When your garage door doesn’t close, your home will be vulnerable to intruders, water entry, and other threats. But not every reason for the issue requires calling a professional. Some causes are easy to fix; others are not. Here are 12 reasons a garage door won’t close to help you decide what to do.

1. Something Is In the Way

An obstruction can block the path of the photo-eye sensor, preventing the door from closing. This is a built-in safety feature to avoid damage or injury. It’s included in most garage doors built in the early 1990s and later. If the door doesn’t close, look around for furniture, a toy, debris, or anything else in the way.

2. A Sensor Is Misaligned or Malfunctioning

The photo-eye consists of a transmitter and receiver that face each other from opposite sides. If the beam is blocked by dirt or a sensor is out of alignment, the signal won’t be received, and the door will stop midway or fully reverse and open again. It’s also possible a sensor has been damaged by moisture or its mounting is broken.

3. The Operator Isn’t Powered

If the power is disconnected from the garage door operator, the garage door won’t close or open. The operator may have been unplugged accidentally. In this case, plugging it back in should get the door to close. However, a tripped circuit breaker, overloaded circuit, or faulty outlet can also prevent the operator from working.

4. The Keypad Isn’t Synced 

Sometimes, the garage door opener remote needs to be reset. But when the remote works fine and you have trouble with the keypad, resetting the code can sync it with the opener system. Check the user’s manual or a troubleshooting guide for steps on addressing the issue.

5. A Disconnected Motor

A disconnected motor is another reason a garage door won’t close. The motor has a disconnect switch that lets you open the door without the opener (if this is activated, the door won’t close but the motor may still run). This feature is useful during power outages. Or, the cord can get caught and become unplugged from the socket. Check the switch or the cord before calling a professional.

6. An Extension or Torsion Spring Is Damaged

A torsion spring helps the door open and close smoothly and runs horizontally between the two cable drums. The extension springs are mounted on the sides of the track and extend and contract as the door moves.  Both of these store tension when the door is closed and release it as the door opens. A broken spring can prevent the garage door from closing and must be replaced by a trained technician.

7. A Garage Door Cable Broke

If you have torsion springs, the cables connect to the drum and rotate a winding cone to lift the door. Extension springs have cables inside them to prevent damage if a spring fails. Over time, these cables can wear out and break due to age, rust, impacts, or poor installation; the door won’t close or may fall to the ground. The door should close again after the cable is replaced.

8. The Garage Door Track Is Bent

A damaged track can prevent the door from moving. If it’s bent or misaligned, it will put pressure on the garage door and stop it from closing. Pressure and wear and tear contribute to the problem, and when one track is not aligned, it puts pressure on the other and can cause additional damage. Contact a specialist since handling a garage door track can be dangerous.

9. The Remote Transmitter Needs a Battery

Here’s a simple reason a garage door won’t close that you can fix yourself. If the transmitter’s batteries have expired, it won’t send a signal to the garage door opener. To determine if this is the issue, press the button on the wall receiver. If the door works, replacing the dead battery should resolve the issue. Depending on the remote model, slide off the back cover or unscrew the locking component to access the batteries.

10. The Signal Is Blocked

Even if the battery is good, a blocked signal or remote that’s out of range can prevent the garage door from closing. Check whether the opener’s remote antenna is obstructed and clean it off if necessary. Dirt, objects, or tree branches can block the signal. Trim any interfering branches away but call for help if the antenna appears damaged.

11. Lock Mode Is Turned On

Check whether you accidentally locked the garage door. If so, the motor may run momentarily and shut off. Disengage the lock to get your garage door to close. If manual locks are installed, turn the handle until the horizontal bar is disengaged (you’ll hear an audible snap). The door should now operate normally.

12. The Opener Has a Stripped Gear

The garage door opener can be strained by daily use. A stripped gear will prevent the opener from functioning so, if the door is open, closing it won’t be possible. Unfortunately, the only solution is to replace the garage door opener. Call for help if the door won’t move but the opener makes a humming sound.

Contact Us for Garage Door Repairs

Based in Anaheim, CA, Mesa Garage Doors has installation and service teams across the region to address customers’ needs. Our technicians are factory trained and insured and provide any type of repair on most garage door makes and models. They promptly address common issues and fix them quickly. Whatever the reason your garage door won’t close, call us 24/7 at (714) 844-5741 to schedule your free repair estimate.

