Why Your Garage Door Is Opening and Closing On Its Own

When you have a problematic garage door, it can be very annoying. It opens sometimes and won’t open at others. Sometimes you may be sitting in your favorite chair in your lounge and you hear your door going up and down. This can be upsetting and confusing for anyone. However, this is a problem that occurs more often than you are aware. You might not know the first place to look to determine why your garage door is doing this but be assured that our garage door technicians at Alpharetta Garage Door Repair in Alpharetta, GA will know where to begin to probe the problem.

Probable Causes

When your garage door goes up and down on its own, there is usually a good reason for this. There is often a reason that can be explained, we just need to determine what it is. Our technician might begin to probe the problem by focusing their attention on your circuit board. Perhaps it is something as simple as a wiring issue or even easier than this, reprogramming your garage door opener. Our service technicians have even discovered that a fuse has blown and they simply needed to replace it in order for the garage door to begin functioning as usual. Your garage door has sensors at the bottom of them on either side of the door. If there is even the smallest thing blocking the sensor, it will begin to operate on its own. It could be something like a cord, a small trashcan or even a spider web that could cause the door to begin to operate without your doing anything.

Safety Concerns

If your garage door is opening and closing on is own, it could affect the safety and security of your home and valuables. Imagine going inside your home without locking the door behind you only to go back to the garage to notice that the garage door is wide open. This is a situation that has occurred on numerous occasions to plenty of homeowners. The idea that the door was closed when you left the garage and then it later opened on its own without your knowing it can be rather unnerving. The idea that someone could have came right in and stolen your sports equipment, gym equipment, lawn supplies and equipment or anything else of value that you store in your garage is too much! Worse than this, if you have a garage door that leads directly from the garage into your home and you don’t usually lock this door, imagine the possibility of someone simply coming inside your home due to your garage door opening unexpectedly. This would be devastating indeed.

Seeking Professional Help

Homeowners who like to do things themselves are to be commended. However, there are certain things that they simply shouldn’t take chances with and something as serious as their garage door malfunctioning is one of them. A garage door is extremely heavy and can be dangerous when it is inoperable. It’s ok to do routine maintenance on your garage door, such as lubricating the parts or cleaning the sensors but the minute the door begins to malfunction, move aside and allow the qualified garage door professionals at Alpharetta Garage Door Repair have a look at it for you instead. Our technicians will use specific safety precautions that they have been trained to use when troubleshooting garage doors. Rather than making the situation any worse than it already is, why not simply allow our team of professionals resolve the problem for you and keep you out of harm’s way.

Common Reasons Your Garage Door Opens On Its Own

Your next door neighbors has the same garage door opener
Changing the access code or having the remote controls reprogrammed may remedy this problem.

Your next door neighbors has a similar garage door opener with the same frequency
Changing the access code or having the remote controls reprogrammed may remedy this problem.

Wired keypad has a short in it
Remove the keypad to troubleshoot. Replace once wiring issue has been discovered and resolved.

Wired keypad short in the wiring
Remove the keypad to troubleshoot. Replace once wiring issue has been discovered and resolved.

There may be a short in the wall button
The wiring should be removed for examination. Once the problem is determined, it can be replaced

Problem with the button wiring
The wiring should be removed for examination. Once the problem is determined, it can be replaced

Safety beam sensor wiring has a short
To troubleshoot, replace wiring to safety beam sensors. It may be necessary to upgrade from a 22 gauge wiring to 16 gauge wiring. When the temperatures drop it can cause a short in the wiring. Lower gauge wiring is thicker. Wiring will be evaluated for frays or pinches wires; these can cause a short in the wiring. Wires that have been stapled can also cause a short in the wiring because it cuts straight through the plastic coat that protects the wires.

Safety beam sensors have a short
If your safety beams are defective they will need to be replaced. They will have to be completely removed in order to troubleshoot the exact cause of your problem. When you own two of the same type of garage door openers, the safety beams of both will need to be removed to troubleshoot the problem.

Short in the logic board
You may have a defective circuit board. The circuit board will need to be removed and evaluated. When there are two of the same openers, remove the one that is working and add it to the one that isn’t working to troubleshoot.

