How to Install a Garage Door Opener

If you are tired of getting wet while opening your garage door in a rain storm or having to stop on your way down the driveway to go close it, it is time to install a garage door opener. This may not be the easiest do-it-yourself project, but it is within the abilities of most people.

Set aside several hours for this job. It will require some careful measuring. You will have to run extra wiring if it is not a replacement. Make an afternoon of it and invite a couple of friends to help. Buy the opener a week or so ahead of time so that you can have all of the supplies and tools on hand when you start the installation.

Like any DIY project, you always want to open the box and inventory the contents to familiarize yourself with the garage door opener. This will also give you an opportunity to make sure that nothing is missing. Read through the directions to make sure that you understand any special problems that your new toy may bring. This will almost always result in a trip to the home center to buy an extra tool and some other needed products to make the installation work.

When doing a replacement, take the time to learn how the old unit was installed. This will give you a head start on installing the new one. Plus, it will give you a chance to see if all of the old wiring will work with the new unit.

Once you have everything in place, you are ready to start the installation. For a new installation make sure that you have identified a source for power to the unit if you are not doing a replacement. Turn off the power and run any necessary wiring. It is good if you can find electricity in the attic above the opener without having to run wire from the breaker box. Use wire nuts and junction boxes when appropriate. With wires at the installation point of the motor, you are ready to attach the garage door opener to the ceiling or trusses of the garage.

This may require an extra board or two be put into place to give you something solid to anchor the opener. These units can be pretty heavy. So, make sure that you have done a good job of providing a secure place to attach it. Point the business end of the garage door opener toward your garage door. The position should be roughly in line with the center of the garage door.

If you are not sure about precisely where this should be, measure the door. Divide that amount in half. On the ceiling above the garage door mark a light line to guide you. If necessary, sketch these lines the entire distance from the door to the position that the opener will occupy. Bolt or screw the garage door opener into place. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for clearances and type of fasteners to use.

Attach the portion of the opener that extends from the motor to the garage door. It may be belt, chain, or screw driven. Fasten the bracket to the door. Make sure that the door is strong enough to withstand the pull of the opener without separating. If it cannot, you will need to brace it with wood or metal depending on what is suggested by the door and opener manufacturers.

Once all attachments have been made, go back over the entire mechanism and tighten up all bolts and screws securely. Run the wiring to the electric sensors and switch or switches and install them. There should be sensors near the floor on either side of the inside of the door to keep the operation from shutting if something or someone is in the way. Test the manual release a time or two to make sure that it works. You will need this if you do not have a backup power source.

Open and close the door several times with the wall switch or switches and the remotes. Test the safety stops with some small objects to make sure they work. It is probably time for lunch or supper. So, go treat yourself to a reward for taking care of this tough job.

Written by Allen Teal. For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

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