A Homeowner's Guide To Addressing Broken Garage Door Cables
Whether you find yourself stuck inside your garage with a door that will not open or in the drive with no way to get your car inside, broken garage door cables can be a homeowner's headache for sure. You may be tempted to grab a pair of pliers and try to tackle this as a true handyman would, but broken garage door cables are no joke, and require the skilled hands of a professional garage door repair technician. Here are a few of the most common questions concerning a damaged garage door cable.
Is it safe to use the garage door even with broken cables?
The steel cables that are on either side of a torsion-controlled door are designed to provide tension to keep your garage door from slamming closed. Therefore, if the cables are broken, when you close the door, it will come down to the ground with full force unless you are holding back the weight on your own. This may not sound bad, but garage doors can way anywhere between 100 to 400 pounds, depending on its size and material type.
If one cable is broken, how will it affect the operation of the door?
The two-cable suspension system helps to evenly support the weight of the entire door. If one door cable is broken or damaged, it can cause your door to open or close unevenly. If the problem is not addressed, this uneven operation can jam the door or cause damage to the rolling track and hinges. Further, the remaining cable will be supporting the entire weight of the door, which will put a lot of stress on its structure. Therefore, you should not try to continue operating a door that is only supported by one cable.
Why does repair involve much more than just replacing broken cables?
One of things most homeowners are surprised to see is that when a repair professional comes to fix the door, it is not a simple process. Not only will new cables have to be installed, but the contractor will have to spend quite some time determining the problem that caused the breakage in the first place. Otherwise, replacement soon after will be inevitable.
Anytime you have issues with the mechanical components of your garage door it is best to get in touch with a professional (like All Seasons Garage Door). Cables are especially prone to issues if they are not properly installed.