Vehicle Detection Loop & Sensor Repair in Naples, FL

Q: How much does it cost to replace a loop detector?

Detector modules cost $150-$250. Cutting and sealing a new ground loop typically costs $600-$1,200 depending on driveway length.

Q: Can I patch a broken loop wire?

No. Loops must be continuous wire. Splices change resistance and fail quickly. A broken wire requires a full loop replacement.

Q: Why does my gate open when it rains?

This indicates water intrusion in the loop wire insulation (ground fault). The detector sees the wet ground as a car. The loop must be replaced.

Q: Will a loop detector see my golf cart?

Standard loops are set for cars. We can increase sensitivity or install specialized loops with more wire turns to detect golf carts reliably.

Q: Can you install a loop under pavers?

Yes, but we must lift the pavers to install a pre-formed loop. We do not saw-cut pavers as they shift and break the wire.

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Have you ever wondered how your gate “knows” when a car is waiting to leave? Or how it knows not to close when your truck is parked in the driveway? The answer lies beneath the pavement: Induction Loop Detectors.

These buried wire sensors are the unsung heroes of gate automation. But when they fail, they cause chaos—leaving gates stuck open, refusing to let guests out, or worst of all, closing on a vehicle. At Garage Door Naples, we are experts in diagnosing, sealing, and cutting new vehicle loops for both residential estates and commercial communities.

The "Invisible" System Keeping Your Car Safe

A loop detector works like a metal detector. It creates a magnetic field roughly 4 feet high. When a large metal object (your car) enters that field, it disrupts the frequency, sending a signal to the gate motor to either Open or Stop/Reverse. Because they are buried in the ground/asphalt, they are vulnerable to shifting soil, tree roots, and water intrusion.

Loops rarely die instantly; they usually give warning signs.

A swing gate rotates on hinges attached to pillars, opening inward toward the house (or rarely, outward toward the street).

The "Phantom" Opening (Ghosting)

Does your gate open randomly in the middle of the night? This is often caused by a “short to ground.” Moisture has entered the wire insulation, and the loop thinks the wet ground is a car.

The Gate Won't Close (Safety Hold)

If the gate opens but refuses to close, the safety loop might be stuck in the “detect” mode. The gate thinks a car is parked in the path and holds open to prevent an accident.

You Have to Drive Right Up to the Gate (Sensitivity)

If you have to practically hit the gate before it opens, the Sensitivity Dial on the detector module needs adjustment, or the loop wire is too deep/damaged.

Exit Loops vs. Safety Loops: What’s the Difference?

Most Naples driveways have two distinct loops:

The Exit Loop (Free Exit): Buried 50-100 feet inside the property. Driving over this triggers the gate to OPEN automatically so you can leave without a remote.

The Safety (Reverse) Loop: Buried directly under the swing path of the gate. If a car is on this loop, the gate CANNOT CLOSE. This is the anti-crush protection.

Installation Methods: Saw-Cut vs. Pre-Formed

Depending on your driveway surface, we use two different repair methods.

Saw-Cut (Retrofit for Existing Driveways):

If you have asphalt or poured concrete:

We use a diamond-blade concrete saw to cut a rectangular groove into the surface.

We lay the specialized XLPE loop wire into the groove.

We seal it with a hot-pour rubberized sealant or specialized Loop Sealant (Grey or Black) to match your driveway.

Pre-Formed (New Paver Driveways):

If you have brick pavers, it is best to lift the pavers and install a Pre-Formed Loop in the sand base underneath. This makes the sensor completely invisible. We can coordinate with your paver company or handle small sections ourselves.

Why Loops Fail in Naples (The Water Table Factor)

Naples has a high water table and frequent heavy rains.

Insulation Breakdown: Standard wire cannot be used. We use dedicated Loop Wire with heavy-duty insulation. If a single nick exposes the copper to wet soil, the loop shorts out.

Driveway Settling: As the ground shifts in the swampy Florida soil, the wire can stretch and snap. We diagnose this by using a “Meg-Ohm Meter” to test the integrity of the insulation.

Alternative: The "Exit Wand" (No Cutting Required)

Don’t want to cut up your beautiful driveway? We can install a Probe Sensor (Exit Wand).

How it works: A PVC wand is buried in the dirt alongside the driveway, not under it.

Pros: Cheaper and less invasive installation.

Cons: Less precise than a loop (can sometimes miss small cars or golf carts).

Hybrid Safety: Combining Loops & Photo-Eyes

For maximum safety (and UL 325 Compliance), you should never rely on just one system.

Loops detect metal (Cars).

Photo-Eyes detect everything (People, Pets, Aluminum/Carbon Fiber cars). We recommend a hybrid system. If your loop fails, the photo-eye is your backup. If the photo-eye is blocked by fog, the loop is your backup.

Tuning the Detector: Crosstalk & Frequency.

If you have two gates close together (like an Entry and Exit lane), the magnetic fields can interfere with each other, causing “Crosstalk.” Our technicians carry advanced Loop Detector Modules (such as Reno A&E or Diablo sensors) that allow us to adjust the frequency of each loop so they don’t interfere with one another.

Frequently Asked Questions About Loops

How much does it cost to replace a loop detector?

If it’s just the Detector Module (the box in the operator), it costs around $150-$250. If the Wire Loop in the ground is broken, cutting and sealing a new loop typically costs between $600 and $1,200 depending on the driveway length and surface.

Can I patch a broken loop wire?

No. Loop wire must be continuous with no splices in the ground. A splice changes the resistance and creates a weak point for water. If the wire is cut, the entire loop must be replaced.

Will a loop detector see my golf cart?

Standard loops are calibrated for the mass of a car. A golf cart has less metal. However, we can increase the Sensitivity setting on the detector module or install a loop with more “turns” of wire to effectively detect golf carts and motorcycles.

Can you install a loop under pavers?

Yes, but it requires lifting the pavers. Never try to saw-cut into brick pavers; the shifting bricks will shear the wire. For existing pavers, an “Exit Wand” buried next to the driveway is often the more cost-effective solution.

Why does my gate open when it rains?

This is a classic sign of a compromised loop. Water is seeping into a crack in the wire insulation, grounding the circuit. The detector interprets this change in resistance as a car. The loop must be replaced.