Cables are a vital part of garage doors, but like everything else, they have a limited lifespan. Although a lot of hardware problems can be solved, sometimes it’s necessary to simply replace old and frayed cables with new, stronger ones.
Determining the right time to do this can be tricky, which is why more and more people prefer to leave this task to the professionals in San Diego who specialize in garage door cable repairs. In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to determine whether your garage door cables are in need of replacement. Read on to find out!
Can garage door cables be replaced?
Although there are many cases in which you can fix or adjust cables relatively easily there are situations in which you should obtain a new mechanism. Bearing in mind the life expectancy of garage door cables, you should replace them at least every 8 years. The nature of the material that cables are made of makes them prone to wear and tear. While proper maintenance can postpone the replacement, you still can’t avoid it.
When should I replace my garage door cable?
Inspection is one of the things that you should do if your garage door cable breaks. Examining cables annually will enable you to detect malfunctions. You should consider replacing the cables if you notice one of the following problems:
A cable has snapped or broken
Cables can break because of natural wear and tear, overuse, or some accident. Cables bear the weight and tension of garage doors and enable seamless opening and closing. When the wires snap the door becomes unbalanced and manual or automatic operation becomes impossible. As a consequence the door can slam shut because of a sudden release of tension causing injuries or damage. To prevent the door from falling, replace the broken cables immediately.
Cables have lost tension
Broken springs create additional tension on cables. The spring that has too much or too little tension can cause the cable to come off the drum which makes the garage door heavier and more difficult to lift. Don’t try to lift the door with the automatic opener because the motor can burn out. Unbalanced tension between the cables can lead to serious malfunction. If you notice loose cables, call the professionals to inspect and replace the cables.
Fraying
Fraying is one of the signs of a broken garage door cable. The remaining wires that haven’t become worn out can snap and cause the door to collapse or get stuck halfway during opening. Damaged cables require extra force to lift the door. This can strip the internal nylon drive gear, jeopardize your safety, and make the repair more costly.
Unwound cables
Loose cables can impair the functioning of the cable drum assembly. Corrosion, broken springs, and wrong use can lead to slacks in the cables which is why they come off the drums. Loose cables cause the door to move unevenly. Although you may solve this problem by tightening the adjustment screws, overdoing it can put a strain on other components, which is why you should leave this to specialists.
Who can I count on in San Diego to provide reliable garage door cable repairs?
Regardless of how much effort you put into garage door maintenance or how quickly you respond to malfunction, some issues are beyond repair. If you need a trustworthy partner to replace your garage door cables, you need to look no further than Dlouhy Doors.
Our dedicated and experienced experts use cutting-edge technology and provide a thorough inspection and efficient replacement. Go to Seaport Village for a shopping spree while we reinforce your garage door with new parts. Contact us today!