• How to Stop Your Garage Door from Opening on its Own

The garage door is an essential part of your home; it adds to your home’s curb appeal and gives you and your family an extra level of safety and convenience. Our garage doors are important to us; we use them multiple times a day, which puts more stress on the door than we realize. And we only realize how vital our garage doors are when they stop working correctly.

Also, automatic garage door openers are prone to various problems, most of which are reasonably easy to fix with routine troubleshooting and maintenance. But one of the more perplexing issues is when the door opens and closes by itself.

It seems quite ghostly, having your garage door operate with a mind of its own. It can be a security problem when it opens to expose your belongings when you aren’t home. A garage door that closes on its own is also a safety concern, especially for children.

Garage doors are complex mechanisms, and when any part of the device fails, no matter how small, it can affect the entire door. When a garage door opens on its own, it may indicate a problem with the mechanism.

Below are four reasons garage doors open on their own:

1. Radio Interference

Garage doors typically use radio frequencies to open and close. Whether you’re using the buttons inside the garage, the passcode entry, or your remote opener, the openers and garage door have to be on the same frequency.

Other devices may also use the same frequencies. Police radios, CB radios, and your neighbour’s garage doors may be on similar or even the same frequencies.

Two different garage doors can accidentally be programmed to the same channel, which can create problems. When your neighbour uses their remote to open or close their door, it may cause your door to open, too!

If the frequency is the problem, you’re lucky—we have an easy fix. We can just reprogram your garage door’s openers, and it should be back to working order.

2. Debris Below the Door

Electric garage doors generally make our everyday lives easier. From saving us from clearing our cars of snow and ice in the winter to keeping our cars dry in the rain, they do a lot for us. Garage doors have many parts that work together well, including a lot of safety features.

Your garage door has a sensor near the ground to ensure nothing is stuck underneath the door when it closes. If the door goes up on its own after you close the door, check for any debris the sensor is picking up.

The door will not close if anything is blocking its path. Be sure to double-check there is nothing below the door if it continues to open after you close it.

3. Remote Opener Issues

Check the remote opener. If the remote opener’s batteries are failing or dirty, it may cause the door to open on its own.

The remote’s batteries may be out of order or may just not be appropriately positioned. Try double-checking their position or change them to see if your garage door stops opening on its own.

4. Circuit Board Issues

When your garage door descends on command but then immediately reverses itself, the problem is usually with the door’s wheel binding in its tracks or with the sensor eyes along the side tracks. But when the door begins to descend independently, the problem may lie with the opener’s logic board or the circuitry inside the motor unit itself.

Don’t worry if this happens though, our garage door technicians at Automated Door Systems can easily solve this problem.

Count on Automated Door Systems to Repair Your Garage Door

When your garage door begins acting up, it can cause a massive disruption in your day-to-day life. If your garage door opens up on its own and you can’t figure out why it’s time to call our professionals.

At Automated Door Systems, we’re ready to fix any issues with your garage door to get it working like brand new again, and we can stop your garage door from opening on its own. Get in touch with us today to schedule your service or repair!

Like most other things, garage doors don’t last forever. We take care of them by maintaining them and addressing any issues—minor and major—but they still break down. Having a broken door is a good reason to replace it.

However, many people decide to replace their garage doors for reasons other than a breakdown. If you’re unsure if you need a new garage door or you want one but cannot justify it, think again. You might be surprised to learn the reasons why replacing your current door (that may still function) for a newer and modern option is such a great option.

Here are the 6 main reasons to consider replacing your garage door:

To Increase Your Home’s Value

By replacing or repairing your home’s garage door, you’ll increase the value of your home and its curb appeal. If you ever decide to sell your house, you’ll be happy to know that it’s going to be worth more simply because of the repairs that have been done to it.

To Replace a Door that is No Longer Working

By replacing a door that no longer works, you can improve the efficiency of your home. Let’s say that you are no longer using the garage door because it does not work, or its tracks are broken. By replacing it entirely, you’ll have the beauty of automation, which will allow you to open and close the door at the touch of a button.

To Improve Cooling & Heating Efficiency

If you have an older, poorly insulated garage door installed, it is probably losing heated or cooled air regularly. This can be an issue because you’re left with a higher utility bill due to heating or cooling loss. Replacing the door is essential for saving energy costs, which will save you money over the long term.

