Tips for Garage Door Opener Installation
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Are you struggling with your garage door opener installation? Installing a garage door opener isn’t exactly rocket science, but there are a lot of important details involved. Each type of garage door is a little different, so this isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Even among the same type of garage doors, each manufacturer’s opener is slightly different and might require different installation instructions, so be sure to carefully read the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
Why a garage door opener?
A garage door opener is one of the finest devices mankind has ever invented. If you’ve ever had to get out of your warm, dry car to open the garage in a cold, driving rain, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Garage door openers are also a great safety precaution. You can remain in your locked car until safely inside your garage, then you can lock it, too. When you’re not using the garage, you can keep it locked to keep out intruders.
Universal safety precautions for garage door opener installation
No matter which type of garage door you have – chain driven, belt driven, or screw driven – most of the same safety precautions apply to all.
First of all, read the entire instructions before ever starting on the actual job. For parts you don’t understand, read them again.
Next, make sure your garage door opens and closes easily by hand. If it doesn’t, the opener won’t work properly. The door should slide open and shut with little effort. If you have to grease it to make this happen, do so.
Take off any cords that might be attached to your garage door. It’s easy to get tangled in these, so unless you’re planning on hanging yourself, remove them.
If your garage door has any locks, make sure you remove them.
Make sure you have a ground fault circuit interrupter near the new garage door opener.
Be sure to install the controls up and out of the reach of children – about five feet from the ground.
Read the instructions again and make sure you can identify all the parts to your new garage door opener.
Now you’re almost ready to install your new garage door opener!
Items you’ll need for your garage door opener installation
Nothing’s worse than getting immersed in a task only to find you don’t have everything you need to complete the job properly. Before you begin to actually install your new garage door opener, double check to ensure that you have the following:
Garage door opener (D’uh!)
Mounting bracket
Lag screws
Staples
Pieces of wood (2 x 4s)
Tools you’ll need to complete your project
One other thing: before you start installing your new garage door opener, make sure you have the right tools. Buy them, borrow them, or beg them if you have to. You’ll find the job goes a lot easier with the proper tools. Here’s what you’ll need:
Step stool or ladder
Tape measure
Drill
Level
Hammer
Screw driver
Hacksaw
Pliers
Wrench
Pair of wire cutters
Socket set
Now, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper garage door opener installation!
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