How To Keep Thieves Out Of Your Garage

Allison H. • April 11, 2023

How To Keep Thieves Out Of Your Garage

How To Keep Thieves Out Of Your Garage

It makes sense to secure your home. Most people automatically lock their doors and windows at night. But far too frequently, when thinking about how to defend our home, the garage is disregarded. Unfortunately, burglars are aware of this as well, and they can attempt to enter your home using the open garage as a cover. Let's go through some useful advice for keeping your garage and house safe from thieves.


Don’t let burglars see what’s in your garage:

The garage might be a terrific place to store stuff you'd prefer not to keep inside your home, but doing so puts you at risk of being targeted by burglars seeking for a quick grab. The first thing you can do is remove anything from your garage that can give robbers the impression that your home is more desirable. Those golf clubs can they be put in the attic? Can you lock up those power tools in a shed? When thinking about garage security, start by asking yourself these queries.


You might be thinking, "There is absolutely no way I can put my life-sized Shaquille O'Neal mannequin anywhere else besides the garage," even though this is a great place to start. Take heart! We have your back.


The garage door must be kept as much of the time closed as feasible in the next phase. We would only make care to close the door after each use in an ideal world. Life does, however, happen! The Liftmaster 87504 and other garage door operators (also known as openers) have features like "auto-close" that guarantee your garage door will always return to the closed position after use.


Congratulations! Most of the time, your door is closed. There might be one more issue left. Fortunately, it can be quickly fixed. Does your garage door have windows? Even with the door locked, this can be a simple way for criminals to check out your garage. To prevent this, just buy some window frosting or film, trim it to size (if necessary), and adhere it to your windows.


Now that we understand the foundations of garage security, let's move on to some further advice to protect your family, house, and garage.


Make sure the burglar can’t be sneaky:

Burglars adore darkness and solitude, much like a stressed-out parent. We won't permit that, much like the insistent 3-year-old who keeps knocking on the door.

Adding sufficient illumination to the front of your garage is one of the simplest things we can do.

-If your garage doesn't already have illumination, think about installing at least one on either side of the exterior door.

-If there are lighting fixtures in front of your garage, you might want to think about switching out your old light bulbs for newer, brighter LED ones.

We'll make sure the thief is never alone in or close to your garage now that we've cleared the outside of the garage of darkness. Using security cameras is the simplest way to do this. Operators with built-in cameras, like the Liftmaster 87504, eliminate the need to purchase an entirely new security system.

Make Sure Your Garage Is Sealed: A good seal can accomplish more than just releasing the popular song "Kiss from a Rose," which appeared in the Hollywood blockbuster Batman Forever in 1995. It can also ensure that thieves are unable to enter your garage using tools like fingers, hangers, and hooks.

We're primarily examining the seals at the bottom and sides of the garage door.

Trim on the sides establishes a seal between your garage wall and the actual garage door. Check for tearing, fraying, or gaps in the trim in this region.

-The bottom rubber on the garage door's base forms the seal between the ground and the door. Make sure the bottom rubber extends all the way to the ground first. You might need to change the operator's limitations if your door stops before it reaches the floor. Also look for fraying, tearing, or gaps in the rubber in this area.


Give us a call and we'll help you out if you discover any problems with your seal or bottom rubber or if you need assistance changing your operator's restrictions!


Make the garage harder to get into:

Sometimes, merely closing the door won’t get the job done. For example, non-insulated doors are much easier to bend and break than a triple insulated steel-back door. While this may be great information if you’re already considering buying a brand new garage door, it may not be practical to replace your entire door. 

For those looking to solidify their door without entirely replacing their door, struts can be a great solution. Struts are metal bars that run across your garage door, providing extra structural support to prevent bending and breaking.

Thieves may look to trigger your emergency release lever by sliding hangers or hooks between the panels of your garage. Hardware like the Garage Door Shield prevents this by blocking your emergency release in a shield like structure, indicated by the name.


Lock It Down:

Just about all of us lock our front and back doors, as well as our windows. The garage, however, is often overlooked when considering what to lock up to keep your home safe. The simplest solution is to lock the door from your garage to your home. It’s easiest to do this right before bed, or even as you’re walking in the door when you’ve returned home. While this is a great solution to prevent thieves from entering your home, there’s also a few types of garage door locks that will keep unwanted visitors out of your garage:

 

  • T-Lock: This lock has cords in the middle of your garage, attaching to locks on the side of your door. The key access on the outside lets your manually access your lock from the outside.
  • Vault Lock: Usually for detached and manual garages, this lock has a key access on the outside, with a cord running to your emergency release.
  • Auto-Lock: Typically connected to a jack shaft, this lock will automatically secure your garage once it’s closed.
  • Slide Lock: Sitting on the side of your garage door, this lock can slide into your track manually, to keep your door closed. Careful though! This lock can only be accessed from within your garage.

 

Your garage will be more impenetrable than the 1985 Chicago Bears defense if you adhere to these suggestions. Of course, you can contact Fix N Go if you need any help or have any queries!


