Is your garage door failing to open or close properly? You rely on your garage door to keep your vehicle safe from intruders and harsh weather elements. The daily strain on the moving parts can cause malfunctions and breakage. Being proactive can help you avoid expensive repairs and keep your property safe.
One of the most common issues is broken garage door cables. There can be many reasons why your cables are preventing you from being able to use your garage door. Here are the top three ways your garage door cables can break and how you can solve the problem.
Friction Damage from Pulleys
Your garage door cables can break with friction damage from pulleys. The cable consists of long metal strands woven together in a braid. The more metal strands there are, the stronger the cable. Thicker cables require bigger drums to accommodate the tension load. If the pulley becomes damaged, the cables can experience more friction and snap. Depending on what type of door you have, this can cause numerous injuries and damage from flying parts.
Faulty bearings can also cause wear and tear on the pulley system. Sometimes cables can get wound around the drums of the pulleys and may need to be unwound and reconnected to work correctly. When this issue occurs, your door may become stuck or tilted to one side. In order to fix this issue, the door may need to be removed temporarily to make repairs. Because garage doors can be heavy, you should trust professionals to do the work to avoid personal injury.
Poor Installation of Garage Door Springs
There are two main types of garage door cables, depending on what springs are installed. Lift cables can be found on garage doors with torsion springs attached to the bottom. These torsion springs help to counterbalance the system if the cables break. Retaining cables run vertically on garage doors with extension springs. The extension springs are protected from falling off if the cables should break.
Garage door springs are a crucial factor in providing the right amount of tension. If the springs are installed poorly, your garage door cables can jump off the track and break. This can lead to your garage door getting stuck or opening unevenly. The springs can snap under pressure and create a dangerous safety hazard. Make sure your door is installed by a reliable garage door professional and lubricate your cables and springs on a regular basis with oil.
Garage Door Track Misalignment
Your garage door can shift as it is used on a frequent basis. This misalignment can damage garage door cables and springs. If not repaired immediately, you may notice damage to bolts and hinges. Your garage door should be examined by an experienced professional twice a year to help prevent expensive repairs. During this inspection, the garage door technician can look for signs of rust, excessive wear and fraying that can create operational problems. Parts can be cleaned and lubricated to help boost the longevity of your system so you can have peace of mind.
Professional Repair and Installation of Garage Door Cables
Maintaining your garage door cables can help you save money and stress in the future. If your door fails to work properly, you may want to avoid using it until it can get repaired to prevent further damage or injury. No matter what issues you have with your garage door cables, HABPRO Garage Doors can help. With over 40 years of experience, you can trust experienced professionals to install any type of garage door and provide convenient, affordable repairs. Call to schedule an appointment to receive a free quote on service today.
