A garage door opener is a motorized tool for opening and closing a garage door. Switches on the garage wall control these openers. If you are still leaving the vehicle in your driveway and lifting the garage door by hand, you clearly don’t know the importance of garage door openers. But if you are serious about your house’s security and have installed a garage door opener, timely maintenance is the best thing you can do.
We, AAA Garage Door Services, do not endorse a DIY fix to your garage opener; however, if you still wish to do it yourself to save money, here’s our detailed assistance.
Garage Door Opener Installation and Repair Details:
Duration: 4 to 6 hours
Number of days: 1 to 2 days
Average Cost: $200 to $400
Why do you need a functioning and well-maintained garage door opener?
A garage door is the biggest moving piece that your home has. It has to endure all the weather conditions and your odd driving. While the garage door needs regular maintenance (every 3000 cycles), its door openers also require routine maintenance.
The main reasons for a functional and well-maintained garage door opener are–
- It helps to shut your garage door.
- Openers help to keep unwanted intruders out of the home.
- They help to prevent accidents or injuries that the heavy manual garage door would’ve caused.
- It helps to reduce the extra noise during the opening and closing of garage doors.
- They also come in handy during disasters. E.g., if the power goes off for a couple of days, you can still use your door opener a dozen times.
- Openers also provide homeowners convenience and ease of use by facilitating buttons, Wi-Fi connectivity, and automatic lights.
Pre-installation or repair process for a garage door opener
Can a damaged garage door opener be repaired? – As a professional garage door service and repair company, we get this question A LOT! The answer is yes. You can repair the damaged garage door opener. You just need some materials and precautions. However, in the worst-case scenario, we advise you to get pro help!
Materials you will need to install or repair a garage door opener
These are the materials that you must acquire before doing the deed–
Tools needed to repair a garage door opener :
- Cordless Drill
- Circular Saw
- Manual Screwdriver
- Wrenches
- Six-Foot Ladder
- Bubble or Laser Level
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Hammer
- Nails
- Screws
Materials needed to repair a garage door opener:
- Garage Door Opener Kit
- Scrap two-by-fours
- Cable Staples
Safety measures to maintain before installation or repair of a garage door opener
These are the safety measures that you must maintain before installing or repairing a garage door opener:
- Inspect the garage door and its tracks for wear and tear – If you observe any damage in the door, it is best to replace it entirely before replacing or installing the opener. You must call a professional if there’s any damage to the garage springs and cables.
- Disconnect the power source to the opener before beginning any work – You must turn off the circuit breaker that controls the garage or unplug the opener from the electrical outlet. Additionally, close the door fully and secure it before beginning any repair or garage installation work.
- Use caution to avoid electrical shocks or damage to the opener’s parts – Always use the manufacturer-recommended tools and follow the instructions carefully. If you are unsure about any step of the installation or repair process, we advise seeking a qualified professional’s guidance.
- Consider noise levels and limit work on the opener to reasonable hours – It is also worth noting that garage door openers can be noisy and disruptive to neighboring households.
Step-To-Step Process To Install A Garage Door Opener
When to replace a garage door opener? – Before diving head first into the steps to install a garage door opener, let’s look at some of the signs on the door that scream “change the garage door opener“–
Sign 1: The garage door is stalling, sticking, and refusing to open.
Sign 2: The garage door reverses itself when opening or closing.
Note: These two issues can be of the door itself, but in many cases, they get caused by a faulty garage door opener.
Sign 3: The garage door operation is loud.
Note: In this case, the door either needs lubrication or a replacement.
Now that you are fully aware that your garage door repair needs a new installation, let’s look at the steps–
Step 1: To mount the opener: Choosing the right location for an opener
The first step is to locate the ideal place to mount your garage door opener. Ensure enough space between the ceiling and the opener, with no obstructions like wires or pipes. Additionally, you must mount the opener in a central position allowing easy access.
Step 2: Installing mountain brackets
Once you have a designated location, install the mounting bracket. The bracket should be attached to the ceiling with sturdy bolts and screws. Before proceeding to the next step, ensure the bracket is firmly in place.
Step 3: Attaching the opener to the bracket
The next step is to attach the garage door opener to the previously installed mounting bracket. Try to align the opener with the bracket and bolt using the provided hardware. After bolting the opener to the bracket, ensure it’s level.
Step 4: Wiring the opener
Wire the opener to the power source by running a cable from the opener to an outlet, i.e., your home’s electrical system.
Step 5: Testing the opener
Before using the garage door opener, testing it to ensure everything functions smoothly is essential. Test the opener by opening and closing the garage door to ensure everything works correctly. Take note of any unusual sounds or movements and address them accordingly.