The weather can significantly affect your garage door. You might not think rain would cause issues with a well-maintained door, but that’s not always the case. A garage door is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home to water damage. If it’s compromised, your garage, the belongings you store there, and the rest of your home are not safe from the elements. When your garage door won’t close in the rain, call for help right away. 

Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close

If your area recently had heavy rain, here are some reasons you may be having garage door trouble:

The Garage Door Has Soaked Up a Lot of Moisture

Some materials, especially wood, are effective at absorbing moisture. The more water your garage door absorbs, the heavier it becomes. Excess weight can strain various components and put more force on the garage door opener than it was designed to handle. Attempting to operate the door manually may be dangerous.

Your Garage Door’s Material Has Warped

Water damage can change the size or shape of a garage door’s panels or frame. The door can then get stuck as it can no longer move smoothly along its tracks. If your garage door won’t close in the rain, continuing to operate it can cause more damage. Misshapen parts can break or cause the entire door to fail.

Metal Components Have Rusted

In heavy rain, water can reach any part of your garage door and garage door opener. Exposure to moisture can cause metal parts to rust. When parts and components corrode, mechanical issues can occur and the garage door can get stuck. 

Fallen Rainwater Has Frozen

If the temperature drops below freezing after a rainstorm, any water that’s fallen can become ice. It’s common for rainwater to pool around the rubber seals. When ice forms, it can prevent your garage door from opening (melting it with salt or heat can fix the problem). But if other parts of the system are affected, call a professional right away.

Rainwater Has Caused an Electrical Malfunction

Water can seep anywhere. If you can’t close your garage door, check whether the wall switch or its wires are damaged. Other wires that run to the garage door opener can also be affected. When this is the case, you’ll need not only a garage door repair professional but also a licensed electrician.

Your Garage Door Isn’t Well-Protected

Rain will seep through if the weather stripping has worn out. Replace the seal on the bottom and sides of the door to protect it against heavy rain. Aside from checking the weatherstripping, check your garage door’s condition. Any cracks, holes, warped panels, or alignment issues should be quickly addressed if your garage door won’t close or you find any damage. Check your door often and schedule routine maintenance or repairs to avoid such an issue.

Other ways to protect your garage door include adding a trench drain to direct rainwater away. Also, remember to clean the rain gutters above the garage so water can flow away instead of onto your garage door.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors for Garage Door Repair

Unless there’s a simple reason your garage door won’t close, such as a dead remote battery or dirty photo eye sensor, you’ll need a technician to troubleshoot and fix the problem. One wrong move can lead to more serious damage or being injured by heavy or high-tension components. We are available in Los Angeles and Orange, Riverside, Ventura, and San Bernardino Counties. If your garage door has been affected by heavy rain, call (714) 844-5741 to schedule your free garage door repair estimate.

It’s not uncommon to see glass garage doors in Los Angeles. Sleek and modern, they are desirable to homeowners who want to modernize their properties. Glass garage doors typically have an aluminum frame, which is durable, lightweight, and rust- and corrosion-resistant. If you are considering installing one in your garage, here’s a guide to help make important decisions.

What Is a Glass Garage Door?

A glass garage door functions the same as any other garage door. It is opened and closed by a standard garage door opener. A metal frame serves as the main structural component. However, glass panels determine the overall look and feel of the finished product. Glass doors can be installed in residential or commercial garages.

Glass Garage Door Options

Glass garage doors are highly customizable. For that reason, there are many considerations when purchasing one, including:

• Glass Type: Tempered glass is often standard. It is heat-treated to make it four times stronger than standard glass and won’t break into large dangerous shards. Insulated glass is thicker and increases energy efficiency if you want to keep your garage warmer. For even greater shatter-resistance and soundproofing qualities, laminated glass is available.
• Glass Thickness: The standard thickness for garage door glass is ⅛ inch. However, it’s more common for people to choose ¼-inch thick tempered glass. Insulated glass is typically available in 7/16-inch, ⅝-inch, and 1-inch thick options.
• Opacity: Frosted glass allows less light in and increases privacy. It can also have aesthetic advantages depending on the design you prefer. Window glass can be tinted, mirrored, or shaded black for the most privacy.

Cost of Glass Garage Doors

As of June 2022, installing a residential glass garage door costs $4,500 on average.1 But the actual installation cost varies. Glass garage doors in Los Angeles are found in a range of sizes, materials, finishes, and designs. Tempered glass garage doors tend to cost less than insulated or laminated units. And, generally, the larger the door, the higher the price. Common sizes include 8’ x 7’, 8’ x 8’, 9’ x 8’, 10’ x 8’, 16’ x 8’, and others.