Alpharetta Garage Door Repair in Alpharetta, GA: Garage Door Won’t Open or Close With Remote Control

Garage doors are designed to withstand large amounts of use. They are designed to open and close thousands of times without a hitch. However, they will eventually fail. One of their components will malfunction and that will make your garage door inoperable in most cases. Often, the torsion or extension springs snap. In other cases, the sensors malfunction and the door starts to function erratically. And of course, one of the motors may simply get burned and stop working entirely. However, there are times when the garage door appears to be in perfect shape, yet it does not open or close when you use the remote control. Not being able to close your garage door is dangerous, so let’s take a closer look at this problem and at how you can fix it.

The Dangers of a Garage Door That Does Not Open or Close
If the garage door fails to open when you use the remote control, you will not be able to get your vehicle out of the garage in most cases. This means you may be late for work or be late for an important meeting just because the garage door doesn’t want to open. This is not a very serious danger, so you can live with it for a couple days. Keep in mind that you can open the garage door manually using the emergency release cord; you can find a detailed walkthrough toward the end of this post.
The real danger appears when the garage door does not close, even though you tell it to using the remote control. The garage door is the largest entry point to your house. It is never a good idea to leave it open overnight. Anyone may enter your garage and steal items that can be quite expensive to replace. In addition, a burglar may attempt to enter your house through the garage. Most people don’t secure the door that leads from the garage into the house adequately. This means that an experienced thief or burglar may gain access to your home and put you and your family at risk. This is a very serious issue that you need to deal with immediately.

Why the Remote Control May Not Open or Close the Garage Door

In most cases, the problem comes from either the remote control or the garage door opener. One of the most common causes of a remote control problem is the lack of power. In many other cases, you are simply out of range and the opener doesn’t receive the command to open or close the garage door. Alternatively, the problem may come from the antenna on the garage door opener. If the antenna is damaged or blocked from receiving the signal from the remote, or if various wireless devices are interfering with it, the opener will not receive the command to open the door.

Simple Troubleshooting Steps You Can Take Immediately

To make sure the problem is coming from the remote and not the garage door itself, all you have to do is use the wall switch to open the door. If the door opens with the wall switch, then it is working as it should and the remote is having a problem.
The first thing you should do if the remote control has a problem is to change the batteries in the remote. If you suspect a problem with the antenna, make sure that it hangs down from the garage door opener and that it is not disconnected. If you are sure the antenna and the other parts of the door work as they should, you may need to reprogram the remote or have a new one made for you. A garage door repair technician can help you with any of these tasks in no time. In addition, a garage door repairman can quickly identify the problem and make the necessary repairs.
How to Open the Garage Door Manually
All garage doors were designed in such a way as to allow you to open the door from the inside in cases of emergency. It is only logical that you need to be able to open the door manually. The manufacturer knows that at one point in time, the garage door will malfunction, as nothing lasts forever. This is why they have included an emergency disconnect cord. It releases the door so that you can open it simply by applying force. Here is how you open a garage door manually:

1. Get a ladder or a stool and identify the emergency disconnect cord. It is usually a red cord that is connected to a lever. You can’t miss it.
2. Get on the ladder or stool and pull the cord. It will release the door, so that you can open it manually.
3. Carefully get down from the ladder or stool and lift the garage door with both hands. You can ask somebody for assistance, as metal doors can be quite heavy. The door should open without offering any resistance.
4. If the garage door does not move, pull the disconnect cord again and try to open the door again.
5. Remember to prop the door up with something, as it will tend to slide back down. This is very important, as it may close on your car as you reverse into the driveway.

If you are outside, you will not be able to open the door manually, except in case somebody from the inside pulls the emergency disconnect cord. So, if you are outside, you have no other option than to call a garage door repair expert or find another way to get into your garage. We recommend you give an expert from Alpharetta Garage Door Repair in Alpharetta, GA a call, as he or she will be able to open your door without damaging it. It is never a good idea to force the door to open from the outside when it is clearly experiencing a malfunction. After you get the door open, a garage door technician can troubleshoot the problem for you and repair the garage door opener, reprogram the remote, or replace the remote with a working one. Remember that if you’re in Alpharetta, Georgia, you can call our team!

Things to Examine Before Contacting Garage Door Repair Service

If you don’t mind throwing your hard earned money away, by all means contact us at Alpharetta Garage Door Repair in Alpharetta, GA to fix your garage door. The reason you may be wasting your money is because there may not be an issue with your door that you can’t easily resolve. All it takes is a little initiative on your part. If you appreciate having the ability to park your car inside your garage when it is cold, hot or raining outside, you’ll definitely love having the convenience of a garage. However, if you’re experiencing problems with your garage door, this convenience is threatened.

