Your garage door motor mimics an engine that facilitates a smooth opening and closing of your garage door. If that motor malfunctions, you may want to consider a garage door motor replacement. It involves replacing the tired motor with a new one. It means giving your garage door a power boost.
A trained technician will come with the right tools, pop out the old motor, and swap in the new one. It may be likened to a rejuvenating treatment to keep the garage door smoothly gliding up and down.
What Types of Motors Does a Garage Door Use?
Garage doors are typically equipped with electric motors. They have a specific function of opening and closing the door. The main types of motors used in garage doors are:
Chain Drive Motors: These motors use a chain to move the door along a path. They are durable but can be noisy when opened or closed.
Belt Drive Motors: Same as chain drive motors, these also have a belt that moves the door. These belts are typically constructed from rubber or steel. They produce less noise than chain drives but tend to be expensive.
Screw Drive Motors: These motors use a threaded steel rod for moving the door. They usually need less maintenance.
Direct Drive Motors: In this type, the motor moves along a stationary chain embedded in a rail. Direct drive motors operate much more quietly than other motors and require minimal maintenance.
How Do Technicians Replace a Garage Door Motor?
It may be risky to replace your malfunctioning garage door motor on your own. So, you must hire a trained technician to do the garage door motor replacement for you. Moreover, it involves technical knowledge of specific components that a homeowner might not possess.
The step-by-step process of replacement includes:
- Assessment: The technician assesses the installed garage door motor and its components. They look for any signs of wear, damage, or malfunction.
- Disconnect Power: The technician then swithes-off the power to the garage door opener before working on it. This is done for safety purposes during the garage door motor replacement process.
- Removal of Old Motor: The old motor is then removed from its mounting bracket. This is done by loosening screws, bolts, or other fasteners.
- Uninstalling Parts: The technician is trained on the technique to uninstall other components connected to the motor, including chains, belts, or screws. It depends on the type of garage door opener.
- Mounting New Motor: Next a new motor is mounted onto the existing bracket or a new one if required. Proper alignment is vital for the smooth functioning of the garage door.
- Connection and Wiring: The technician connects the new motor to the garage door system and secures all wiring. This means coupling the motor with the power source and any control panels.
- Testing: The technician performs thorough testing after the installation is complete. This includes checking the motor’s functionality to make sure it responds to remote control commands and verifying the safety features.
- Adjustments: A garage door expert optimizes and adjusts the garage door opener’s settings. This is done to assure optimal performance. The adjustments include setting the force and travel limits.
The Final Words
Once the garage door motor replacement is complete, the technician explains the operation of the new motor to the homeowner They share all required information about maintenance and troubleshooting.