Leaving your garage door half open could be an invitation to intruders
Getting your garage door left open invites burglars who scope out your belongings, making your home an easy target for theft and break-ins.
Garage door repairs cost $150 to $375 on average, while leaving your door open strains mechanisms and can lead to damaged springs, rollers, or cables.
Your HVAC system works harder when the garage door stays open, reducing its lifespan and increasing the risk of premature replacement needs.
Hiring a local garage door company keeps your home secure by addressing spring damage and misalignment issues before they become dangerous safety hazards.
It’s a hot day, and what better way to vent your garage than to leave it open just a crack, right? Not so fast. While it may seem practical to leave your garage door slightly open, doing so can have major negative consequences that impact your home’s security, appearance, and safety. Let’s get into what happens if garages are left open and why you should keep them closed.
An open garage door is an open invitation for burglars to enter your home and take possessions that you keep in your garage. Some crafty burglars might even scope out your garage for days to plan the perfect theft and find vulnerable entry points beyond your garage. Closing your garage door is a simple way to prevent this type of crime from occurring.
Even if your garage door isn’t insulated, it’s better than nothing. Garage doors offer insulation from cold and hot temperatures, and while you may be tempted to crack open your garage door just a smidge to vent the area, the best method for venting your garage is to install vents.
If you’re into eco-friendly living, leaving your garage door open doesn’t just increase your energy bills. It also increases your carbon footprint. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air conditioning units release more than 100 million metric tons yearly and are major culprits for increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. By keeping it closed, you can do your part to lower your carbon footprint as much as possible.
Unsurprisingly, less insulation means your home’s internal temperatures could be higher or lower than if your garage door were closed. This leads to an excessive strain on your HVAC system as it works to maintain inside temperatures, decreasing its lifespan and leading to premature HVAC replacement costs ranging from $5,000 to $12,500 on average.
Don’t be fooled by a beautiful day—your garage door can malfunction from all kinds of weather. Sunlight that hits your garage door sensors just right can prevent them from operating, while rain, hail, snow, and wind can all cause damage to your garage door, garage door wiring, and the belongings inside your garage.
Again, leaving your garage door open can damage it or wear it down faster from weather exposure, but another issue that can arise is increased strain on your garage door mechanisms. A garage door that’s slightly ajar works harder to maintain its placement, which can cause it to become misaligned, damage the rollers, tracks, or cables, or break a spring—all of which can be dangerous hazards.
If your garage door needs replacing or repairs, you should contact a garage door company near you to handle the job. Garage door repairs cost anywhere between $150 and $375 on average, depending on the garage door parts that need repairing. For instance, garage door springs cost between $150 and $350 to replace, so if your garage door needs other repairs from being left open, you could end up spending more than the average.
Speaking of safety hazards, you, your loved ones, and your pets can all get injured by an open garage door. You may use the door as a shortcut inside, or children could play underneath the door, which could be dangerous if a spring or cables break and the door collapses. Garage doors are extremely heavy, weighing between 80 and 500 pounds, so it’s bad to leave a garage door half open when not in use due to potential injuries.
A visit from your neighborhood rodents, raccoons, possums, insects, and snakes can be a major surprise when you enter your garage after leaving it open. But these critters can all find comfort in a cozy room. Some pests can damage your property, cause a racket, spread diseases, or hurt you, making it important to click the garage door opener and keep it shut when not in use.
A garage full of storage boxes can make anyone walking by a little interested in what’s inside. It can also detract from your home’s curb appeal. While not everyone has intentions to steal your possessions, feeling like your home is constantly being watched can turn a safe home into an exhibition for curious eyes.
Lastly, one area that is easily overlooked is the impact leaving an open garage door can have on your home insurance policy. Insurance companies are always looking for ways to get around paying for property damage, and if they discover that the cause of your damage was due to leaving your garage door open, they may refuse to cover any losses that occurred. You’d then have to pay for any garage door repairs or stolen belongings.
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Huff Garage Rescue, LLCCompany came to look at my garage door that was off track. They also said I needed a brace on the other garage door. They put the door back on track, and I paid to install the brace. The technician told me I needed a new garage door opener, and it would cost $1000. Red flags went off in...
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Window Depot USA of Central OhioCalled ahead and worked quickly to install keyless locks on vintage wooden doors.
Expert Lock and Key, LLCScott did not get appropriate access to the property prior to the scheduled inspection which required us to come back later in the day to complete it. He also, unprofessionally, knocked on a neighbor?s door in his attempts to reach someone with access. His overall report was fine though the...
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KTM Construction, LLCDoor Depot was very responsive - they came out the day after my call to assess my needs, then returned at my convenience to complete the work. They arrived early, and the work was completed in a shorter period of time than estimated. Very pleased with the results. I would definitely use them...
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