Installing an opener
Garage dooropener installation
Before buying an opener, make sure the door is balanced and moves freely. A new motor on a door with a bad spring will wear out early.
Choosing one
Door weight and height matter most. A heavy insulated or tall door asks more of a motor than a light single door.
Chain drives are common and tend to be louder. Belt drives run more quietly, which helps if a bedroom sits above the garage. Battery backup lets you run the door in an outage.
The safety parts
The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that children have been trapped and killed under automatic garage doors. It says an electric eye should sit 4 to 6 inches above the floor. Mount the wall button high, out of a child's reach, and keep remotes away from children.
What to expect from the installer
Checking the door first
The door should stay put when lifted halfway by hand. If it doesn't, the spring needs attention before any opener goes on.
The outlet
The opener needs a grounded outlet within reach of its cord. If you need a new one, ask who handles it. Electrical installation is on Olathe's residential permit list.
Testing in front of you
Ask to see the sensors stop the door and the door reverse when it touches a 2x4 laid flat in its path.
Before they leave
Your remotes should be paired, and you should know how to use the release handle.
Ready to talk to a contractor?
Your call goes to an independent contractor who works in this area. Say what the door is doing, ask what the price covers, and ask for license details before you agree to anything.