Snap! One Garage Door Cable Down - Do You Replace the Pair?
Your garage door has cables on both sides to lift/lower it. While these cables are durable, they can break with time.
They start to lose tension, fray, and snap.
Did Your Garage Door Cable Break? Here’s What You Should Know About Replacing One or Both
First, while you may want to follow the DIY route, we recommend giving us a call, as there are a few things you need to know before trying to fix it yourself.
Understanding Garage Door Cables
The garage door comprises different cables and works with various types of springs.
You have a lift cable working in garage doors with a torsion spring.
The wires attached to the door’s bottom corners are routed to the torsion spring above the door.
Then, you have retaining cables that work with extension springs.
The cable is inside the springs, running vertically along the door’s left/right sides.
Its purpose is to help prevent the springs from flying everywhere when they break.
These cables have a braided design with several wire strands and can function for years.
Yet, problems can arise, such as a faulty pulley bearing, moisture at the bottom of the door, or a misaligned track.
When you have visual routine inspections, you can prevent cable breaks from happening. So, what should you do if the cable breaks?
Avoid Using Your Garage Door
The frayed cable creates extra stress and severely strains the adjacent cable. It can result in the door lifting unevenly, becoming unbalanced and misaligned.
If you notice a squeaking sound or shaking, the cable has likely snapped. It’s best to avoid using the door until you can have it repaired.
If your garage door remains stuck open due to a broken cable, you must take immediate action.
An open garage door can make your property vulnerable to break-ins.
In such a situation, we recommend cutting the unbroken cable to help lower the door until a professional arrives.
Now, back to the question: should you replace both cables? The answer is yes; our technicians will replace both garage door cables to prevent increased repair costs.
A Note of Warning: When attempting to cut the cable yourself, use extreme caution and ensure several people help lower the door slowly once you have done so.
Why Replace Both Cables?
Replacing both garage door cables when one breaks, even if the other appears intact, is essential. Here’s why:
- Balanced operation: Garage doors rely on the tension and balance of both cables to function correctly.
When replacing a single cable, it’s essential to consider the potential consequences. It can result in uneven operation and may even cause additional damage to the system. - Preventive maintenance: By replacing both cables, you can prevent future problems and ensure the long-term reliability of your garage door.
- Increased safety: A garage door with new, strong cables is less likely to malfunction and pose a safety hazard.
Contact a Professional to Have The Garage Door Cable Repaired
Ottawa Garage Doors & Openers highly recommends contacting a professional to help repair the broken cable.
Many injuries occur each year as people try to fix broken wires themselves.
When you contact us, you can be assured of our expertise, and the repair will include an overall garage door inspection.
We recommend a plan forward if we find problems that lead to wear and tear.
Contact Ottawa Garage Door Today
Whether you suspect a fraying cable or it has already snapped, give us a call now.
Our team will diagnose the situation and have it repaired quickly.
Our team has the skills to determine what is causing your garage door to not open smoothly.
When you encounter any issues, we’re ready to assist you.
Our services include budget-friendly garage door repairs and installations, allowing you to manage possible expenses with confidence.