Installing a garage door opener can be a big job for a homeowner. There are plenty of tutorials about just that sort of thing, but one has to keep a few things in mind.
The most important criteria is the skill level of the installer. A homeowner might not balk at replacing a door knob, but if on the other hand a repair person is called into replace a leaking faucet, perhaps a professional should be called. This is not to be taken as a sign of weakness, but merely a precaution. Garage doors that come loose and lower themselves due to faulty installation can cause serious damage to a person, car or other object nearby.
Once one is sure his or her skills are up to the task and an opener must be chosen. Follow the scout motto and be prepared make sure all the tools are available and organize the supplies. Go over the entire set of instructions. Remember safety is more important that pride. Reading over the instructions will gives one a chance to make sure all the bolts and screwdrivers are in place. Discovering a missing bolt half way through a project when the door is down and the car is trapped in is not very smart. Not having all the necessary tools might be an indication that a professional should be called.
This is also the time to make sure one can reach the ceiling to perform the installation. Is the ladder tall enough? Will an extra set of hands be needed for a crucial hold and tighten moment. Recruiting that person and having them wait may seem like a waste of their time. Instead ask them to help by handing out tools and supplies as needed. Getting help through the whole process is better than ones arms getting weak from exhaustion while shouting across the home.
Ensure that the door is lifting properly. The garage door opener is not actually lifting the full weight of the door. There are springs and pulleys doing the actual labor, a manually opening door and the new opener are actually breaking the force of inertia that hold the door up or down. If the door can't be lifted manually, then a repairman needs to be called to fix the door first.
Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. Each garage door opener is going to be different, and if one skips something it will likely be regretted later. Check the height requirements for the various parts. Garage door openers should be about 7 feet off the floor to keep from hitting tall car tops. The safety reverse system should be installed about 6 inches off the ground and tested monthly. The operator panel should be at least 5 feet off the ground to ensure that small children don’t play with it. The operator panel should also be in a clean line of sight to the door so that it is not activated while something or someone is under the door.
These a helpful hints should make installing a garage door opener a little easier and safer. Remember to side act with caution and be thorough and follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that an afternoon of effort is rewarded with years of use, and when in doubt, call in a garage door service to get the job done right the first time.
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