Your garage door is very heavy and can be dangerous to handle. We are not suggesting that you troubleshoot to the point that you will harm yourself. However, examining your garage door doesn’t always require you to touch anything, unless you recognize the problem as something very simple. We know that some people enjoy a DIY project but making repairs to your garage door shouldn’t be one of them. To avoid being harmed, don’t risk a few dollars. Instead, contact a reliable garage door repair service to assist you when necessary.

Identifying the Problem

Even when trying to identify your problem, we would still caution everyone to be cautious. There are a lot of things that can go terribly wrong with an automatic garage door if the wrong things are pressed. Rather than taking chances that can be dangerous to you or others around you, don’t touch anything unless you know exactly what it is and how it operates. Things like your springs, rollers, tracks, and even your garage door opener, should be handle by a professional service technician.

Here are some things you can safely examine.

While lowering your garage door, pay close attention to it as it is going down.

• If the door shakes, there might be a problem with the rollers

• If you hear some strange sounds while it is being lowered, this could be due to a number of factors. You should identify exactly where the noise is coming from. This is the only way that the problem can be properly resolved.

• If the door refuses to go all the way to the floor or it won’t open up all the way, this usually means there is a problem with the garage door opener. When you notice this occurring, this would be a good time to contact our professional repair technicians. A garage door opener has many moving parts that can be dangerous if handled incorrectly.

Resolving the Problem
Your owner’s manual is often the best place to look for resolution to the most common problems that you’ll experience with your garage door. In most cases, it will clearly outline when the services of a professional garage door service is necessary.

Common Issues and Fixes

1. Track Problems

When there are dents on your metal tracks, you can fix this problem by putting a wood block over the damaged area. Lightly tap the block to straighten out any dents that you find. If you hit the block with too much strength, you can create even more dents. Remember what your objective is and don’t apply too much pressure when hitting the wood block.

2. Misaligned Tracks

When you have misaligned tracks, they have to be loosened. To do this you’ll need to loosen the screws of the part of the tracks that are misaligned. All you’ll need to do is tap it back into its grooves. A leveler is a good way to ensure that it is straight. If it isn’t, you will defeat your purpose and continuing to use the garage with misaligned tracks will create further problems.

3. Damage to the Garage Door

This could be because of someone backing into the garage door too many times or bad weather. In most cases, it is because of someone backing into the garage door one too many times. If you’ve backed into your door more times than you can count, chances are that you are experiencing some type of problems with it. It is simply impossible not to. This is typically how the tracks of your door become misaligned. In some cases, doing he aforementioned simply will no longer work; you’ll need a new door. Depending on the type of garage door you have, you may or may not recognize the damage. However, if you determine that it is off track, this will require the services of a professional garage door service.

Call for Professional Service

Even though we have mentioned a couple of reasons for you to contact a professional garage door service, here are just a couple of more reasons:

Spring, hinge, cable problemswould all require the services of a qualified professionals. While you can certainly lubricate them yourself, when it comes to actually trying to repair these things, it is better if you leave this work to a qualified, trained professional. Sometimes simply lubricating the parts will remedy the problem, however, if it doesn’t, it’s time to call in the experts.
We understand that there are a lot of DIY video’s on the Internet these days. Just because they are there doesn’t mean you should use them, especially when it comes to something as important as your garage door. With so many videos about garage door repairs on the Internet, it stands to reason that there are some rather common problems that people tend to experience involving their garage door. However, there are simply certain things that you shouldn’t attempt to handle on your own, such as your garage door springs. They can be extremely dangerous due to the amount of tension they have in them. The DIY video may not tell you this or show you how this might be a problem. The downside is that if you attempt to handle your spring problem on your own, you could seriously injure yourself. We suggest you avoid injury by contacting a professional garage door service.

Alpharetta Garage Door Repair in Alpharetta - Live Stream Edit

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CAN’T CLOSE OR OPEN YOUR GARAGE DOOR? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

CAN’T CLOSE OR OPEN YOUR GARAGE DOOR? HERE’S WHAT TO DO!

If your garage door is on the blink, there are various causes your garage door is acting up. Some are simple; some are more complicated. But don’t waste your valuable time panicking. There are plenty of things you can do yourself.


Problems and Solutions

Alpharetta Garage Door Track Repair

What if your garage door isn’t closing? The garage door has a photo sensor eye on both sides. Between them is an invisible beam, which, when broken, stops the garage door from closing. Examine closely to see whether they’re misaligned or grimy. Depending on which style and brand of sensors you’ve got, if the light’s blinking, there’s definitely something wrong. Or, if you’ve got sensors with green and red lights, the red one usually means it’s not functioning fully.