Door style is another cost factor. Rollup doors are usually more costly than swing-up garage doors but have fewer maintenance requirements. Anodized aluminum frames are often standard, but many manufacturers offer a choice of colored powdered coatings that can add to the price. Filling the frame, rails, and stiles with an insulative layer also increases the cost. The cost of replacing or upgrading your existing garage door opener may be a factor as well.

Benefits of Glass Garage Doors

In addition to boosting your home’s curb appeal and modernizing its exterior, installing a glass garage door allows you to enjoy these perks:

• Resistance to the Elements: Unlike wood and other sensitive materials, glass doors won’t decay, rot, or warp due to weather conditions. They are also moisture- and insect-resistant.
• Durability: Most people think of glass as fragile and easily breakable. But tempered glass is much stronger. It does not wear out and is as durable as wood or aluminum panels.
• Energy Efficiency: Glass garage doors allow natural light into your garage, reducing the need for artificial light. Insulating materials keep your garage cooler in summer and warmer in winter, so your HVAC system doesn’t work as hard.
• Privacy: You can choose opaque glass that allows enough light to enter. Meanwhile, it protects your privacy inside and prevents potential intruders from taking a peek to see your valuables.
• Low Maintenance: A glass garage door doesn’t need to be re-painted or re-stained. You can remove dirt and grime with a glass cleaning solution and towel. However, you will need to clean the glass panels frequently. The aluminum frame can be cleaned with mild detergent and rinsed with a garden hose.

Accessories for Glass Garage Doors

You can add latches, pull handles, or ring pulls to your garage door. Strap hinges can also be included. There are custom door stops and seals as well. If you desire, you can install faux handles that match the style of the door. Contact your garage door installer to learn about all your options. 

Contact Us About Glass Garage Doors in Los Angeles

Mesa Garage Doors provides high-quality products and services at unbeatable prices. We install and repair all types of garage doors. Our installers and repair technicians are factory trained and covered by full liability and workers comp insurance. Conveniently located in Anaheim, we serve Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernadino County, and Ventura County. To learn more about installing a glass garage door or request repair service, call (714) 613-0646 today.

Has your garage door ever mysteriously opened by itself? If so, you know the unnerving feeling this brings on. It can put your home and family at risk. Therefore, it’s important to solve the problem quickly. Clients facing this issue may ask, “Is there an equipment problem or is it that someone opened my garage door?”

Why Would a Garage Door Open on Its Own?

Modern garage doors have sensors that detect objects. Even small debris or snow and ice can affect them. A blocked sensor can open the garage door, but this is usually when you’re trying to close it and it suddenly goes in reverse.

Another possibility is a problem with the garage door opener. The issue may be with either the wall controls or the remote. If the wall opener button is dirty, it can cause the door to go up or down. Fortunately, you can fix this by cleaning away any debris.

If this isn’t the issue, check the remote control. A sticky button, dirt, or a low battery can cause it to malfunction. Sometimes the door can open suddenly as a result. This can also happen if you hit a button by accident or something rubbed against it in your pocket. But if the remote or the opener itself seems okay, a wiring problem may be the cause; you’ll need a professional to address this.

Did Someone Open My Garage Door on Purpose?

It’s usually not that someone is playing tricks on you, but a phenomenon known as radio interference. A garage door opens and closes in response to a specific frequency. The garage door and the opener must be on the same channel whether you use a remote, indoor control, or passcode entry.

Therefore, someone may have opened your garage door if:

• A nearby radio, appliance, or wireless device operating on the same frequency interfered with it.
• Someone close by used a CB radio, police radio, or a garage door on a similar frequency.
• Your neighbor programmed their garage door to the same frequency; when they click the remote, your door is triggered as well.

To determine if your neighbor’s remote opened your garage door, ask them to test their opener at your home. This test will show if there is any interference. One unit or the other can be reprogrammed to resolve the dilemma. 

Can a Garage Door Be Hacked?

Newer garage doors can change their codes automatically, so it’s less common for a hacker to find the exact one. However, this isn’t the case with many older units. If your system has a fixed radio frequency code, a code grabber can record the signal from the opener and duplicate it to open your garage door. An intruder has essentially hacked into it.

In this scenario, it’s hard to know if someone opened your garage door. The intruder targeting your home will often leave the code grabber hidden nearby when you’re not around (so it can pick up the signal when you unsuspectingly operate the garage door). They’ll then pick up the device in the middle of the night or when you’re at work. 

