Broken or damaged garage door cables can occur for many reasons. When your garage door cables get old or accumulate a lot of wear and tear from the weather, they can damage from becoming rusty or loose and require garage door repair. The following are a few of the most common causes that can lead to damaged garage door cables.
1. Improperly installed garage door springs
Garage door springs that are not installed properly can cause your cables to snap or loosen.
This happens because the tension springs are not able to handle the tension from your garage door being opened when they are improperly installed. Thereafter, the cables will jump off their track and snap or break, which can also cause your garage door to become close unevenly or become stuck.
When this happens, you’ll need a highly-qualified garage door repair contractor to fix this problem and get your garage door back to working like it’s brand new.
2. Damaged garage door pulleys
Damaged pulleys are one of the most common causes of snapped garage door cables.
If your pulley becomes damaged it can cause your cables to become weak from constant friction. When this problem goes unnoticed for a long time, it will eventually cause your entire garage door cable to snap.
Therefore, you should consistently check on your garage door springs and cables to make sure they are still functioning properly.
3. Misaligned garage door track
Garage door tracks can shift and become misaligned as they are constantly used.
This can lead to parts of your garage door becoming damaged such as your cables and your springs. In more severe cases, it can also affect other hardware on your garage door such as your hinges and bolts, and this can lead to your garage door not functioning properly. These issues may not be easy for most homeowners to recognize, so it is best to contact a professional garage door repair company when you notice movement or sounds coming from your garage door that’s out of the ordinary.
4. Garage Door Wires Snapped
When garage door wires snap, it can lead to a significant disruption in the functionality and safety of the garage door system. These wires, typically torsion or extension spring cables, bear the weight and tension of the garage door, allowing for smooth opening and closing. When they snap, the door may become unbalanced, making it difficult or impossible to operate manually or with an automatic opener. Additionally, the sudden release of tension can cause the door to slam shut, posing a serious risk of injury or property damage. It is crucial to address this issue promptly to avoid further complications and to ensure the safety of anyone using the garage.
Repairing snapped garage door wires is not a task for amateurs due to the high tension involved, which can be dangerous if handled improperly. A professional technician should be contacted to assess the damage and replace the cables safely. The repair process typically involves detaching the door from the opener, securing the door to prevent it from falling, and then replacing the broken cables with new ones. Ensuring that the cables are properly installed and tensioned is essential for the long-term functionality and safety of the garage door. Regular maintenance checks can help prevent such issues by identifying wear and tear before a complete failure occurs
Need garage door repair services in the Richmond, VA area? Contact us today for a free estimate to get started!
Ongoing Garage Door Maintenance Minimizes Chances Of Broken Cables
Routine visual inspections, lubrication and necessary adjustments can greatly extend the service life of a garage door and its components – including the garage door cables.
At A1 Door Co, our Always Up Maintenance Plan is a yearly plan for residential garage doors that provides a 29-point diagnostic of the garage door and its opener. Maintenance plan customers also receive priority scheduling if a repair need does surface throughout the year plus discounts on repair services or new installations.
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