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.

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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!