The purpose of garage doors, above all else, is to work effortlessly while considering safety. When a door fails to open or close properly, the temptation to force it can be great — especially when you’re in a hurry. To do so, you must either pull the release cord on your garage door or use a spring to allow entry on foot.

Here at Omega Garage Doors, we regularly witness the unnecessary damage and wear caused by manhandling garage doors. Here, we explain why it occurs, which parts of the door are most vulnerable, and how to prevent your door — and wallet! 

Why Homeowners Force Garage Doors

These are large mechanisms composed of springs, cables, rollers, tracks, and an opener that all have to work together. If something doesn’t work on the lock, some common causes of you having to force open the door are:

The door is stuck or out of line

The opener doesn’t work, or it stops during use

Power outages or opener malfunctions

Broken or worn-out springs

Track obstructions or misalignment

But forcing the door, whether by hand or with the opener in operation, puts intense stress on parts that were never intended to endure it.

Common Damage Caused by Forcing an Overhead Door

Broken Spring

Garage door springs are tightly wound and lift the weight of the door. When a spring is worn or broken, what will happen if you try to force the door open?

• Complete spring failure
• Dangerous snap-back injuries
• Costly emergency repairs

With other parts breaking during a spring replacement, it can end up costing much more.

Burned-Out Garage Door Opener

Your opener is not intended to bail you out if you have foul body language. Forcing the door can:

• Overheat the motor
• Strip internal gears
• Shorten the opener’s lifespan

What could have been an easy fix can become a new opener before you know it.

Bent Tracks and Rollers

If a door is being pushed or pulled against pressure:

• Tracks can bend or warp
• Rollers can pop out or crack
• The door could run completely off track

 

Repaving or replacing tracks becomes much more costly when structural damage occurs.

Snapped Cables

Cables ensure a balanced right and left lift and lower. Jamming a door open can result in:

• Frayed or broken cables
• Uneven door movement
• Risk of the Door Slamming Shut

A broken cable is catastrophic and should be repaired only by an experienced technician.

Panel and Door Section Damage

If you have to push or pull on a misaligned door, it can:

• Cracked or dented door panels
• Separate door sections
• Compromise the door’s structural integrity

Replacing the panel is usually more expensive than fixing the initial problem sooner rather than later.

Safety Threats You Should Not Overlook

 
In addition to repair costs, trying to push or lift an overhead door can be very risky. A door can plummet unexpectedly, springs can snap, and cables can whip under tension. These are dangerous situations for people, vehicles, and property.

What You Should Do Instead

When your garage door does not open easily:

Stop using it immediately

Check for obvious obstructions

Don’t try to force or use the opener manually

Hire a pro garage door technician

At Omega Garage Doors, we pride ourselves on addressing minor problems before they become major, expensive repairs. Fast service not only saves money but also keeps your garage door safe and operational.

Preserve Your Property with Omega Garage Doors

 
Your overhead door is the most significant piece of moving equipment in your home or business. Caring for it — and consulting experts when something doesn’t feel right — can prolong its life, saving you aggravation and expense.

If your garage door isn’t working as it should, whether it is stuck, noisy, or won’t open and close as evenly, contact Omega Garage Doors for quick, reliable service at an outstanding value.

Having someone break into your garage can be harrowing and disconcerting. Apart from losing valuable belongings, it can make homeowners anxious about how secure their home is. Understanding what to do following a garage break-in can allow you to secure your property, deter further issues and reclaim peace of mind. Omega Garage Doors has some expert advice about how to respond.

Keep Calm and Evaluate the Situation Safely

Please wait until you know it’s safe to go back inside your property before doing so. If you have any reason to believe the intruder is still in the building or outside nearby waiting for their next opportunity, get out and call 911. Your safety is the most important thing—do not confront anyone or touch anything that may serve as evidence.

Contact the Authorities

Contact your local police department and let them know you were broken into. As many details as you can — When did you first discover the break-in? What seems to be missing or damaged? Do you have any security footage? You need a police report for the insurance and reference.

Document the Damage

Go outside and snap clear photos or take a video of all visible damage to your garage door, locks, windows and any stolen items. This information will help in your insurance claim process and provide evidence for the police.

Notify Your Insurance Company

Next, contact your home insurance company to submit a claim. They’ll probably request a police report number, photographs and a list of stolen or damaged items. The earlier you begin this process, the quicker you can recover losses.

Secure Your Garage Immediately

A busted garage door or shattered lock on your house can leave the property vulnerable to even more risk—set up a 24-hour garage door repair or security service, such as extra locks or barriers. Omega Garage Doors provides same-day repair to help homeowners make their homes safe and functional after a break-in.

Inspect Your Garage Door System

Criminals frequently pounce on vulnerabilities like rusty locks, antiquated openers or feeble panels. Have an expert check your entire garage door system — including the opener, springs, sensors and tracks — for signs of tampering or damage. A full service check to make sure everything is running safely and efficiently.

Upgrade Your Garage Security

The perfect time to make your garage more secure is after a burglary.

• Install smart locks or a keypad entry system for improved access control.
• Install a new garage door opener with rolling code technology.
• Install motion-sensor lights around the garage area.
• Think of a security camera or alarm system linked to your cell phone.

Such enhancements are powerful guards for further burglaries.

Review Overall Home Security

Since the majority of burglars enter via the garage, use this opportunity to secure your entire home better. Reinforce joining doors with deadbolts, solid cores and smart locks. Ensure that all outside doors and windows are closed securely, especially at night.

Learn from the Experience

As unfortunate as a break-in is, it also serves as a reminder of how crucial prevention is. Take care of what you have – perform routine maintenance checks on your garage (including locks and lubrication) and always keep valuable tools behind a locked door.

Trust Professionals for Lasting Security

They can repair the damage in your garage door, or you may want to have a more secure overhead door installed. With solid steel and insulated doors, to chain or wireless openers, and other accessories that provide peace-of-mind security, the members of our team ensure your garage stays safe for years!

Final Thoughts

Having your garage broken into can be jarring, but with some practical lessons and professional assistance, you can take back control and reinforce the security of your home. As always, react promptly, document diligently and invest in long-term preventative measures.

Protect Your Home. Secure Your Garage.

Contact Omega Garage Doors now for all your emergency repairs, inspections and security upgrade needs.

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