Garage Door/Garage Door Opener Question

avelanchefan

Long story but will try to make this quick. We have a vinyl type garage door. It got a rip in it and has slowly started to bow. Called Sear's garage door people to have them take a look at it. The guy offered me two options....new garage door, or a band-aide fix of a metal strut across the door to stabilize it. After a long deliberation with my wife we decided to do the strut just because the holidays are over, money is a little tight, and we would rather not charge for a garage door right at the moment.

So we explained to the repair man our situation and decision. So he kinda gets this attitude about it and explains he/sears has no responsibility if the door breaks tomorrow...yada yada. I told him I was fully aware of that and we are aware the door needs to be replaced asap. So then he tells me that I need to be aware that adding the strut will burn out the garage door because of the added extra weight. I just told him to please add the strut.

I watched him put the strut on, helped him a bit, but the thing weighs maybe 10 pounds...15 max. Could that weight burn out a motor? Its a craftsman 1/2 horse garage door opener. I just dont see it, but I am no expert....any one....thoughts?

thsmith

Not likely for the near term but may aid to the motor eventual failure. I suspect your gd is already lighter than most other types like steel or wood.

Toolfan66

Garage doors are already heavy as is that's why you have the springs up top without those that motor would be lucky to pull the door up. I believe you will be ok for awhile.

WilliamM2

If the springs are adjusted correctly, there will be no more weight for the garage door opener than there was before. The springs are adjustable for just that reason, different door material vary greatly in weight, between wood, fiberglass, steel, and vinyl. If the springs are adjusted correctly, you should be able to open the door half way manually, and have it stay open by itself. This is with the door opener disengaged of course.

I have a 1/2 hp Craftsman running my 16' foot double insulated steel door (steel on the inside and outside layers), and I guarantee it weighs double your vinyl door, and it's been working fine for years.

avelanchefan

Alright...thanks guys. I figured as much. Its a 16x7 door, but I just don't see how that minimal weight would be an issue.

Willow

Ours is vinyl insulated and finished on both sides. We did not buy a hd GD opener and we have no issues what so ever. Been 5 yrs now

SDA1C

Just installed a new garage door and opener about 3 weeks ago. When testing and adjusting I cycled it without the springs in action. The 1/2 horse motor did just fine without the aid of springs. I seriously doubt a strip of metal is going to cause any premature wear to the opener.

Can you not get just one panel to replace the broken one? Most cases are such that they can be replaced individually if need be.

avelanchefan

SDA1C wrote: »

Just installed a new garage door and opener about 3 weeks ago. When testing and adjusting I cycled it without the springs in action. The 1/2 horse motor did just fine without the aid of springs. I seriously doubt a strip of metal is going to cause any premature wear to the opener.

Can you not get just one panel to replace the broken one? Most cases are such that they can be replaced individually if need be.

I did not ask for that option....but the door is old and a new one seems more logical. I was quoted 999 + tax.

SDA1C

Ahh I see. I assumed it was damage to a newer door. Be careful of the 999 thing. I checked that and it was a lower grade door. Insulation is very important for heating costs (whether you heat the garage or not) if its attached to your house. Also be aware of the single lined vs. double lined doors. A little more upfront will last 3 to 4 times as long.

Good luck on your new door.

1C

zane77

Installing a garage door is an easy DIY project, doesn't take any specialized tools, just a few tools most people have around their garage anyway. I had to replace mine when my wife didn't wait for it to go all the way up when backing out.

steveinaz

You'll be fine Sean. I always add 2 extra struts to these cheeseball garage doors they sell in Arizona. They are not heavy-duty enough for the straight line winds we get, in stock form. Ever since I followed Greer's advice (the local mill house that provides the windows/doors), I haven't had a problem. I would imagine a strip band-iron or aluminum would serve the same purpose.

72RR

I agree, you should be fine; the little bit of added weight shouldn't effect you at all.
I have an 18'x7' wood door, much heavier than yours, with a Sears 1/2 hp opener. It worked great until a door spring broke.
Long story short - after I replaced the springs a local shop installed with the proper ones, it is continuing to work great, for the last three years at this point.

tonyb

My 2 car garage still has the original door, all wood, 37 years old, with a gazillion coats of paint on it. The half horse opener has been changed about 10 years ago but it still lifts that puppy fine. I do notice when moisture is high that door sucks it in and the added weight makes the motor struggle....but it's a heavy door when dry anyway.

You'll be fine, the Sears dude wanted a sale is all and if his attitude was better, I bet you would go back there when the time came.