Common Complications When Installing A Garage Door
Every garage comes with its own unique layout and particular complications. A professional allows the process of Garage Door Installation to go smoothly because they understand how to handle these challenges, and expect them before they arise. Some elements of a garage door can prove deadly if not handled by a professional. An amateur adjusting garage door springs, both torsion or linear springs, can result in severe injuries or even death.
Some common complications include:
- Not attaching the lift motor to the door’s perfect center: The lift motor and assembly must be installed at the door’s perfect center. Failing to do so will create a tension that twists and binds the door. The result will make the door shudder during its use. Long term, this mistake damages various components, which will result in otherwise unnecessary repairs and replacements.
- Not checking for obstructions: Commonly, amateurs avoid placing the lift motor at the perfect center because a light fixture or outlet occupies that center. Failing to account for these obstructions will cause premature wear on parts and will damage the components of the door.
- Not including the steel stiffener at the top panel’s top edge: The stiffener re-enforces the top panel of the door. When you just buy the door alone, it may not come with the steel stiffener, and if you try to install the door yourself, you might omit this key component. Without the stiffener, the motor’s repeated jerks will bend that top panel to the point where the system jams and the door does not work. This problem occurs over time, and when cheap installation crews neglect to install it, the door wears out after the labor warranty. You then have to foot the bill for damages.
- Not ensuring the proper spacing on gasket seal with the floor: Properly positioning in the lift motor to account for the gasket seal makes the difference between a poor seal and a stressed door. When the first panel touches the floor, the door should still continue to close for another 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This way, the door creates a proper seal, but the door does not experience too much pressure.
- Not testing the safety reverse feature before use: You never want the first time you test the safety feature to be when a pet or small child runs recklessly underneath the door. Professionals will take the time immediately after installation to make sure they properly installed the infrared sensors. Place a two-by-four on the floor and try to close the door. If the door does not reverse and auto-open when it touches the two-by-four, the sensor must be repositioned to ensure the reverse function works properly.
When you choose to work with a team of professionals, they have experience dealing with these common issues. They shouldn’t make these mistakes because they’ve learned how to handle them and how to install doors in almost any garage space.
However, not all companies hold themselves to the same standards. When choosing a team to install your garage door, look for a company with deep ties in the community who have held themselves to a standard of excellence for many years.