A garage door opener is nothing but a motorized device that performs the function of closing and opening of a garage door. These doors are mainly controlled with the help of switches on garage walls or, at times, by a remote control that is handled by the user.
On an average, a garage door is known to open and close for roughly about 1500 times in a year. Also, they are known to last for up to 10-12 years at most, after which they do break down. It is at this time that the question of reinstalling a garage door comes into the equation. So, here are a few steps that can help you install a garage door opener in a hassle-free manner.
Ensure that that all parts of the door are working
If your garage door happens to be making too much noise and is opening slowly, it might not be problem with the opener. It is good to check for broken/wobbly rollers and brackets. Also, do not attempt to replace the lower bottom bracket by yourself as it under a lot of tension. It is best to call a professional to take a look into such things.
You can change the steel rollers with nylon rollers, as they make less noise. You must also check the torsion spring, on the header above the door opening. There will be a gap in the coils if it happens to be broken.
Check the door balance
It is important to ensure that the door is balanced. To do so, close the door and then you can pull the emergency release cord. The door must be lifted to about halfway and then let go. The door shouldn’t move, but if it slides up or down, the torsion springs likely need an adjustment or even a replacement. Again, a torsion spring should only be replaced by a technician.
Get the right opener
A 1/3HP or 1/2HP opener should be used for a single garage door. 1/2HP is good if there is a double door and 3/4HP in the case of wood of faux wood. Openers have a set opening speed and are available in chain, belt or screw drive.
Chain drives happen to be the least expensive but also make the most amount of noise. Screw drives are priced mid-range and require very less maintenance. However, they are not as quiet as belt drives. Belt drives are quietest but also the most expensive of the lot.
The opener must be set on the ladder for easy installation
Assemble the opener by following the manufacturer’s instructions and then mount the rail to the header bracket. Now, you must set the opener on a ladder for installation. The ladder is used to keep the opener in position as you are making angle iron measurements. You may also use boards under the opener, in order to raise it.
Use a heavy-duty angle iron to hand the opener
Garage door openers come with pretty much everything that is required for installation. However, the mounting straps that are provided in most cases are very flimsy. Thus, you will need to purchase a slotted angle iron and then adjust the size by means of a hacksaw.
Angle iron reduces the vibration, thus prolonging the life of an opener. You can attach the angle iron to the face of a joist making use of 1inch lag screws, if your garage is unfinished. In case of a finished garage, attaché the angle iron along the bottom of a joist and use 3inch lag screws. Then use another two lengths of angle irons, nuts and bolts to hang the opener. You may use thread-locking adhesive and lock washers to prevent the nuts from loosening.
Replace the components
Do not make use of the old photoelectric eyes and opener button. Use the new ones as they are meant to work with the new opener. Wires that run from the opener to the photo eyes may also be exposed. So, replace them as well, since it is likely they have worn. Also, new garage door openers can be very sensitive and might not even work with an old wire.
Check the opening of the door
This is a step that is often ignored. To check the force, you must place your foot on the door handle and then use the remote to open the door. The door must stop if there’s a little bit of pressure, as it is a safety feature. If it does not, then adjust the opening force.
Tune the opening and closing force
Proper closing force means that if the door encounters something, it won’t crush the object. When the door makes contact with the wood (place it at the bottom under the center of the door), it should reverse. If the door happens to open and stop on its own, more opening force is required. Similarly, if it happens to close on its own then you will need to increase the closing force.
Use tough bulbs
Make use of tough bulbs that are specifically meant for garage door openers. Since garage door openers vibrate, it is necessary to have bulbs that can handle vibration.
Installation of a new garage door opener is certainly not a very simple task. However, it can be easy if one goes through the given steps very carefully and follows them. Also, if you are not very confident of carrying out the mentioned steps, it is always good to consult a technician or professional.