An additional sensor issue may be the wiring. Look at the sensors’ connections, making sure the wires aren’t loose or corroded. Another possibility is that there’s a short in the wiring, which can result from a staple used during the initial installation; vibrations over time can ultimately lead to a disconnect. Wires can also become stretched, resulting in disconnection.

What if your garage door won’t open? Then probably the springs are failing, not remaining contracted as they ought to. Try shortening the cables using a bracket to add additional tension on the springs. If your garage door has one or two torsion springs, one or both might be broken. Never attempt to adjust your garage door! If serviced incorrectly, a garage door spring can cause injury or even be deadly. The drums, cables, or bottom brackets may also require adjustment. Or, it’s likely that the springs need replacing. In either case, it’s a good idea to hire a reliable garage door expert. If you live in Alpharetta, Georgia, consider a reputable local garage door company such as Alpharetta Garage Door Repair.

What if your garage door goes down all the way, then opens again? The open-and-shut limit settings of your garage door opener are probably malfunctioning. The settings instruct the garage door opener on how far the garage door should move before it closes all the way. If it’s set too high, the door will hit the floor before the opener presumes it should, thinking that the door is hitting an object in its path. If so, it will reverse so as not to smash it. Read the operator’s manual for the steps to follow to set the open-and-shut limits.

Does the garage door opener run, yet the garage door won’t move? If a power outage occurs, your garage door opener has a disconnect switch, so that you can open or close the garage door manually. The switch, attached to a rope or knob, can get unhooked inadvertently.

1. Close or open the garage door all the way down.
2. Securely reattach the hook.
3. With the transmitter, try closing or opening the door again. It ought to work now.

Does the garage door shut and open at random? If your garage door shuts or opens on its own, that’s a nuisance and a security risk. Try this:

1. Check the transmitter. Make sure it’s not wedged beneath an object pressing down accidentally on the control mechanism. For example, your transmitter may be under an item you forgot you left in your vehicle, or someplace else close by.
2. Test the frequency of the transmitter. Your neighbor may have your exact same frequency.

Does your garage door opener run for several seconds, but then turn off? This happens when the garage door’s shut; the motor tries yet fails to lift the door.

1. Look at the track for possible obstacles.
2. Inspect the springs.
3. See whether your garage door is the type with a built-in lock, since perhaps it’s been engaging by mistake. This generally occurs with older garage doors.

Does your garage door shut part of the way, yet open again? A garage door has a reversing mechanism so it won’t crunch objects in its path. The reversing instruction is activated by any objects on the ground blocking the garage door’s path ~ a bicycle, box, or garbage can. You might find debris on the tracks ~ a tiny object or grime ~ that’s keeping the rollers from going forward. This requires professional attention.

Your garage door track could be out of alignment. The metal track of the garage door has to be properly aligned, or it just won’t budge. See if there are gaps between the rail and the rollers, or bends in the rails. As the years go by, the garage door’s weight can compound these issues, so it’s time to hire a garage door professional, because the door is going to get gradually more hazardous to operate.

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

Does the garage door slam with a loud bang? You may have a broken tension spring, which works to counter the garage door’s weight. It’s likely that the cables connected to the tension spring are broken. Either can be dangerous. Contact a garage door technician.


Avoid Garage Door Problems in the Future

Alpharetta Garage Door Sections

Maintaining your garage door is rather easy. The minimal effort needed to keep the garage door in tiptop condition means you won’t need to replace it for a long time.

Every month, look at your garage door system’s components.

1. Tighten loose bolts.
2. Replace worn parts.
3. If you notice any strange noises when your garage door shuts and opens, don’t procrastinate; investigate.

Every other year, clean the garage door.

1. Wash both sides with a sponge with mild dish soap and water, and rinse well.
2. Clean the sensor eyes with a dry cloth.
3. Keep the area around the sensors free from grime and cobwebs.
4. If your garage door is made of steel, apply car wax for cold-weather protection.
5. If the garage door is wooden, if you see peeling or chipping, apply a fresh coat of paint.

Schedule an inspection once per year with a local trusty garage door repair company. Cables, springs, pulleys, and wires require expert attention.

