Cables are one of the most important components of any garage door. Lifter cables make raising and lowering the door possible by transferring the lifting force from the springs to the door itself, while safety cables are designed to prevent the garage door from causing grave injury or damage in case of a catastrophic failure.
Needless to say, keeping your garage door in a good condition includes ensuring the cables are properly wound around the pulley and aren’t worn down. Doing so will help avoid costly and dangerous cable malfunctions, and keep your garage door operating smoothly for longer.
In order to help you keep your cables in good working order, we have compiled a list of 3 telltale signs of damaged garage door cables. Keep reading to learn when it’s time to call a garage door cable repair service in San Diego.
When should garage door cables be replaced?
Since lifter cables carry the entire weight of the door, they’re put under huge amounts of stress every time the door is opened or closed. Not only does the cable gradually fray as it moves over the drum, it’s also exposed to moisture, cold, and heat on a regular basis.
As a result, garage door cables are one of the most often repaired components of a garage door. Luckily, it’s possible to spot the signs of a failing cable long before it snaps or suffers a similarly extreme malfunction.
Here are the top 3 signs of a failing garage door cable:
- Defective bearings can quickly wear down even the highest quality cables. If you hear squeaking or grinding noises while the door is moving, or there are visible marks or damage on the cables themselves, or you detect a slight burning smell, your bearings could be defective.
- Loose cables or cables that are falling down around the door are a clear sign of a cable malfunction. If this happens with your garage door, DO NOT attempt to open it or close it. Instead, call in an emergency garage door repair service ASAP.
- Uneven door alignment can be caused by faulty cables. This can also cause the door to lurch instead of moving smoothly, and let out scraping noises during use.
How do you replace a cable in a garage?
Are you a trained and experienced garage door mechanic? Do you have access to specialized garage door repair and maintenance equipment? If the answer to either of these questions is no, you should never attempt to fix your garage door on your own.
Although modern garage door design and installation adheres to strict safety standards, the reality is that garage doors still weigh in the hundreds of pounds and include components that hold a tremendous amount of energy.
Because of this, a layperson who attempts to fix a garage door risks serious injury or worse. For this reason, it’s always wiser to outsource your garage door repairs to a reputable garage door company.
Where can I find the very finest cable repair service in San Diego?
Is your garage door showing signs of cable damage? Or perhaps you’re looking to fix your old garage door or install a brand new one at your Rolando property? Whatever your garage door-related need may be, rest assured that Dlouhy Doors can solve it in record time.
We’re a family-owned San Diego garage door contractor that offers its clients extremely competitive pricing, fully-stacked service vehicles, 24/7 emergency service, and more than four decades of industry experience.
Get in touch with us today if you’d like to schedule a consultation or ask further questions.