To Improve Aesthetics

Older garage doors can look shabby and unsightly, which is why you should consider buying a new residential garage door for your home. Apart from increasing your home’s value, it will also enhance the look of your property, which in turn can make you feel more at home.

To Store Items Safely

An older garage door may simply not be safe for your items. If there are dents, holes, or any other problems with the door, it can be incredibly problematic because your possessions in the garage can be destroyed due to weather and other elements. Replacing the door on your garage is an excellent way for you to keep your possessions inside as safe as possible, which in turn allows you to feel confident in them being stored away.

To Improve Security

Your old garage door may not be as secure as it used to be. The lock might not be working, or you might have issues keeping it closed, which is why it is imperative to get a new garage door to improve the overall security of your home. You can ask us for an opinion if you are having trouble deciding.

Automated Door Systems is here for you

Garages are great—they keep our cars safe and secure, whatever the weather, and they can add plenty of value to our homes. Your garage can be your storage space, a place for your car, or even a studio if you want to get creative!

Add an electric garage door opener, and you can throw convenience into the extensive list of things a garage offers. With the click of a button, you can enhance your security and your privacy, but what do you do when your garage door doesn’t budge? 

If your garage door is stuck open, the integrity or security of your home is automatically compromised. But, not to worry, there are a variety of factors that prevent a garage door from closing, and most of them are easily identified and fixed. When a garage door doesn’t shut, clearly that’s a sign that some garage door repair is in the offing. The following 5 reasons will tell you why your garage door isn’t closing and how to identify them!

Obstructions 

The sensors for a garage door opener can sometimes be obstructed by everyday items like dirt or debris, as well as clutter within the garage itself. Removing these is not easy, so it would best be handled by a professional from Automated Door Systems.

Transmitter Batteries Need to be Replaced

Power is needed to open and close your garage door, and it comes from your transmitter. Your transmitter runs on batteries. The transmitter can’t send signals to your garage system if its batteries have no juice

To figure out if this is the problem or not, it’s best to call a garage door repair professional to evaluate the transmitter. But if this is the issue, it’s a simple fix: either you can replace the batteries yourself, or our garage door repair professional can easily replace your transmitter batteries for you.

Loose or Broken Springs 

The garage door won’t shut if the high-tension springs on a garage door are not in good working condition. And professionals must be the ones to fix them since the potential for serious injury to someone untrained is high. Therefore, garage door repair of this nature again demands the skilled and highly trained employees from Automated Door Systems.

Broken Cable or Jammed Pulley

If the garage door cable is either dangling or tangled up, it must be broken. And if the pulley isn’t at a 90-degree angle or looks like it’s rubbing on the track, it’s jammed. In either case, an experienced professional should handle the garage door repair or garage door installation if you decide to buy a new one.

The track is Out of Alignment

In some situations, the constant opening and shutting of garage doors can increase the chance that the rollers will come out of alignment. In this situation, too, a professional who’s done it before can quickly take care of the problem and avoid the possibility of the problem being magnified by someone unfamiliar with the process.

BY NOW YOU MUST KNOW WHY YOUR GARAGE DOOR WON’T CLOSE

It’s easy to panic if you’re experiencing garage door issues. If your residential garage door or even your commercial garage door won’t close, this signifies a minor issue or a major repair. This list of common issues should help you troubleshoot the potential cause, but it’s always best to call Automated Door Systems’s garage door repair service.

Are you having issues with your garage door in Ottawa, Kingston, and Montreal or nearby areas? Look at our garage door repair services, and then contact us at your earliest convenience.

In an attempt to save money, many homeowners try to do their own home repairs, especially garage door repairs, even when they don’t know what they’re doing. While a clogged toilet or a leaky faucet may be an easy fix, thinking that a DIY garage door repair is easy is a common misconception.

Before you start repairing your garage door on your own, take some time to consider the following 8 common misconceptions about garage door repair:

1) Repairs Can’t Be That Difficult

Garage doors are complicated—not only are they heavy, they have many components, including lots of hinges and rollers, a screw or chain-drive motor, cables, remote controls, a wall switch, and a magic eye. Replacing a roller is easy, but knowing how to repair and adjust an entire drive mechanism can be difficult.

