes and opens.

At least every two years, clean your garage door.

1. Wash both sides with a sponge with mild dish soap and water. Rinse well.
2. Using a clean, dry cloth, clean the sensor eyes.
3. Clear the area around the sensors from cobwebs and grime.
4. If you have a wooden garage door, if there’s any chipping or peeling, apply a fresh coat of paint.
5. If you have a steel garage door, for cold-weather protection apply car wax.