Garages are often overlooked in home security, yet 9% of burglaries occur through a garage door. As a homeowner, you want to protect your family and property, and increasing your garage door’s security is a critical step.
By identifying vulnerabilities in your garage door and implementing effective solutions, you can help prevent garage break-ins and have the peace of mind you deserve.
Common Weak Points in Garage Security
Garage doors do more than add to your daily convenience. They serve as entry points to your home, making spotting and addressing potential risks vital.
Compromised Emergency Release Cord
Most automatic garage door openers have an emergency release cord. It’s a red rope with a bright red handle hanging from the center of the ceiling near the garage door. The emergency release cord is designed to disengage the garage door from the opener during a power outage.
Resourceful criminals can half-open the first garage door panel from the top and use a hanger to pull on the cord, turning off the automatic function. They can then manually open the garage door.
Outdated Garage Door Openers
If you haven’t updated your garage door opener in years, it may still use fixed codes. Fixed codes can be a security risk, as they can be hacked or cloned using simple technology.
Visible Valuables and Lack of Privacy
Whether your garage door is open most of the day or has low windows, openly displaying your valuables allows people to see what you own. Opportunists can window shop, surveying how many items they can take.
Worn or Damaged Doors
The state of your garage door is also a crucial factor. Check your panels for gaps, slits or cracks. Any rust or damage makes garage doors weaker. A door that’s stuck or off its tracks is also a security risk, as it’s easier to open.
How to Improve Garage Door Security
The best step in securing your home’s garage is spotting any weak points and enhancing your garage door security features.
Reinforce Physical Access Points
The garage and garage door provide many access points to your home. Ensure all these are secure with the following:
- Emergency release cord cover: One of the best and safest ways to prevent access to the cord is to get an emergency release cord cover.
- Slide lock: Install a manual slide lock inside the door track for overnight and when you’re on vacation, adding an extra layer of security.
- Dead bolt: Using a dead bolt to secure the entry door from your garage to your home helps protect your house and everything in it.
- New hardware: Replace loose or rusted brackets, handles and hinges.
- Fix or replace a damaged door: If the garage door has significant damage, it may be best to replace it. A new door is also compatible with smart opener security technology.
Enhance Visibility and Deterrents
Once you’ve secured any physical access points, examine the area around your garage and how to make it unfavorable to criminals. Do some or all of the following:
- Get motion sensor lights: These switch on with a bright LED light when detecting movement. Place the lights around your garage door and near thick bushes.
- Install security cameras: Security cameras can deter criminals and provide video evidence should an incident occur. Place them strategically to discourage trespassing.
- Clear your belongings: If you can, try storing your valuables in another area of your home. If this isn’t an option, lock them in a safe or heavy cabinet inside your garage.
- Frost or cover windows: Cover any low windows to make it difficult to look inside. Also, try and avoid excessive landscaping or tall or thick plants around your garage door.
Secure Your Garage Door Opener and Remote
The opener allows easy access to your garage, making garage door opener security crucial. Ways to reinforce the opener include:
- Protect your garage door remote: An opener remote clipped to your car’s visor gives criminals easy access to the garage if they break into your vehicle. Instead, treat the remote as a key by always placing it in your purse or pocket.
- Invest in a smart opener: Update to a smart garage door opener. These have many security features, including rolling code technology, where the access code changes after each use. You’ll also have remote access to your garage door and get real-time notifications of any activity. Some models have live video monitoring.
The Critical Role of Professional Maintenance
Ongoing maintenance is key to a more secure garage door that functions smoothly. Regular checkups will identify any issues early and allow you to get them repaired before they become worse.
More reasons professional maintenance is crucial:
- Provides a trained eye: An expert technician has the skills and experience to spot problems that may compromise security, like an unbalanced door, frayed cables or damaged springs.
- Maintains proper function: Professional maintenance ensures that all the components, like the track’s mounting brackets, are tightened and secured, ensuring they work smoothly. A well-maintained door also closes properly, leaving no vulnerable gaps or slits.
- Boosts security and lifespan: Regular maintenance secures the door and boosts its longevity, protecting your investment.
Is It Time for a Repair or Replacement?
If you’re concerned about the security of your garage door, you may be wondering if you should get it repaired or replaced.
Signs You Need a Professional Repair
Some signs your garage door needs expert repair:
- Visible garage door damage: You notice significant rust or bent panels.
- Loud noise during operation: A noisy garage door often indicates that the tracks, springs, rollers or opener need repair.
- Trouble opening or closing: If your garage door struggles to open, it may need realignment.
When to Consider a New, Secure Garage Door
Here are some clues that it’s time for a new garage door:
- Age of the door: Most garage doors can last several decades, depending on maintenance. However, for updated security, a replacement can be sooner, as new garage doors are more compatible with modern openers.
- Thin door material: A garage door made of thinner material is prone to dents and impacts. Many modern doors are built with durable materials and have better insulation, making them more resistant to tampering or forced entry.
- No modern security features: If your garage door doesn’t have safety features like tamper-resistant brackets or safety beams, it may be best to get an upgrade.
Secure Your Northwest Arkansas Home Today
A secure garage door is an important line of defense for your home, and taking action to reinforce it is vital. Integrity Overhead Door has been caring for garage doors for years and is your local expert, providing professional installation, maintenance and comprehensive repair.
To book a security assessment or learn more about how your garage door can enhance your Arkansas home’s security, contact us online today.