2) A slow door is not a warning sign of failure

Garage doors often warn us before failing. A slow garage door is often a warning sign that something isn’t working the way it should. Slow opening and closing speed is something to keep an eye on. Pay attention, because if a garage door falls on you, it can result in severe injury or death. If your garage door is slowing down, call the professionals at Automated Door Systems now.

 3) Cutting the power is all I need to do to stay safe

Yes, by switching the circuit breaker to cut power to the motor, you can ensure you don’t suffer an electric shock. But it won’t protect you from injury arising from a broken spring or hinge, or the weight of the door. Sadly, garage doors have amputated more fingers and blinded more eyes than any other household item, so the circuit breaker may not save you a trip to the ER. Call us; we can help.

4) It’s Just a Noise, and I Can Fix That

Yes, it may be just dirt on the track, but if the noise is still there after you have climbed the ladder and cleaned the tracks, it may be a sign of impending failure. Garage doors fail at the most inconvenient times, so have our professionals check it out.

5) Garage Door Companies are too Expensive

But is saving a little bit of money worth losing a finger or an eye? Local garage door repair companies like ours are part of the communities they serve, so they rely on happy customers telling others about their positive experiences.

6) They Will Try to Sell Me a New Door

Well-respected garage door repair companies or garage door technicians know that a good door should last about 25-30 years. They are also aware that a satisfied customer, who received a speedy and well-priced repair, can be a great ambassador for them. They cannot build strong reputations by trying to sell new doors.

7) Replacing Both Springs is a Total Waste of Money

The springs age as the door does. A new spring will be stiffer, so pairing a new spring with an old one is likely to make the door operate unevenly. It will shorten the life of the old spring and can lead to another door failure, more inconvenience, and yet another repair job. Replace them both. Be safe, protect your home and your health and always call a professional. You’ll be glad you did.

8) Repair Warranties are Worthless

Warranties from us are worth exactly what we say, and they can save you money in the long run. But self-repairs carry no warranty. 

For professional garage door repair services you can depend on in Montreal, Ottawa, and Kingston, call Automated Door Systems today. We are a one-stop solution for garage door installation and all your garage door problems.

Thinking about a new garage door installation? Or maybe you want to add a little bit of curb appeal to your home? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We at Automated Door Systems know which garage door will fit your needs.

Selecting a garage door according to your home’s exterior design can be confusing. What kind of material should you choose? Should you go with a timeless, classic design? What about something sleek and modern? Do you need polyurethane insulation? And what about colour?

We know you’ve got questions, and fortunately, we’ve got all the answers. Read on to find out more about what you should consider when shopping for your new garage door. 

All Garage Door Materials Are Not the Same

One of the most important things for you to consider when planning your new garage door installation is the type of material you prefer. If you don’t know anything about garage door materials, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Scroll down to learn more. 

• Wood composite - A modern take on classic wood garage doors, these doors feature a solid wood frame that typically has a fiberboard overlay. Their appearance is strikingly similar to traditional wood, but they are much cheaper. But, you’ll need to be careful and call us for routine maintenance if you choose this material.

• Steel -If you’re looking for longevity along with substantial insulation, steel doors are a great choice. They’re fully customizable, so you can select the aesthetic details that match perfectly with your home’s exterior design. More importantly, steel doors are very low maintenance, but this material does have one drawback: it’s prone to denting. But with proper care, a steel door will last you more than 20 years.

• Fiberglass -Fiberglass is more dent-resistant than steel, but it provides less insulation. You still have the option of adding insulation to a fiberglass door. This material also fares well in the longevity department; fiberglass doors usually last for 15–30 years with very little maintenance. 

• Aluminum -Aluminum is another popular material choice due to its longevity and durability. The material is thinner than steel, meaning it may dent more easily, but on the flip side, it’s less prone to rusting. Aluminum garage doors are fully customizable, and they can even look like real wood if you want.

• Vinyl -Often referred to as “kid-proof,” vinyl garage doors are virtually dent proof, so they’re a great choice if you have young children around who are prone to accidental run-ins. This material is quite similar to fiberglass and offers impressive longevity with very little maintenance.