But just because your system uses a rolling code or you have a smart garage door opener, that doesn’t mean it’s immune to being hacked. An intruder may try to gain control of the opener via your Wi-Fi network. To reduce the risk of trouble:

• Set up a firewall for your home network.
• Enable your smartphone’s fingerprint or face recognition feature.
• Don’t include revealing details in your Wi-Fi name.
• Choose unique, complex, and strong passwords.
• Use 2-factor authentication to make your account more secure.
• Use a different Wi-Fi network for smart devices so sensitive data are less accessible. 

Call for Help If Someone Opened Your Garage Door

If your garage door opens for no reason or has any other problem, schedule a free repair estimate with Mesa Garage Doors. Our skilled technicians will perform an inspection and can complete any type of repair fast. They’ll also determine if the mysterious issue is due to a garage door opener problem, interference from nearby, or malicious activity. We’re just as effective at securing your garage door as ensuring it is in great condition. Book service online or call 714-613-0646 today.

On their own, wood garage doors offer little thermal protection and are therefore poor insulators. Your garage may be too cold to be of any use. But you can add insulation, even to an older door, to make your garage more comfortable and energy efficient. We’ll explain how to insulate a wood garage door and what you need to consider.

What Is R-Value?

R-value measures the thermal resistance of a material or object. The higher the R-value the more resistant it is to heat flow and better it is at preventing heat loss. In many states, the minimum required R-value is R13, but a wood garage door often doesn’t have a rating of more than R2.17. A plywood garage door can be even lower. 

The R-value of an insulating material tells you its effectiveness. It’s determined by the type of insulation, its thickness, and its density. The right insulation will keep your garage warmer in the winter and cooler all summer long. 

Here’s a look at the optimal R-value depending on the type of garage:

• Detached Garage: R0 to R6
• Attached Garage: R7 to R9
• Heated Garage: R10 to R13
• Garage with Living Space Above: R14+

Is My Garage Door Insulated?

If your garage door has built-in insulation, look for white Styrofoam in between silver bars. Models with a thicker material often have a higher thermal resistance. Not all older doors are insulated as today’s standards are much stricter and more specific than those of the past.

Determine the Best Type of Insulation

There are different types of insulating materials. The best insulation for wooden frame-and-panel garage doors is foam board. The most common choices include:

• Polystyrene: Expanded polystyrene foam boards can range from R2 to R10. They are usually simple and affordable to install.
• Polyurethane: Polyurethane foam is versatile. It’s often used for kitchen sponges and is found in everything from medical dressings to sculptures. Ratings from R10 to R17.5 suit it for colder climates.

You can also purchase a new garage door that has built-in insulation. The purchase price, cost of materials, and professional installation are higher than standard units.

General Steps to Insulating a Wood Garage Door

Follow these steps if you’re updating an existing door:

• Place a mark on both sides of each door panel, vertically centered and 12 inches from each side.
• Stick double-sided tape to these pre-marked locations, and remove the front peel.
• Press a retainer clip onto the front of each piece of tape on the panel.
• Measure the panels, and write every measurement down as each panel may be a different size.
• Cut each section of insulation individually for each panel; it should be an inch or two longer than the panel’s measurements.
• Tuck the ends of the insulating material into the door panel. If the insulator is vinyl, face the vinyl side outward; if it is reflective, the reflective side should face outward.
• Press the insulation to feel the retention clips; then cut ½ inch slits to fit the front parts of the clips and secure them to the back pieces.

Installing Foam Boards

When installing foam board insulation, take measurements and cut each foam board to size with a utility knife. At the back of each panel, apply the adhesive, creating an “X” mark, and then place the cut-to-fit boards into each panel. Using a rubber mallet, hit the material with enough pressure so it fits snuggly into the panel, and repeat for the rest of the panels on the door.

When insulating the door, be attentive to its design. Additional material may be needed if the panels are larger than average. If the door does not have panels, cut insulating boards to the full size of the door or cut multiple pieces that will cover its complete surface.

Contact Mesa Garage Doors for the Latest Options

We provide and install many types and styles of garage doors in the Los Angeles area. Whether you’re looking to improve the look of your exterior, the function of your garage, or your garage door’s insulation, our team can help. Our professionals can install an insulated wood garage door as well. To schedule an appointment or book a free estimate, contact us online or call 714-975-5951.