You’re on your way home from a particularly frustrating day at work. You’re finally pulling into your driveway as you activate your garage door opener.
But your garage door doesn’t open.
What a perfect end to an already long day, huh?
Don’t fall victim to this nightmare situation. If you’re somewhat handy, you might be able to fix it on your own. In another case, it might be time to call a professional.
Let’s talk about when it’s time for a replacement and how to install a garage door opener.
How to Install a Garage Door Opener
If you decide you want to tackle installing a new garage door opener on your own, there are a few steps you should follow. Keep reading to become familiar with the replacement process.
1. Make Sure it’s a Faulty Opener
Before starting the replacement process, take the time to troubleshoot, check your door parts and other components to make sure they’re working correctly. The springs above the doors often need to be replaced frequently.
2. Test the Door Balance
If one of the doors’ torsion spring is out of balance, it can cause your opener to work harder and wear out more quickly. You don’t want to replace your opener and have to do it again in a few months because of poor door balance.
3. Assemble the Opener
Your new garage opener should come with everything you need to install it successfully.
Follow the instructions that came with your garage door opener to assemble it, then mount it to the header bracket above the door.
Tip: Use a ladder to hold the opener in position. You may have to place a few boards under the opener to get it into optimal position.
4. Replace Other Components
You might be tempted to leave the old photo eyes and wall button in place because they seem to be working fine.
Do yourself a favor and replace any old components used with your previous garage door opener. You don’t want to have to replace these piece by piece. Plus, the new opener is designed to work seamlessly with the new, included components.
5. Check the Opening Force
The instructions that come with your new garage door opener won’t tell you to do so, but check the opening force of the door next.
You can do this by resting your foot on the door while opening it with the remote control. Any pressure from your foot should stop the door from lifting. If this isn’t the case, you need to adjust the opening force.
Make minor adjustments and then re-adjust until the opening and closing force is correct.
From here, you can test your opener and refer to the manufacturer’s instructions if you have any issues with installation.
Call a Professional
Don’t want to fool with replacing your garage door opener by yourself?
The average homeowner does not know how to install a garage door opener, so don’t get discouraged. Let a professional help.
Our team carries everything we need to diagnose, repair, reprogram, or replace your garage door opener. In some cases, we can have your garage door opener up and running again on the same day!
Contact us today for a free estimate.