How to Fix a Broken Garage Door Cable
Your garage door raises and lowers using a set of tension cables. When it’s operating correctly, springs in the cable assembly remove any slack and allow the door to move easily. If you run into problems with your cables, your garage door may be stuck in one position or unable to open.
What is a Garage Door Cable?
Garage door cable is usually between 7 and 10 feet long, and made of thin wires that have been wrapped together and galvanized. Cabling doesn’t need to be thick to be strong – most cables are 1/8th of an inch in diameter. Depending on whether your door operates with a torsion spring or extension springs, you will need different types of cables.
Common Garage Door Cable Issues
You don’t want to deal with a broken garage door at the end of a long day. Any problems can cause frustration, but these are some of the most common symptoms of broken garage door cables specifically:
- No movement: A loose or detached cable triggers a safety mechanism that prevents the door from moving. Broken springs and obstructions in the track can also cause this problem.
- Uneven movement: When the garage door slants up on one side, the cables may be misaligned. You can physically see the issue when examining the rails.
- Fast movement: You don’t want this heavy assembly opening or closing too quickly. A broken cable or spring results in the other opener parts shouldering the entire weight of the door.
- Inability to close or open completely: Cables that are out of track or have too much tension can’t use the full range of motion.
Easy Garage Door Cable Repair
Garage door cable repair processes are typically straightforward. The easiest fixes involve replacing cables or springs, fixing the tracks or adjusting the tension. The challenge comes from the tension held by the springs and the garage door’s weight.
Don’t attempt to service these problems by yourself because you face a high risk of being injured. The garage door cables may keep you safe when they’re fully functional, but there’s no guarantee they can control the door if they’re not working properly.
Get help from a technician experienced with handling broken garage door cables. With professional assistance, you can get your garage door repaired by experienced technicians, avoid potential injury, and you don’t have to waste your time on trial-and-error solutions. If you think your garage door has a broken or malfunctioning cable, schedule an inspection with Hill Country Overhead Door.