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Ever find yourself in a situation where you have a snapped garage door cable problem at hand and have no idea exactly what to do?
If you have, then this article is perfect for you.
In this article, we will be telling you the different things you need to know about broken garage door cables, how you can spot them accordingly, and what you can do if ever you find yourself in a situation such as this.
So sit back, relax, and let us find out together all there is to know about broken garage door cables.
What is a garage door cable?
Garage door cables are parts of your garage doors that can be found on both sides of the garage door.
Together with your garage door springs, they make lifting open and close your garage doors easy to do.
Its primary function is to make sure that the tension stored on the springs is reduced to some amount allowing you to extend further the lifespan of your garage door springs.
Because of this, garage door cables are generally made from durable materials that can withstand wear and tear.
However, just like every other component of your garage door, your cables have their own expiration dates as well.
Now, there are two different types of garage door cables depending on what they are supporting and these are lifting cables and retaining cables.
Understanding the main difference between these two types of cables is extremely important especially when doing garage door repairs.
How to tell if you have a broken garage door cable
A broken garage door cable can be especially dangerous most definitely if it is left unattended as it can break down on you almost anytime.
Fortunately for you, there are tell-tale signs and symptoms that will give you the idea that your garage door cables are starting to deteriorate in condition.
To help you out, here are three of the most common signs that will definitely tell you that there is probably something wrong with your garage door cables, or generally, with your garage doors.
- Loud and squeaky noises
- Hard to open garage doors
- Unbalanced garage doors
If you are experiencing any of these three, then there is an off chance that your overhead garage doors have already snapped or are about to snap on you.
Understanding why garage door cables break
The first thing you should do if ever you do find yourself in a situation like this is to understand what is causing your garage door cables to break down.
Doing so will allow you to implement preventive measures for the future and as well as give you the knowledge on how to deal with your broken garage door cables.
Without further ado, here are the most common reasons for your snapped garage door cable.
- Wear and Tear: Over time, your garage doors will eventually wear out on you. Although they are made to last longer, this does not mean that they do not have an expiration date.
- Rusting: Your cables are made up of several fibers of galvanized wire which means that they can rust when exposed to moisture. Moisture forms easily especially during cold weather and temperature levels resulting in rust forming on your garage doors.
- Unbearable Load: Another possibility for this occurrence is when your other garage door parts break down on you, resulting in your cables being subjected to an even greater load than it already is.
How to prevent your garage door cables from breaking down on you
Although there is no sure-fire way or solution with regards to your cable problem, there are some things you can do to delay it from happening.
Now that you know exactly why your garage door cables are snapping on you, it is easier to create a solution that will address each of these problems accordingly.
Doing so will help you avoid having to face sudden breakdowns and the like.
If you are interested, here are some precautionary measures you can do in order to prolong your garage door cable’s lifespan.
1. Proper Maintenance
The easiest thing to do in order to ensure that your garage door cables or your garage door, in general, last longer than they normally should is to have it maintained regularly and from time to time.
Regular maintenance activities can go a long way, especially with your overhead garage doors.
Maintenance, after all, allows you to identify and predict future problems with your garage door, prevent these problems from happening, replace unrepairable parts and components before they breakdown, and ensure that your homes are well protected all the time.
Maintenance can be done by yourself, most especially the simple ones, however, if you wish to give your garage door general maintenance, then it is best to contact the closest garage door repair company near you most especially if you have no idea what to do during maintenance.
This is recommended so as to prevent exposing yourself to unwanted and unnecessary dangers of dealing with your overhead garage doors.
2. Lubricating your garage door parts
Another thing you can do is to make sure that your garage door’s different components are well oiled or lubricated, most especially the moving parts.
Lubricating your garage doors prevents rust from settling on your door and its different component’s surfaces ensuring that your garage door lasts longer compared to that with no lubrication at all.
Aside from that, it also smoothens the operation of your garage doors, allowing fluidity and efficient functions all around.
3. Regularly replacing old parts
As previously mentioned, your garage door and its different parts have their own expiration dates where it is expected to deteriorate in performance and the like.
In order to avoid any issues in relation to this, since you have a general idea as to how long each component should last, then make sure to keep track of it and once it is closing its expiry date, have it replaced accordingly.
Do not wait for it to show signs of breaking down and instead have it replaced yourself or contact a professional garage door repair technician to help you out with the job.
Conclusion
No one wants to deal with a broken garage door – no matter what the reason or cause it may be.
Dealing with broken garage door cables can be dangerous and difficult to do especially to someone new to it.
If you find yourself with broken garage door cables and you feel as if your experience is not enough in order to deal with it properly, and then ask for professional help around you.
If you live in Pittsburgh and are looking for a garage door repair company near you that can help you out with your snapped garage door cable problem, then we might just have what you are looking for.
Marksman Garage Doors is a garage door repair company in Pittsburgh that has been providing all of its residents with quality services that are made to last.
If you are looking for a reliable garage door repair service in the area, then this is the best you can get.
Know more about our different rates and services by giving us a call or visiting us at our main office in Pittsburgh.
Give us a try, who knows, you might just like what you hear.
Contact us now!
