The cables on your garage door play a crucial role in ensuring the safe and efficient raising and lowering of your door system. They prevent your high-tension springs from recoiling sharply, reducing the risk of injuries and damage to you or your vehicle.
However, they can wear out or break over time and require replacement. This makes it necessary to take steps to prevent these problems from occurring in the first place.
Torsion Cable
Cables are a vital part of your Garage Door Cable Repair. They move the door up and down as it is opened and closed by the garage opener.
The cables run through the torsion springs and connect the springs to a drum that uncoils them and lowers or lifts the door. These cables also provide a failsafe in case one or both of the springs break.
Over time these cables can wear out and become weak. This is due to the fact that they rub against your garage door and other hardware.
The best way to prevent a cable from breaking is to have it tensioned properly during installation. When installing the cables on the torsion tube or shaft tighten both set screws at least a half turn to a full turn using a wrench.
Extension Cable
The Extension Cable is used to lower and raise your garage door. These cables work in conjunction with torsion and extension springs to counterbalance the weight of the garage door, making it easier to lift and lower.
If one of these cables breaks, a shockwave of energy can go into the springs and damage them. It is important to regularly inspect these cables and call a professional if any are broken or damaged.
To replace the cable, you will need a ladder, wrenches (3/8, 7/16, and 1/2), winding bars, vice grips, and of course some basic know-how. This project is fairly easy to tackle and can be done in an hour or two.
Safety Cable
The Safety Cable is a crucial part of any garage door. It stops extension springs from recoiling with force, which could cause serious damage to people or vehicles inside the garage.
Garage door cables are made from metal and can deteriorate over time, particularly when they get covered in rust or other debris. They can also break or snap when the garage door is opened and closed.
A broken cable may not be immediately apparent, but it could lead to a garage door that is crooked and unbalanced. In these situations, it is best to call a professional for repair.
If your garage door cable is frayed or kinked, it should be replaced right away. Make sure you remove the cable from the pulley and replace it correctly. This is important because if the new cable travels backward in the pulley, it will twist during operation and reduce its lifespan.
Lubrication
A cable lubricant is the perfect way to keep your garage door cables working properly. It keeps them free from rust and ensures that they stay strong and quiet.
In order to get the best results, you need to find a garage door lubricant that works with your specific type of garage door. It should also be long-lasting and moisture resistant.
The best lubricants for garage doors are silicone-based sprays. These can penetrate through your door’s coiled springs, tight hinges, and other hard-to-penetrate areas.
You’ll also want to choose a lubricant that is compatible with the type of cable you’re pulling. Some work better with fiber-optic cables, while others are ideal for copper or coaxial cable.