You might also like

Fix N Go Blog

How to Replace a Garage Door Motor?
By Rabia Tingat July 24, 2025
If your garage door opener motor has become noisy, sluggish, or completely non-functional, it may be time to replace it. A faulty motor can make daily garage use frustrating and even unsafe. Fortunately, replacing a garage door motor isn't as complicated as it may seem—especially if you're comfortable with basic DIY tasks. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to replace a garage door motor safely and effectively. Whether you’re dealing with a burnt-out motor or simply upgrading to a newer model, we’ll help you understand the entire process—from removal to reinstallation. Signs Your Garage Door Motor Needs Replacing Before we jump into the replacement process, let’s look at a few signs that indicate your garage door motor is failing: The opener struggles to lift or lower the door Unusual grinding or humming noises from the motor Frequent power failures or overheating The door only opens partially or not at all The remote and wall switch stop responding If your opener exhibits any of these issues even after resetting or troubleshooting, replacing the motor is likely the best long-term solution. Choosing the Right Garage Door Motor Replacement Garage door motors (often called garage door openers) come in several types—chain drive, belt drive, screw drive, and direct drive. When choosing a replacement, make sure it’s compatible with: Your garage door's weight and size Available power source (AC or DC motor) Existing hardware and mounting setup Brands like Chamberlain, Genie, and LiftMaster offer reliable units that include all necessary mounting brackets, sensors, and manuals for a smoother installation. Tools You’ll Need Before replacing your garage door motor, gather these essential tools: Ladder Socket set Screwdrivers Adjustable wrench Wire cutters and strippers Power drill Safety glasses and gloves Once you're equipped, turn off the power supply to the opener to avoid electrical hazards. Step-by-Step Guide to Replacing a Garage Door Motor Step 1: Disconnect Power and Unplug the Motor Safety first—disconnect the opener from the power outlet. If it's hardwired into your home’s electrical system, turn off the circuit breaker. Confirm there's no electricity flowing to the unit using a voltage tester. Step 2: Disengage the Door from the Opener Pull the emergency release cord (usually a red handle) to disengage the garage door from the opener. This lets you open and close the door manually during the motor replacement process. Step 3: Remove the Old Garage Door Motor Start by detaching the wires connected to the safety sensors and wall switch. Take photos or label wires for reference during reinstallation. Next, use a socket wrench or screwdriver to unscrew the motor unit from its mounting bracket on the ceiling. Be cautious—these units are heavy and often require a second person to safely lower them. Once the motor is removed, also uninstall the rail and trolley if your new opener comes with its own. Step 4: Install the New Motor and Mounting Rail Assemble the new motor unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This often includes connecting the rail, carriage, and pulley system. Mount the new rail above your garage door and secure the motor to the ceiling using provided brackets. Make sure everything is level and firmly attached. A misaligned rail can lead to jerky movements or early wear on the new motor. Step 5: Wire the Motor and Accessories Reconnect the wall switch and safety sensor wires to the terminals on the new motor unit. Most openers have labeled terminals—typically for red, white, and black wires. If your model includes a backup battery, antenna, or Wi-Fi connection, set these up now. Follow your motor’s wiring diagram precisely to avoid connectivity issues. Step 6: Reconnect the Door and Adjust Settings Pull the emergency cord back into the “engaged” position to reattach the door to the trolley. Now, plug the motor into the power outlet or restore power at the breaker. Turn on the unit and test the door’s operation. Adjust the travel limits and force settings as needed. These settings ensure the door opens and closes completely without excessive strain. Refer to your manual for step-by-step adjustment instructions—usually involving small dials or digital buttons on the unit. Testing Your New Garage Door Motor Once installed, test the full functionality of the opener: Use both the wall switch and remote control Check safety sensors by blocking the beam—door should reverse Confirm smooth and quiet operation Listen for any abnormal noises or vibrations If the door doesn’t operate properly, recheck the alignment of the rail, the wiring connections, or the motor’s mounting hardware. Professional Help vs. DIY While replacing a garage door motor is a doable task for experienced DIYers, you may want to call a professional if:  Your opener is hardwired (no plug-in cord) The ceiling mount is in a tight or high area The garage door is unusually heavy or custom-built You’re unsure about wiring and adjustments Professional installers can typically complete the job within 1–2 hours, and many offer warranties on both labor and parts. Final Thoughts Replacing a garage door motor may seem like a big task, but with the right preparation and safety steps, it's well within reach for the average homeowner. Whether you're upgrading to a quieter, smarter opener or fixing a worn-out unit, understanding the wiring, mounting, and setup process will ensure a successful installation. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, double-check your wiring, and test your new unit thoroughly. When done correctly, a new garage door motor will provide smooth, reliable performance for years to come.
How Does Genie Garage Door Motor Wire In?
By Rabia Tingat July 22, 2025
Find out how to wire a Genie garage door motor with expert tips. Improve motor performance and ensure secure, safe installation with this guide.
How to Replace a Garage Door Cable?
By Rabia Tingat July 20, 2025
Learn how to replace a garage door cable step-by-step. This guide covers tools, safety tips, and expert advice for a smooth and safe cable replacement.