A garage door is a large, moving object that uses springs under extreme tension. It is extremely dangerous to work on a new garage door yourself unless you know what you’re doing.
Make sure your children and pets are away from the installation area during the entire process. This is important to keep them safe from harm until the professionals finish up.
Preparation
If you’re able to afford it, a new garage door can give your home a whole new look. It will also increase the value of your property. Before you can install a new garage door, though, there are several things you need to do to prepare. These steps will help ensure your installation goes smoothly and quickly.
Before the installers arrive, you’ll want to clear the work area. The garage and the area around where your car usually parks should be free of bicycles, tricycles, tools, garden hoses and anything else that could interfere with the installation. Your installers will need unimpeded access to hang the new door and install the opener and other components.
Residential garage doors are usually sectional, with three to eight panels that slide up and down along a rail or track (also called a “track”). The first step is to locate the bottom panel and place it downward on cardboard or blankets to prevent scratching the floor while you’re working. Locate the metal brackets that are attached to this panel near the rubber weatherstripping on both sides. Screw the brackets to the door, then attach the track to the doorway frame using the provided screws.
Install the motor, following the instructions that come with it. Some motors are universal and will fit many brands of doors; others are specific to a particular type or brand. Then, connect the electrical wires to their respective terminals on the motor. Be sure to follow the wiring diagram carefully, as you don’t want anyone in your house to get electrocuted.
If you have a push button control, mount it 5’ from the ground so that small children cannot reach it. Also, install the electric eye safety system that comes with your garage door opener. This will help prevent injuries if someone is underneath the door when it closes.
If you’re installing a new automatic door, it will be best to call your local utility company ahead of time. If you live in a community with an HOA, make sure they’re aware of your project. This will avoid any potential disputes and prevent your neighbors from calling the police to report an infraction.
Installation
When the time comes to replace a garage door, you will find that this is an extremely complex process that requires precision and attention to detail. When you call Whitaker Garage Doors for your new garage door installation, the professionals will first visit your home to complete a site inspection. This allows them to confirm the size of your garage door and check for any obstructions that could interfere with mounting the track and motor.
When they arrive for the actual installation, it is important to prepare the work area by clearing the space and removing any cars that are normally parked in the garage. The installation team will need unimpeded access to the areas that they will be working in. They will need to remove the old door, install the new motor and more. You can save yourself a lot of headache by doing the following things before the installation team arrives:
Start by removing any existing hinges that connect your current garage door to its tracks. You may want to use a pry bar to loosen the hinges, but be careful not to damage your garage door. Once the hinges are removed, you should be able to lift the door off its tracks and set it aside.
Each horizontal garage track has a 90-degree metal curve at one end. You will need to attach an angle bracket to the back of each track hanger, near the curve. Place the brackets at a distance equal to the highest point of your garage door when it is in its open position.
You will also need to assemble the torsion rod and install it. The rod will need to be inserted into each spring, then the spring locking cone and the two spring anchors will need to be attached. The springs are under extreme tension, so it is crucial that you don’t try to assemble or loosen them on your own.
Once the torsion rod is positioned and secured, the front track hanger brackets will need to be attached to the wall of your garage. This is done by drilling holes that are the same size as the screw used to attach the previous brackets to the wall.
Troubleshooting
Once you have completed the installation of your new garage door, it’s important to keep it well-maintained. Inspecting the parts of your garage door on a regular basis will ensure that everything continues to work as it should and will prevent potential problems from developing, such as a damaged or stuck opener or a broken spring.
When a garage door isn’t opening and closing properly, there are a few simple fixes that can be made to get the system up and running again. These quick fixes will help to save you money on costly replacements and keep your garage door safe for anyone who uses it.
The first thing you should do is to check the safety sensors to see if they are working correctly. These sensors are located on both sides of the garage door, near the floor, and help to ensure that small children or pets do not get trapped under a closing door. Sometimes the lenses on these sensors can become dirty, causing them to send a false signal to the opener’s control board. A simple wipe with a damp cloth will often fix this problem.
If the safety sensors are not working, you will need to remove the cover and inspect the area for loose wires that may be causing a malfunction. If there are any loose wires, you will need to use a screwdriver to tighten them and reconnect the power if it has been disconnected, then test the sensors again.
One of the most common causes of a malfunctioning garage door is a power outage to the opener or its sensors. This can be due to a variety of things, including power outages in your house, overloaded circuits, or GFCI receptacles that aren’t functioning properly. If you are able to determine the cause of the problem, you can easily troubleshoot it by pressing the TEST button and then the RESET button on your GFCI receptacles.
If the garage door still doesn’t open and close, you will need to check the limit adjustment screw that controls how far the garage door can travel when it is activated by the remote or your wall panel controller. This screw is located on the side of the head bracket and can be adjusted by turning it clockwise to increase the amount of down travel or counterclockwise to decrease the amount of down travel.
Maintenance
Probably no other part of your home’s structure requires as much maintenance as your garage door. Regular preventative care is a key to longevity and trouble-free operation. From making squeaky noises to hanging lopsided, garage doors give plenty of warning signs that they need a little TLC.
The best thing you can do to keep your new garage door functioning properly is to perform a few easy maintenance procedures. These aren’t just meant to keep it in tip-top shape, but to avoid potential issues that can easily become serious problems.
Start with the basics:
Start by removing anything that isn’t needed in your garage, such as bicycles, tricycles, toys, garden hoses and so forth. This will allow the installation team to work without interference. It also gives you an opportunity to clean the area, which is important for two reasons:
First, a dusty garage can cause your new door to rust more quickly than it should, and that’s not good for its longevity or appearance. Second, a messy area can make it difficult for the installers to hang or install your door as they need unimpeded access to its tracks and other components.
The next step is to disconnect the opener and manually lift your door to a position about halfway up. If it stays in place, it is balanced correctly and you can safely operate it. Otherwise, you’ll need to call a professional garage door company near you to inspect and adjust the springs.
It’s also a good idea to test your door’s photoelectric sensor and mechanical auto-reverse features once in a while. To test the photosensor, wave a broom under the door as it’s closing — if it hits it, the garage door will automatically reverse its direction. To test the mechanical auto-reverse, place a wood block, such as a two-by-four piece of lumber, in the path of the closing door. If the garage door hits it, it will immediately reverse its direction.
Lastly, you should regularly lubricate the wheels and pulleys on your garage door. You can purchase a general-purpose lubricant at most hardware and big box home improvement stores. It’s a good idea to get in the habit of doing this about twice each year or after every five to seven years.