Cables
Assisting in a Smooth Operation
Cables contribute to the smooth lifting and lowering of the garage door. Both torsion springs and extension springs use cables. They are attached to the bottom of the door and a cable drum at each end of the spring shafts. If one cable breaks or snaps, the door will raise and lower unevenly. It will also put stress on the other cable, leading to its eventual failure. Not only that, but other garage door parts also suffer, such as the tracks and springs. You should have your garage door cable repair in Vancouver done as soon as you see they have snapped.
Signs of a Problematic Garage Door Cable
Cables typically go unnoticed by homeowners until a problem arises. Problematic cables are not always obvious, however. In some cases, the damage can get to the point where it causes greater issues with the door, such as another part failure or a complete malfunction of the door. Performing a visual inspection is usually enough to know if a cable will fail in the near future.
Here are some common signs that reveal you need garage door cable repair in Vancouver:
- Fraying on the cable
- Rust or corrosion
- Excessive wear to the surface of the cable
- Wire or cable hanging from your garage door
Cables Slipping Off Their Drum
Not all cable problems require a replacement. Instead, they may need to be placed back on their drum. Cables are capable of slipping off their drum or pulley. When this occurs, you need a professional garage door technician in Portland to handle the realignment of your cables. To avoid further problems with your garage door cables, ensure you hire a trained and experienced professional like Thunder Garage Door & Locksmith Services. We’ll assist you in garage door cable repair in Vancouver and prevent the problem from occurring again.
Here are a few reasons as to why you need garage door cable repair in Vancouver:
- Auto-reverse function fails
- Poorly adjusted springs
- Wrong springs installed
- Broken or damaged spring
- Incorrect pairing of cables and drums
- Clogged tracks
What to Do About a Broken Cable
If you notice you have any of the signs above, you should contact Thunder Garage Door & Locksmith Services immediately for garage door cable repair in Vancouver. Our garage door technician Portland recommends you not to use the garage door until the cable is replaced. Attempting to use your garage door with a broken cable can lead to the other cable failing or another part sustaining damage. You want to avoid any further costs as much as possible. Our garage door technician in Portland can respond to your emergency the same day and replace both sets of cables. When one cable fails, we recommend replacing both because the other is likely in a similar condition.
Why Do Garage Door Cables Break?
Like every other part of your garage door, your cables move each time you open and close the door. Cables can easily gather moisture and slowly wear over time. This slow deterioration can eventually lead to fraying or breaking of the cable. Another cause of cable damage is their constant friction against other parts of the garage door. As the cable rubs against surfaces, it can deteriorate the door at a faster rate. No matter the cause of your cable failure, contact Thunder Garage Door & Locksmith Services for your garage door cable repair in Vancouver.
What causes garage door cables to come off?
Garage door cables fall off their drum for one of two reasons: slack within the cables or the cables breaking. Slack within the cables is typically caused by user error or installation. As for the cables breaking, it’s usually contributed to age or corrosion.
Can I open a garage door with a broken cable?
You can open your garage door manually with a broken cable, but we advise against this. The garage door cables assist in the lifting and holding of the door while opening, so the door will be heavier than normal. Instead, contact our team for immediate garage door cable repair.
How long should garage door cables be?
The length of standard residential garage door cables should be the height of the door plus 18 inches. However, the cables will come with a new garage door. For replacement cables, we recommend hiring our team for replacement services.