Weird Garage Door Calls We’ve Actually Handled (And What You Can Learn from Them)
At Action Garage Door Services, we’ve seen just about everything when it comes to garage doors. From the expected broken springs to the completely bizarre, no two days are ever the same. Some calls leave us scratching our heads, others laughing, but they all have one thing in common—they needed fast, reliable help. Here are a few of our most memorable (and slightly weird) garage door service calls, with tips to help you avoid a similar situation at home.
1. The Curious Case of the Raccoon Garage Lock-In
A Jacksonville homeowner called in for what they thought was a jammed garage door. Turns out, a raccoon made its way inside and knocked the safety sensors out of alignment. Every time they tried to close the door, it popped right back up.
To our surprise the furry culprit was still in the garage. We safely removed the scared little guy and reset the system, but not before the raccoon left some, uh, “gifts” behind.
Avoid It Tip: Seal up any gaps, check weatherstripping, and make sure trash or pet food isn’t drawing in unwanted guests. Also, test your garage door sensors regularly, they’re your first line of defense for both pets and pests.
2. Toddler vs. Garage Door Opener: The Forgotten Remote Fiasco
We got a call from a Jacksonville family confused (and a little freaked out) about their garage door randomly opening and closing, sometimes more than once a day. They thought it was a glitch, or maybe someone nearby was on the same frequency.
After inspecting everything, we found the unexpected culprit. Their toddler had gotten hold of an old garage door remote buried in a drawer. The remote still worked, and the little one had been happily pressing (or chewing) the buttons like it was a toy. Every push sent the door into motion.
To fix it, we cleared all existing remotes from the system and reprogrammed only the remotes and keypads the homeowners actually used.
Avoid It Tip: Keep old remotes out of reach and out of circulation. If you’re not sure how many remotes are still active, it’s a good idea to reset your system and start fresh. It’s a quick way to regain control and avoid unexpected surprises.
Want more control and peace of mind? Upgrade to a new smart garage door opener that lets you monitor and manage your door from your phone. Get alerts, set schedules, and instantly disable lost or forgotten remotes. Call us today to learn about the latest smart opener options.
3. The Off-Track Workout Gone Wrong
A client had been using resistance bands in their garage gym, they had anchored to the bottom track of the garage door. During a particularly intense session, the track was jerked loose unexpectedly, causing the door to come off track and leaving it stuck halfway open.
We were able to provide a quick garage door off track fix, but it was definitely a lesson learned.
Avoid It Tip: Never attach anything to the garage door tracks. They’re designed for smooth travel, not resistance training.
When to Call in the Pros
These weird garage door calls may seem funny after the fact, but they all required emergency garage door repair to restore safety and function. If your door is acting strangely, stuck halfway, or moving unpredictably, it’s time to call a pro. Fast.
At Action Garage Door Services of Florida, we offer same day garage door repair throughout Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Whether you’ve got a stubborn sensor or a surprise animal guest, we’ll get things back on track, literally.
Final Word: Weird Happens. Be Ready.
Garage doors are one of the most used entry points in your home, and sometimes they get caught in some strange situations. But no matter how unusual the issue is, we’ve probably seen and fixed it.
Need help now? Call us for reliable, friendly, and local emergency garage door repair. We’re ready when weird things happen.