Replacing your garage door opener can be a real pain in the neck. There’s the immediate issue concerning how you’ll access the interior (and that can be a challenge!). Then there’s the complicated task of figuring out which parts you’ll need, what exactly should be replaced, how to get started, and how much it will cost you in the end. This article will break down everything you need to know about overcoming your garage door obstacles.

Step 1: Accessing the interior without the garage door opener

Step 2: What parts do you need?

Step 3: What parts can you keep?

Step 4: Finding a retailer

Step 5: Estimate a budget

First, you have to deal with the annoying task of actually getting into your garage the old fashioned How To Temporarily Seal Garage Door way. There are three possible scenarios here, let’s take a closer look at each one:

Remote is broken and/or lost. Let’s assume you have already checked under all the cushions and have looked in ever conceivable place. Now, before you give yourself a hernia, go inside and check to see if the receiver and opener are still working. You will know by pushing the “open” button that is most likely located on the wall.

Open from exterior. Locate the lever on the outside of the door and pull up slowly. This shouldn’t be a problem as the door is far heavier than you probably imagine. Ensure the door does not slip off the track as you lift. For doors requiring key access, simply unlock to release the handle.

Open from interior. If your door has keyless entry, you already tried the first two suggestions, or you are stuck inside and reading these instructions from an iPad or iPhone, locate the opener (usually on the ceiling). You will see a safety release mechanism. There should be instructions on the mechanism explaining how to release the latch, freeing the door and allowing you to pull up from the inside. Clear the area from small children and animals. Then, pull up slowly; ensuring the door does not slip off the track as you lift.

Next, figure out which parts you need. This step requires some detective work. The remote is what you keep on your keychain, clipped to your visor, or stashed in your purse. If it has a light & is still lighting up, it’s probably not the battery. The opener is a square-shaped device located on the ceiling inside the garage and contains the electronic components that communicate with the door to open it. The receiver Tilt Up Vs Roll Up Garage Doors is a smaller device that typical serves as, well, a receiver. It intercepts signals coming from the opener, the remote, and home security products. Mechanical problems are likely accompanied by an audible sound, whereas electrical problems are more difficult to detect. Smaller components like wires, switches, and accessories will require trouble-shooting which you can do online or by talking to a retailer.

Just because your opener is bad, it doesn’t mean you have to replace all the parts. We already went over a number of other components that affect the way garage door opens. Isolate the part(s) that need replacing and only replace more if you’re specifically looking for an upgrade.

Thanks to the internet, finding a retailer is relatively easy these days. You’ll definitely want to go this route if you’re looking for a large selection of replacement parts, complete systems, uncommon components, or your manufacturer is no longer around. Some of the “big-box” home improvement stores are certain to carry a small selection of popular parts and brand-name operators.

Most mechanical things with lots of moving parts cost a lot of money to replace. Depending on what needs replacing, repairs can run anywhere from $5 to $500. You’ll want to keep a running tab of the parts you need and give yourself some type of budget to stick with so you’re not caught off guard by the final price.

By master