A worn or broken garage door cable needs replacement as soon as possible. Before we take a closer look at the role of your garage door cable, we must note that any repair or replacement of large parts calls for the skill of a certified and trained garage door technician.
If you notice issues with the cable or high-tension springs, give our service team a call. Our garage door technicians are on standby 24/7 in case you need us. A garage door in need of repair is a safety and security hazard – we’re here to make sure your garage door is working as it should.
The role of a garage door cable
Garage door cables ensure the safe operation of high-tension springs. The springs in your garage door are powerful and hold the tension that the door needs to lift and shut. Over time, these springs go through general wear and tear. Worn springs pose a safety hazard as they can break. Homeowners who have experienced a broken garage door spring often refer to the sound as a loud popping noise.
If a spring breaks, the cable acts as a safeguard that allows the spring to slide down rather than fly out into the garage or, worse yet, on a passerby. Safety is the main reason why cables need to be in good working condition.
What to expect with a garage door cable repair
A professional technician will come in to inspect your garage door fully and identify any other issues or potential safety hazards. For safety, they’ll turn off the garage door opener and open the garage door fully to release the tension.
Clamps are used on both sides to ensure that the garage door stays open. Your garage door technician will then unhook the springs, remove the broken cable, install a new cable, and hook the springs back.
Frequently asked questions about garage door cables
What causes garage door cables to break?
The most common reason garage door cables fail is wear and tear, which is inevitable on all garage door systems. Other reasons can be improper track alignment that causes strain on other components and corrosion. The complex components of a garage door work like an ecosystem – if one area is worn, damaged, or misaligned, it impacts other parts. If you have a damaged garage door cable, it’s best to avoid using the garage door until a technician can come in to replace them.
How long should a garage door cable last?
Depending on the cycle count of your garage door and how often you use your garage, cables should last 8-15 years. You can extend the life of your garage door cables by keeping up with a regular maintenance schedule.
What happens if a garage door cable breaks?
When a garage door cable breaks, it puts extra pressure and strain onto the other cable causing the garage door to become unbalanced or lift unevenly. Some telltale signs of a snapped cable is a garage door that shakes or becomes crooked when lifting or closing.
What are garage door cables used for?
Garage door cables are used in unison with the torsion and extension springs to counterbalance the weight of the doors. They are located on each side of the door and help lift and shut it smoothly.
Final thoughts
Identifying potential issues in your garage doors, such as worn cables or springs, can be difficult for the untrained eye. Much like a vehicle and other areas of your home, having a regular maintenance plan for your garage door is one of the best ways to make sure that all parts are in good working condition.
Along with repairing and replacing any worn or damaged parts, a garage door maintenance check typically includes the following:
- Testing the garage door opener
- Testing the auto-reverse feature
- Testing the auto sensors
- Testing if the garage door is balanced
- Repair or replace broken springs
- Checking any bends or dents in the tracks
Contact us for all of your residential garage door needs. We provide both on-call and regularly-scheduled maintenance to keep your garage doors operating efficiently year-round. With office locations in Lethbridge, Calgary & Cranbrook, you can count on our team to be there when you need us.