Follow a routine maintenance schedule to make your garage door last longer. If your garage doubles as a shop or office, it’s essential to lubricate the hinges, springs, and rollers ~ annually, before winter arrives. Otherwise, eventually the coils will bind and the springs will rust. Choose a reputable brand, so it won’t dry out. Only a light coating is needed.

Alpharetta Garage Door Repair: Garage Door Issues in Cold Weather

Some places in the United States see extremely cold weather. In some cases, the freezing temperatures can be damaging to property. Alpharetta Garage Door Repair is a company that serves Alpharetta, GA and the surrounding area, and the team of professionals at this renowned local business has put together information in regards to the most common issues that garage doors will see as a result of cold weather. No matter where you live, if you have noticed that your garage door isn’t operating as it should, and you believe that this is a direct result of changing temperatures, then hopefully you will find this information to be useful. If you think that your garage door is not safe to operate, then avoid using it. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Have a look at the common problems outlined below, and see if they relate to the concerns that you are dealing with.
1)    The garage door will not open or close properly.
When the temperatures drop, sometimes parts of your property stop working correctly. Is your garage door refusing to close smoothly? Does it get stuck or jam a bit when you are trying to open it? First, of course, make sure that nothing is misaligned. Occasionally, the simple solution is that parts just need to be lubricated. But if you have done these things, and you can tell that the garage door is not out of balance, then you likely need the hands of an expert. Parts could have been damaged because of freezing temperatures, but a professional will be able to figure this out in a way that is safe.
2.)    The garage door is very loud when opening or closing.
If your garage door is noisier than normal, ask yourself if it might be because the temperatures are dropping outside. If this is the case, then the probable solution is lubrication. Check your tracks, springs and hinges and ensure they are lubricated. If you have already done this and there is still a problem in regards to the level of noise coming from the garage door, get on the phone with an expert.
3.)    There is a problem with regards to weather stripping.
In areas that see snow and ice, problems with weather stripping becoming glued or stuck to the ground can arise. What happens is that the weather stripping tears when the garage door is being opened. What are some problems that come up when weather stripping rips? It doesn’t work correctly or serve its purpose. This might mean that your insulation is nonexistent. It might mean that your energy bill rises. To prevent weather stripping from getting stuck to the ground because of ice, be sure to shovel away any snow that is around your garage door.
4.)    Grease has hardened.
Have a look at your tracks, springs and hinges. Look at your rollers. Do you notice grease? If so, try to remove it, but make sure to be safe when handling your heavy garage door. If grease is left to sit and become hard, it can cause the garage door to stop working as it is supposed to.
5.)    Metal contracts.
When metal starts to contract, you might notice that parts break. Springs and screws, for example, can become damaged if metal is contracting due to cold temperatures. The simple solution is to ensure everything stays properly oiled or lubricated.

 

When temperatures drop outside, problems tend to arise with garage doors. If you have a basic idea of what to look for, then many of these issues can be solved by you, as the property owner. But when things start to get a little more detailed, it is always a good idea to get in touch with an expert. Any professional will tell you that it is dangerous to handle important parts like springs on your own. Sure, they might just need a bit of lubrication, but if you notice that this doesn’t do the job, then you might be tempted to try winding or adjusting them yourself. You don’t want to make a mistake and cause the garage door to fall down. Inspections don’t tend to cost a lot of money with any local garage door repair company, so it is a wise idea to call in an expert when you have questions or concerns about parts that you aren’t sure how to deal with.
In Alpharetta, you have the option of reaching out to the team at Alpharetta Garage Door Repair. This is a team of experts that comes highly recommended and clearly cares about their customers. We want you to enjoy a garage door that lasts, and we will help you to achieve this.
Stay warm when it gets cold outside, and make sure that your garage stays properly insulated. Check your weather stripping, make sure parts are oiled, and make sure to clean up any snow or ice that is surrounding your garage door as quickly as you possibly can. Keeping everything clean can help you to save money in the long run. Your garage door is a very important part of your property, so don’t let it fall apart due to a drop in temperatures. The weather might constantly be changing, but this doesn’t mean that the care you give to your property should change at all. Be mindful of your garage door so that it stays in great shape for as long as possible. If you have any further questions, reach out to a local garage door repair professional in your area. Be sure to hire a team that is highly reviewed, has the appropriate certification and insurance, and that is available to meet your needs. You might need 24/7 emergency assistance, and many local garage companies are willing to provide this. Best of luck in the maintenance of your valuable garage door. Keep things in great shape no matter how cold it might be outside!

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