Garage Door Installation

Free Article: Garage Door Installation

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How To Install A Garage Door (Part 1)

If you are thinking of installing a new garage door and opener yourself you may, justifiably, have a little apprehension. However, all you really need to do is concentrate, taking your time and taking one step at a time.

To be on the safe side allow yourself a full weekend to install your garage door. It usually takes less than twelve hours for simple doors and openers but you could hit problem areas. There will be times when you will need an extra pair of hands such as when you're lifting the new/replacement doors into place or removing the old one. Garage doors can be very heavy and may need to be held in place while you make finer adjustments to the tension springs etc.

You should ensure that you pick a weekend that the weather forecasts expect to be clear of rain as the garage will be open while you are removing the old doors and installing the new. Security could also be an area of concern as during the installation the garage will be unsecured so you may need to have somebody there at all times.

The Right Tools For The Task

There are a few basic tools that you will need for any installation such as a hammer, tape measure, spirit level, screwdrivers and pliers. You will also need a quality socket wrench set and a power drill & bits. C-clamps may be required but you could get by using locking pliers.

Other equipment you will need includes stepladders (preferably 2 sets - one for each side of the door!), sawhorses or something similar to hold different sections in place while you install the garage doors. You should also consider some type of waterproof covering for the garage opening for privacy, protection from the elements but also to keep all of your tools hidden from public view (best to be safe than sorry!).

Other bits and bobs you may need during installation that may not be included with the new garage door such as oil or grease for the runners/track. If you are removing old doors you may need some extra tools such as an impact wrench for those stubborn nuts and bolts. You should also ensure that all of your helpers are wearing protective gloves at all times during the removal and installation procedure.

Removing An Old Overhead Garage Door

Removing an old garage door can be very dangerous, especially if you don't follow the instructions, so you may want to wear some protective gear such as a hard hat. If you are lucky the instructions for your new garage door will include some information on how to remove the old door.

It is usually best to have somebody with you for safety and lending a hand. Imagine if you hurt yourself and were unable to raise the alarm, I can not stress how important basic personal safety is. It is real easy to hurt yourself on the components, especially the springs which need to be released very carefully taking great care to avoid injury. Maybe a couple of guys to help would be the best idea?

There are various types of garage doors but most employ the use of one of the two types of of springs commonly used to balance the weight. These are torsion or extension springs which assist in the opening and closing process. To remove the springs you will need to raise the garage door to fully open. To ensure that they stay open place some C-clamps on the track just below the door on both sides. Tighten them as much as you can and then lower the door to rest upon them and check that they are safely going to stay there. Once you are certain that the door is securely in place you can release the spring assembly (or extension springs) by unhooking them carefully.

Place the old springs well away from the area you are working and place a few planks of wood or blocks of around 4 by 4 on the floor below the door. Get your friends to take the weight of the garage door, remove the C-clamps then gently lower the door. Be very careful as the way in which they are balanced means that the greatest weight will be felt towards the end of the drop. Do not be fooled by the relatively light weight first experienced be prepared for the increase in weight. Make sure that everyone's hands are well clear of the edges as they might get caught in the tracking etc. If you are caught out by the weight and your fingers are on the tracking it is possible that you could, potentially lose a finger or two! The door should be rested upon the planks/blocks which will allow you to release your grip easily.

With the old garage doors resting safely you can then concentrate on the removal of all the old hardware. Start at the very top carefully removing the hardware, door sections and then the track. While some folk try to salvage some of the old equipment this is not a good idea. It is far better to replace everything at the same time. There is no using the old track on the new door as it will likely deteriorate quickly and will need replacing pretty soon which would mean going through the whole process again from the start.

That should now be the old garage doors removed together with all of it's hardware. You should then carefully check the garage opening to ensure that there is no damage. Make sure that there are no remaining nails or screws and that the surfaces are clean ready for you to install your new doors.

Most garage doors are supplied with the manufacturer's instructions for that particular door rather than a generic "how to" document. To ensure a safe installation you should study these carefully and follow them as closely as you can. In the next article we will take a look at how to install a garage door.

Part 2 coming soon...

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