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How can I lock my garage door? I need an inventive idea!

9 years ago

My garage door opener broke and I don't need to replace it because I'm just using the garage for storage. Now, there is no way to lock the door. (door lock is broken) Does anyone have any ideas on how I can lock it? I cannot put a lock and hasp on the door. There is no side entry door either. The ground beneath the door is gravel. I was thinking about driving some kind of metal stake into the ground and rigging up a chain to the door and padlocking it. I need ideas! Comments?

Comments (12)

tibbrix
9 years ago
Stick something in at the top, so it can't be raised.
dkenny
9 years ago
a c camp in the track at the top?
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robar
Original Author
9 years ago
I can't access (inside) the garage when the door is closed.....it's detached from my house. A lightening strike ruined the opener.
tibbrix
9 years ago
Here you go. Get this combo, this sticker, and see link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/191198333138?lpid=82

Here is a link that might be useful: Dummy alarm light
tibbrix
9 years ago
And for good measure, attach one of these
graywings123
9 years ago
Can you replace the existing garage door lock?

Here is a link that might be useful: Garage door locks
grubby_AZ Tucson Z9
9 years ago
The OP says he's got a vault. That means entry only through the overhead door. That rules out sticking a screwdriver through the track and such. If I read it right and it is vault access, the only way to lock it is by standing outside the door. There is a good trick with using the old dead door opener to keep it locked, but it's a PITA to unlock over and over. It also involves a wire coat hanger, and they be scarce puppies these days.

One really kludgy thing I have contemplated in the past is using a cane bolt, the type that pushes down into a hole drilled into the floor and is usually found on the dead side of double doors or gate, and run it horizontally / sideways into the outer door jamb. The cane bolt gives more travel into the hole than a sliding door bolt would. Use carriage bolts and get one that will accept a padlock.

OR (this one is fun):

Run a snug fit 2X4 vertically from the ground to the top of the opening. Put a hasp plate or padlock ring on the door panel and one on the 2X4 so when the door is closed they line up enough for a padlock. Do that at the top door panel and the bottom door panel. The door will not open for two separate reasons. One, the top panel will not be allowed to bend back and two, the 2X4 will be forced to rise and the whole shebang will immediately be stopped as it hits the head of the opening. Perhaps a beheaded bolt could be driven into the top of the 2X4 and the assembly then inserted into a matching hole overhead to further locate the parts in a secure manner.

Clear as mud? This has been done before.
User
9 years ago
How about actually fixing the lock? Beats all of these kludges doesn't it?
snoonyb
9 years ago
I wonder, is it a matter of can't fix the existing locking devices, or won't?
robar
Original Author
9 years ago
The garage door lock is broken. I was trying to go the cheapest and easiest route to find a fix.
rwiegand
9 years ago
How can you not put a hasp and padlock on it? I can't imagine any door configuration that would prevent this. You might need to bend the hasp some, but I don't think I've ever seen a door that was impossible to put a padlock on.

That said, just fix the broken lock.
woodbutcher_ca
9 years ago
Hi, They make sliding bolt locks for garage doors.The bolt mounts on the door the bolt slides into the jamb and system for a padlock is built in. I searched Home Depot and put in gate latch and found something similar. Ones for garages are much stronger.
Woodbutcher

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