Design Your Exterior Aesthetic

Last but not least, do you know which style of garage door you want? What type of design complements your exterior aesthetic perfectly? When it comes to choosing a garage door style, you have countless options. You can select from: 

• Clean and contemporary garage doors -Modern, contemporary, and sleek door designs add a touch of sophistication and class to mid-century modern exterior designs.

• Unique, carriage-style doors -Also referred to as barn-style doors, they feature distinctive paneling and lend a rustic feel to mission- or craftsman-style home exteriors.

• Classic, raised-panel garage doors -Raised-panel door design is the tried-and-tested, standby design that can complement just about any home exterior. These garage doors are perhaps the most common ones found in neighbourhoods throughout the country.

Insulation and Energy Efficiency

If your garage shares one or more walls with your living room or bedrooms, it’s a good idea to select an insulated door. Adequate garage door insulation will help maintain a more comfortable temperature within those rooms and help you cut down on your cooling and heating costs. Moreover, insulated garage doors tend to operate more quietly than their non-insulated counterparts, so you’ll make less of a racket when you leave for the day.

CONTACT Automated Door Systems FOR A NEW GARAGE DOOR TODAY

We at Automated Door Systems are committed to helping you find the perfect garage door to fit your needs. And, once you’ve found it, our garage door repair and installation team will ensure a seamless, stress-free install. For over 40 years, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners just like you install and maintain their garage doors, and we’d love to make you our next fully satisfied client.

To learn more about our garage door repair and other services, give our team a call or leave us a message on our contact page. For your convenience, you can also request a residential or commercial quote online!

If your garage door was recently installed, it should be problem-free for a long while. However, sometimes a faulty part may slip through, leading to unexpected damage to your garage door. Or maybe it’s been a long time, and a part of your garage door has passed its average lifespan. In either case, you need residential garage door repair.

If you have an automatic garage door, repairing it may seem even more urgent. You may be tempted to try these repairs yourself using DIY techniques, but you should never attempt to repair your garage door yourself for the following reasons:

For Safety

A garage door is a heavy piece of equipment with many moving parts. Fooling around with it when you’re not a professional can be pretty dangerous. Sure, you can find some instructional DIY garage door repair videos on YouTube that may make it look easy.

But keep in mind that they’re not going to bring you to the hospital when the door falls on you and breaks your leg, or your hand gets mangled in a garage door mechanism. Letting our professionals handle your residential garage door repair for you means that you are safe and not at risk of being injured.

To Prevent Additional Damage

You might be pretty handy around the house. But when it comes to automatic garage door repairs, handy just doesn’t cut it. You probably don’t have the experience the professionals do. Professionals at Automated Door Systems are trained to avoid mistakes that could make the problem worse.

Plus, you’re a rare breed if you’ve never set about fixing something and accidentally created a problem that is worse. Mistakes happen, but if you make a mistake fixing your garage door on your own, it could be an extremely costly one.

You Might Miss an Opportunity

If your garage door has broken down, then replacing it would be a wise choice. A brand-new garage door will be even more attractive and functional than the one you already own.

That old garage door of yours will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Moreover, if you go about fixing your old door, you may miss an opportunity to upgrade. Maybe this is the perfect chance to move on to a new one.

Don’t Worry—Automated Door Systems is Here for You

For these reasons and more, garage door repair service is better left to the experts and professionals such as Automated Door Systems. We have been replacing, installing, and repairing garage doors for many years.

Our highly experienced team knows what is required to do the job right, so we’ll have your garage door functioning properly again in no time. Our garage door technicians can also tell you when it’s time for a new garage door and which one would be a perfect fit for your home.

If you’ve got a commercial garage door that needs repairing or replacing, put away your toolbox and make a service call to schedule a repair, find out more about a new garage door installation, or get a free estimate. And if your garage door fails unexpectedly and needs to be fixed immediately, our emergency service is here for you.

We know that having a garage door is incredibly convenient. But do you know that your door can be a target for thieves if it’s not properly secured? The last thing a homeowner wants is a burglar using a garage door to gain access to their house.

It’s time for you to learn about the best garage door security measures if you don’t already. To help keep your home safe, here are some great tips for securing your garage.

Inspect Your Door

Carefully inspect your garage door from time to time. Check if there are any cracked windows and gaps in the weather-stripping. Thieves and burglars generally target these small vulnerabilities to break into your house through the garage. Also, inspecting your garage door when the season changes is always a good idea.

