What To Keep In Mind When Trying To Install Garage Door Opener Yourself
Posted By Houston Decorator on April 11, 2011
As odd as it may seem, a great many people purchase garage door openers and forget that one needs to properly install opener as well. This may come as a surprise cut into an already-strained family budget when people opt to pay the cost of the services of a professional technician, failing to realize that garage door openers can be easily installed by the (reasonably handy) average Joe.
If you’re the sort of person that’s adept at household maintenance, and regularly carry out renovation, construction or other DIY projects at home, you may want to save yourself the cost of professional installation and install opener yourself. There are a number of potentially valuable resources you can and should make use of while going about this project. First, unsurprisingly, it’s recommended that you read and fully comprehend your opener’s owner’s manual. Secondly, you may want to check out online video instructions, which you can usually view for free on You tube or special interest websites (some garage door openers actually come with an instructional DVD, which delves thoroughly into the proper placement, function, and maintenance of parts, as well as the things you’ll want to keep in mind when endeavoring to install garage door opener yourself.
Before you even buy your opener, you should know that the easiest garage door openers to install are the chain and screw-driven varieties. Know also that you’ll need to have a few things available aside from the garage door opener itself. These include: a sturdy stepladder to reach the ceiling of the garage; a power drill; a standard toolbox assortment, with a hammer, pliers and so forth; and steel sheets, in case your garage door turns out to be too light and needs some reinforcement to stabilize its motion. Also make sure you have the owner’s manual on hand for regular reference.
Here are a few other points to keep in mind, which your manufacturer might have neglected to state in the manual. When installing the power unit, ensure that the stepladder is raised to its maximum height, which will prevent you having to clean and press the device in order to get it above your head, thus circumventing the possibility of accidental mishandling or bumping of the unit. Also, be especially careful during the electrical wiring part of the installation. Turning off the plug switch is not enough – always install the wiring only when the power has been properly disconnected at the main breaker source. It’s also practical to have someone with you when you decide to install opener wiring, in case of accidents. If you’re not certain how to properly go about the electrical installation, you may want to contact the local electrician for this part in the process of install garage door opener.
Also, don’t forget to install the manual disconnect cord. This will be essential during any malfunction of the automatic garage door opener. The manual disconnect cord is best installed at a height at which adults can easily reach it, but children can not.
Finally, after the installation has been completed, be sure to check the opener’s reverse system at least twice. This is done by placing a small block of wood or even a roll of rags or kitchen towels under the door, then activating the opener’s close function. The garage door should stop descending and reverse the moment it senses any obstruction. This is generally the last and most important step in the process of install garage door opener.
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