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11-01-2009, 08:46 PM
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851 posts, read 3,523,395 times
Reputation: 453
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This is really a stupid question. Do I still need to lock garage door that has a auto-opener? I know the answer is no because it would not open otherwise; however, does the opener also serve as a locking mechanism?
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11-01-2009, 08:59 PM
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Location: Valley City, ND
625 posts, read 1,813,245 times
Reputation: 549
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Maybe it has changed/improved in the past few years, but my sister could drive up & down the streets and her door opener would open many others, too.
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11-01-2009, 11:49 PM
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Location: Ocean County, NJ
228 posts, read 1,158,369 times
Reputation: 111
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No. The garage door opener is a much better lock than what is installed on the door. You're actually supposed to disable the factory lock mechanism so it cannot be used.
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11-01-2009, 11:54 PM
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2,289 posts, read 8,102,161 times
Reputation: 878
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Depends on if your opener is a newer one with digital rolling code or just fixed DIP switch security. Also, if someone breaks inside, if you use a physical lock they may not be able to break the lock (or have time to break it).
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11-02-2009, 12:42 AM
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Location: Ohio
2,175 posts, read 8,876,794 times
Reputation: 3960
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The garage door can't open as long as the chain drive or screw drive is holding it in the closed position.
However one night about 11:30 pm my neighbor came over and told me my garage door was standing wide open. I had run my motorcycle in about 8:00 pm and was sure I closed the door. At least I thought I did.
Now, just to be sure, I turn off the the breaker to the garage door opener when the door is down so the opener can't possibly open the door from some freak electronic signal when I'm away from the garage. Maybe I accidently bumped the remote button or something. I don't know. I can't see the door from the house so I feel better knowing the opener is turned off.
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11-02-2009, 08:46 AM
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Location: West Michigan
12,083 posts, read 37,487,916 times
Reputation: 16989
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No do not use the mechanical lock when you have an opener installed. If you have doubts turn the power off to the opener, but it is just asking for a damaged door to use the slide lock with an opener. I have installed thousands of door openers and you will destroy a door panel or two and not get the opener to budge an inch with one that is installed correctly. The majority of openers have used rolling codes for 10 or 12 years at least now. Odds of finding an old DIP switch coded opener still working is getting slimmer and slimmer.
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11-02-2009, 08:55 AM
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Location: Niceville, FL
12,330 posts, read 20,729,530 times
Reputation: 15196
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The only time I've heard of issues in the rolling code era is when the local Air Force Base occasionally runs communications tests on the same frequencies:
USAF in secret garage door jamming trials • The Register |
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11-02-2009, 09:38 AM
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851 posts, read 3,523,395 times
Reputation: 453
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I also installed a door closer. If my door is left open for a pre-set time (5 min in my case), it will automatically close the door.
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11-02-2009, 11:15 AM
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Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
8,307 posts, read 37,706,406 times
Reputation: 7175
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheStupid
This is really a stupid question. Do I still need to lock garage door that has a auto-opener? I know the answer is no because it would not open otherwise; however, does the opener also serve as a locking mechanism?
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If you have a garage door with windows, it isn't much trouble to smash a pane and pull the chord that disengages the trolley. I would still lock it if you are leaving town or especially concerned about the contents for some reason. |
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11-02-2009, 11:34 AM
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Location: Seattle area
857 posts, read 4,018,846 times
Reputation: 527
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I think garage doors are sort of an inherent security risk. Seems that if you want to get it to open, you can, if you know how to use the tech. Once you have the garage door open, you go in, then shut the garage door and take all the time you like to break down the door from the garage to the house. You probably even have plenty of tools handy to do it with.
But they're such a convenience, and the risk of a random person wanting into your random garage are pretty low, that it's worth it!
If I had anything super-crazy in my house that someone might really want, I might not use garage doors opened by radio frequency. If I was really concerned about my security, I wouldn't use them. I'd go for something like a retina-scan station as I pulled into the driveway. Yes, I waste time thinking about this stuff, despite living in a typical suburban neighborhood with absolutely nothing unusual inside!!!  |
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