You should especially check for vulnerabilities when the cold winter months turn into spring. You may find that ice and snow, along with the winter weather, have worn down weather-stripping or other parts of the door.

Hide Your Opener

You must keep your garage door opener out of sight as thieves often break into cars to get garage door remote controls. They can snag the remote control, and one look at the insurance slip sitting in the glove box will tell them exactly where you live. So, when you are parked at work, or anywhere else, always keep your garage door opener hidden to discourage thieves from targeting your vehicle.

Install a Side Lock

Think about installing a manual garage door side lock to use when you’re away from home for longer periods. These locks cannot be unlocked with a remote and require you to manually unlock, making this an inconvenient task if you are opening and closing the garage door daily.

Add Lighting

Have a motion-activated flood-light installed just above your garage door. If someone plans to gain access to your home through your garage, these motion-activated lights can help deter unwarranted entry.

Keep it Closed

This one is quite obvious—always keep your garage door closed. If your garage doors are left open, it makes it incredibly easy for anybody to steal your stuff or gain access to your home. Wi-Fi-enabled garage door openers are a good option; they allow you to check whether your door is open from anywhere in the world. Make good use of them to keep your home safe and secure.

Choose a New Code

Always keep your garage door codes safe and secure by changing them frequently. Add a reminder on your calendar to change them every six months (or on a schedule that meets your needs). You’ll significantly enhance the overall security of your garage door and your home if you do so.

Need Garage Door Repair or Installation? Contact Automated Door Systems Now!

We at Automated Door Systems understand that a high-quality garage door is a significant investment. And we’re here to help you care for your door throughout its lifespan. Our expert team has over 40 years of experience, and they are ready to put their skills to work to keep your residential garage door in perfect working condition.

And if you need products to help keep your garage and your home safe, Automated Door Systems provides a range of garage door products and services for home and business owners in Montreal, Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today and solve all your garage door installation and repair problems.

Most families use their garage about 3–4 times a day. This means that they open their garage door by moving it up and down around 1,000 to 1,500 times throughout a year. Within these 1,000–1,500 times, there are a lot of possibilities for an accident to happen. Garage doors can quickly become a significant safety concern if you do not take care of them properly.

The NEISS (National Electronic Injury Surveillance System) reports that ERs (emergency rooms) treat over 15,000 people suffering from garage door injuries every year. Avoid becoming another statistic at all costs by using these proven garage door tips to keep your entire family safe.

Check the Safety Sensors

Checking safety sensors is very important. First, find the safety sensors. They will be about six inches off the ground attached to the rails where the garage door goes up and down. These sensors should be in optimum condition. Their primary job is to prevent the garage door from closing if it senses a person or animal walking underneath it.

You can test your garage door safety sensors by first pushing the button to close the garage door, and then placing an object in front of one of the sensors before the door closes. If your safety sensors are working correctly, they should stop immediately and reverse once the beam is blocked. If this does not happen, call Automated Door Systems’s professionals in Montreal or Toronto to schedule an appointment for any needed repairs.

Watch Your Fingers

NEISS further reports that over 7,500 injuries happen yearly, from fingers getting stuck between the panels of garage doors. While some newer garage doors come with “pinch protection” that dramatically reduces the risk of these injuries, it is still important to teach kids not to stick their hands between the panels of a garage door when closing.

Inspect Your Garage Door Monthly

Garage door springs should always be strong enough to lift the door and hold it up so that it does not fall. Look them over about once a month to make sure the springs are not rusted. If they look like they are in poor condition, call us for a garage door spring replacement.

Moreover, you should check how the pulley system is holding up at least once a month. This will help prevent your garage door spring from accidentally snapping and causing a severe injury. Remember that the main garage door springs are under a ton of tension, and should only be adjusted by a trained and licensed garage door repair technician.

Hire a Garage Door Repair Professional

Of course, you want your garage door to be safe and reliable. Here at Automated Door Systems, we want the same thing. Our crew consists of highly skilled professionals with all the latest garage door safety training and are licensed in garage door services. Plus, they are up to date with all the new products when it comes to garage door repairs.

If you are still concerned about the safety of your garage door, our technicians will be more than happy to perform an inspection and make any necessary repairs. All you have to do is call us; we’ll sort out all your garage door problems.