Hey There, My name is Jim Morrison and I’m a garage technician at Supreme Garage Door. Maybe you stumble onto this looking for more information about garage door installation in Dallas or maybe you are just curious about how to get your genie opener to work. Either way, I’m here to give you the best tricks and tips on garage door installation for any Dallas homeowner.
What Are The Parts of Overhead Doors?
So what are the moving parts of a garage door, essentially we have 6 parts that are essential to any residential garage door installation in Dallas. You can see the parts in the next photo, these are:
- Torsion Springs
The torsion springs store energy when the door is closed and help lift it when opening. There are two types: torsion springs (mounted above the door) and extension springs (mounted on either side).
- Cables
These work in conjunction with the springs to lift the door. They need to be in good condition to ensure safe operation.
- Rollers
These are small wheels that guide the door along the tracks, allowing it to open and close smoothly.
- Hinges
They connect the panels of the door, allowing it to bend as it opens and closes.
- Tracks
These guide the movement of the door up and down. Proper alignment is essential for smooth operation.
- Opener
This motorized unit automates the opening and closing of your garage door, usually controlled by a remote or wall switch.
In order to have successful garage door installation in your home, you have to make sure you have all the parts of your garage working properly and efficiently. I invite you to take a stroll around our garage supplies shop to find the right part for your garage door installation.
Most Frequently Asked Questions for Overhead Installation
How To Fix a Overhead Door Off Track?
If the rollers of your door happen to come off track, this can be annoying but an easy task to complete.
First, check the section in which your roller comes off, most often you can find the roller coming off in the overhead garage door because of the door hitting an object. Once you identify where the rollers come off, take the cable out of the emergency pull. You need to do this to move the rollers on your own.
Second, take the rollers and try to fit them in the metal enclosure, if you can’t do it, unscrew one of the bolts of the metal bar so you can fit the roller in perfectly. You want to take a hammer and hit it a couple of times so the rollers can secure in the metal enclosure.
Third, put back your emergent pull arm. In some cases you should be able to do it automatically. However, for the older models you can check the programing of your garage door opener.
Fourth, proceed to open and close your garage door. If you find there is an issue with the motion, you should call a technician and get extra help on your garage door.
I have crawled the internet to find the best video for your inquiry and this is the best video about the subject of garage door going off track:
How To Install a Garage Door Opener?
Installing a garage door opener is a challenging task for you non-technical Dallas homeowner. According to Home Depot, the activity can go from 2 hours to 4 hours. Due to the length of the activity and the involvement of electronic components it’s advised to find a garage door technician for garage door opener installation in Dallas. But if you wanna try it yourself, here are the steps for a successful installation.
First, whether it’s a genie or chamberlain door opener, you are going to deal with a lot of parts. So, make a list of the tools and accessories you need. Your list should like something like this:
- Electric Drill and Bits – For drilling holes and securing hardware.
- Socket Wrench Set – Useful for tightening bolts and nuts.
- Adjustable Wrench – Helps in gripping various sizes of fasteners.
- Screwdrivers (Slotted and Phillips) – Necessary for driving screws into place.
- Hammer – For driving nails or tapping parts into position.
- Hacksaw – May be required to cut metal parts if necessary.
- Stud Finder – To locate wall studs for secure mounting.
- Wire Stripper – For preparing electrical connections.
Whenever you buy a garage door opener you should have the following: motor unit, chain drive, belt drive, trolley, carriage, release handle, rail, header bracket, wall control panel, door arm, door bracket. Now that you have assembled all your tools and items you should be ready for the next step.
Step-by-Step for Overhead Door Opener
Step 1: Assemble the Carriage Tube
If you are attempting to install your garage door opener from scratch, the first step is to attach the carriage tube to the back of the driveway. It’s best practice to secure the motor unit to the carriage tube while it is still on the floor of your driveway. Once you have positioned the motor unit inside the carriage tube, use your wrench to adjust and tighten all the bolts and screws securely.
Step 2: Find the Wall Stud
Next, proceed to mount the carriage tube to the wall. To ensure a secure installation, take a stool and use your stud finder to locate the wall stud behind your garage wall. This will provide a solid anchor point for mounting.
Step 3: Secure the Mounting
After locating the wall stud and determining where to position the motor unit, connect the door bracket to the carriage tube. The door bracket should be placed precisely in the center of the back of your garage door. This alignment is crucial for proper operation.
Step 4: Install the Header Bracket
Begin by measuring and marking the vertical center line of your garage door on the header wall. Locate the highest point of the door’s travel and mark it on this center line. From this point, measure 2-1/4 inches above and mark it; this is where you will place the bottom of your header bracket. Using a level, draw a horizontal line extending 6 inches on either side of this centerline at that height. Position the bottom of the header bracket along this horizontal line, centering it with respect to your vertical mark. Mark where you need to drill holes for mounting and then drill pilot holes if you’re mounting on wood. Finally, secure the header bracket using lag screws for wood or concrete anchors if you’re working with masonry.
Step 5: Attach the Rail to the Motor Unit
Now it’s time to attach the rail to your motor unit. Start by placing the motor unit on the garage floor with some cardboard underneath it to protect it from scratches. Align the rail with the motor unit so that the sprocket on the motor lines up with either the chain or belt drive. Slide the rail into place until it stops at its designated position. Securely fasten it by using provided bolts and nuts, ensuring everything is tightened firmly.
Step 6: Install the Trolley
With everything in place, slide the trolley onto the rail from the header bracket end. Make sure that it is oriented correctly; specifically, ensure that the release handle faces towards the motor unit. Once aligned properly, slide it down until it rests approximately midway along the rail.
Step 7: Hang the Opener
To hang your opener, raise up the motor unit and support it on a ladder. Open your garage door fully and place a piece of 2×4 wood on top of it; this will help you determine how high to position your opener. Resting your opener on this 2×4 will allow you to measure from both your header bracket down to where you’ll attach hanging brackets on your ceiling. Be sure these brackets align with ceiling joists for maximum stability. After marking where you’ll install them, secure them in place before attaching your opener.
If you are more of a visual person, you can watch this video by garage opener veteran, Ron Hazelton. Explaining step by step how to prepare your garage door driveway for a garage door opener:
Technician’s Maintenance Tips for Your Garage
Proper maintenance of your garage door opener is essential for optimal performance. Here are some concise tips:
Keep Your Door Lubricated
Lubricate your garage door every six months using lithium grease or silicone spray. Focus on the hinges, rollers, and torsion springs, avoiding the tracks to ensure smooth operation. After applying lubricant, manually open and close the door a few times to distribute it evenly.
Change the Bottom Seal
Inspect the bottom seal regularly for wear and tear. If damaged, replace it to keep out moisture and pests. To do this, pull out the old seal and measure your garage door’s width to buy a new one. Slide the new seal into the track at the bottom of the door for a snug fit.
Tune-Up Your Garage Door
Regularly inspect all moving parts, including rollers and springs, and tighten any loose bolts. Replace worn components promptly to prevent further issues. Ensure the garage door opener chain is appropriately tensioned to avoid noise during operation.
By following these simple maintenance tips, you can enhance your garage door’s longevity and ensure reliable performance.
Conclusion
Whether you are a new homeowner in Dallas or have been living in your home for years, taking the time to care for your garage door will pay off in the long run. Stay proactive with these maintenance tips, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a well-functioning garage door system. Garage door installation in Dallas can be difficult because of the price and the overwhelming amount of unqualified of run of the mill technicians. Remember to get the best price and professional installation, don’t hesitate to consult with a professional at Supreme Garage Door for assistance.