How To Install a Garage Door Opener

Installing a garage door is a simple task that can be completed easily, when the proper steps are followed and the proper safety techniques and maintenance is performed.  It can be a unique task, but can be easily done when using the correct install guide.

The first thing to do is to begin work on the track and motor installation.  The most important is the drive unit.  This is how the garage door raises and lowers.  It is either a chain or drive screw that pulls a carriage along a track.  This carriage is connected to a tall vertical bracket that allows the motor, when engaged, to slowly raise and lower the garage door.  To assemble the track is easy, as it comes in segments and is easily assembled simply by connecting sized pieces that match into one another.  All of them lead up to the drive unit.  The carriage that slips into the tracks, once assembled, will move up and down when the motor drive unit receives power.

Since the garage door is so massive and oftentimes a very heavy moving unit, it is very important to properly follow safety procedures during installation.  Also, take the extra time to do these safety checks on all the moving parts to make sure it is operating properly.  This is proper safety and maintenance.  All the main moving parts on an operational garage door should be viewed and evaluated, beginning with the wheels that allow the door to rise smoothly and quietly.  If possible, replace metal wheels with those that are of a lighter material, perhaps teflon. This will allow for a lighter door.  The Teflon wheels are just as rugged and durable.

Proper door movement is important. The door is pushed up and down, and stopped when it reaches a mounting bracket that is attached to the ceiling near the middle of the garage "room". The mounting bracket holds the drive unit and the track in place securely.  The hinges in the door should be oiled and/or lubricated. All along the bending and moving segments of the garage door.  This ensures smooth and even movement in opening and closing. It is very important to tighten all the nuts, bolts and screws all along the garage door surface.

The garage door motor itself is a very heavy piece of equipment and is the solid portion of the entire garage door assembly.  It should be securely positioned and attached to the ceiling with a bolt assembly.  There is some electrical wiring that has to run to a wall switch and another wire attachment into a base plate.  Next a safety beam that reverses the movement of the garage door unit has to be installed, often it is guided by an infrared sensor.  These are attached at either side of the door and are attached to the motor.  The last connections are connected from the garage door to the garage door opener.  It is recommended that the installer put a heavy duty reinforcement bracket on the garage door opener, especially with the use of a metal door.  This is the only item that is not included with a basic installation kit, but nevertheless is very important to include.