One of the common garage door issues involves garage door cables. Garage doors use cables for different reasons. There is a lift cable that provides balance to the door. There is another retaining cable that prevents extension springs from falling. Here are some common garage door cable problems.
Broken Cables
The garage door cables move every time you open and close the door. Over time the cables wear out because of constant use or moisture accumulation at the bottom of the door. If there is a pulley with faulty bearings, it will also speed up the deterioration.
Another reason for broken cables is when the door is out of alignment. In such a situation, the cable keeps rubbing on the track and other items, contributing to its wear and tear. It is advisable to have the cables inspected regularly so that you can replace them before they fail. At the first sign of a broken cable, like corrosion and excessive wear, do not use the door. You should call a garage door repair service to fix the issue immediately.
Frayed Cables
The garage door cables, pulleys, and springs do the heavy lifting when you are operating the door. When a cable is frayed, the door is slanted or unbalanced. You will notice that the wires are broken and the cables are separated.
Another sign of a frayed cable is when you notice that the door slams closed frequently. Other signs of frayed cables include when the garage door does not open or close completely and when the door does not move at all. The solution to this problem is replacing the frayed cables.
Rust on Cables
Another common garage door repair issue is rust. If there is rust or oxidation on the door cables, you should replace the cables. The rust or oxidation is a weak spot that will, over time, cause the cables to break.
The best way to prevent rust on cables is to spray them at least once a year. Use a garage door spray lube to spray the cables. Regular garage door maintenance can also prevent rust and oxidation from forming on the door's cables.
In Conclusion
Garage door cables are crucial garage door components that affect the opening and closing of garage doors. You should ensure the cables are checked periodically for breakage, fraying, and rust buildup. It is advisable to have garage door service companies perform maintenance annually so that any cable issues are detected and fixed in time.
Hi there, I am Mel Phillips. Welcome to my website about garage door repair. There are many things that can go wrong with garage doors when they enter a dire state of disrepair. You can hire a repair expert to service your garage door on a regular basis to keep those problems at bay. Your garage door repair expert will assess the condition of your garage door and its related components to create a service plan. On this site, I will share the tools and techniques used to inspect and repair garage doors. Please come back again soon to learn more about this topic.