Step 6: Troubleshooting issues
If you observe any issues during the installation or testing, refer to the user manual or seek professional assistance. Here are some troubleshooting issues–
- Unresponsive remote controls
- Misalignment
- Incorrect wiring
Common problems with garage door openers
Now that you know how and when to replace or install a new garage door opener, let’s look at some common problems with garage door openers that need repairing.
a. Misalignment
Over time, the tracks that guide the door get bent or warped, causing the door to come off its alignment. This issue can result in the door being unable to open or close properly. However, in some cases, the door may get stuck halfway, leaving the homeowner unable to use the garage. Misalignment can also cause strain on the motor, leading to burnout or failure.
b. Faulty sensors
A sensor detects any obstruction in the door’s path and stops the door from closing on people or objects. If the sensors malfunction, the door may close on something, causing damage or injury.
c. Opener Motor Issues
There can be a problem with the garage door opener motor, such as issues with wiring, electronics, or the engine itself. The opener won’t work if the door opener’s motor fails.
d. Power supply issue
The garage door opener often malfunctions due to the power issue. The opener won’t work if there’s no power in it.
Steps to take before repairing a garage door opener
Now that you have located where or what the problem is, here are the steps to prepare for repairing a garage door opener.
Step 1: Inspect the Door
Inspecting your garage door thoroughly to check if it functions correctly is essential. Check for any obstructions that may prevent the door from opening or closing, any physical damage or wear to the door, or any loose bolts or damaged tracks or springs.
Step 2: Disconnect the Power
Always turn off the power to the garage door opener before starting any repair work. Now, disconnect it from the power source to avoid electrical shocks or short circuits during repairs.
Step 3: Gather the Necessary Tools
At last, you must gather the necessary tools and spare parts to repair the garage door opener.
Step-To-Step Process to Repair a garage door opener
How to repair a garage door opener? – This query always gets in our way. Here are our guided steps to repair a garage door opener.
Remember: Any issue beyond what we’ve discussed (below) about repairing needs professional help.
Step 1: Replacing the motor
Inspect the driving force behind the garage door opener’s movement to replace the motor. The engine may become damaged due to wear and tear, overheating, or electrical issues. Here’s how to replace it–
- Remove the cover and locate the motor.
- Disconnect the power source from the garage door opener to replace the motor and release the tension on the chain or belt.
- Take out the motor’s mounting bracket.
- Disconnect the motor from the opener by unplugging the wires.
- Remove the screws that attach the motor to the opener and remove the engine.
- Fit a new motor into the opener and screw it into place using the screws.
- Now finish the process by simply connecting the wire to the new motor and replacing the cover.
Step 2: Replacing the circuit board
A circuit board is the brain of the garage door opener. Its role is to interpret the user’s input, process, and control the garage door opener’s movement. The garage door opener may not function or behave erratically if the circuit board fails.
Here’s how to replace it–
- Disconnect the power to the opener and remove the cover.
- Locate the circuit board and unplug the wires.
- Remove the screws that attach the compatible circuit board to the opener and replace it with a new one.
- Plug in the cables and replace the cover.
Step 3: Replacing the chain or belt
The chain or belt links the garage door opener and the garage door’s movement. Remember, chains or belts may become damaged or worn out due to excessive use. It can also damage due to exposure to environmental factors such as dirt, dust, or moisture.
Here’s how to replace it–
- Disconnect the power to the opener.
- Remove the cover and locate the chain or belt.
- Loosen the bolts that hold the motor to the opener and remove the old chain or belt.
- Fit a new chain or belt by wrapping it around the engine and the opener.
- Tighten the bolts that hold the engine to the opener and replace the cover.
How to maintain a garage door opener?
You can easily maintain a garage door opener. Here are some maintenance tips for your garage door opener–
- Lubricate the moving parts like rollers and tracks of the garage door often to prevent rust and provide smooth movement.
Note: You must use a silicone-based lubricant. It does not attract dirt or dust.
- Check the hardware, such as bolts, nuts, and screws, at least once a year to ensure they get tightened securely. Loose hardware causes the garage door opener to malfunction or even fall.
- Now, check the weatherstripping at the bottom of the garage door regularly. Weatherstripping can deteriorate over time and cause drafts and leaks. So, replace it to maintain energy efficiency.
- Routinely test these features to ensure they work properly. All garage door openers have safety features such as auto-reverse and photo-eye sensors.
- Regularly clean your garage door opener and surrounding areas to prevent dust and debris from accumulating.
Conclusion
It can initially get intimidating while installing or repairing a garage door opener. But it is also possible with the right tools and guidance. However, if you find it complex or get stuck somewhere during the process, call AAA Garage Door Services for expert help fixing your garage door openers!
Don’t allow a broken garage door opener to make you stranded! Take action and get your door up and running smoothly again. Read our guide on garage door repair costs in Washington.
