Snapped garage door cable? You’re probably looking at an immediate trip to the hardware store and a hefty bill for repairs. Not to mention the headache you’re about to have if you need a new cable that’s not readily stocked. You’re not out of luck, though – the Garage Door Doctor is here to help.
What Do Garage Door Cables Do?
There’s more going on inside the garage than meets the eye. Your garage door cables counterbalance the garage door as you open and close it. The cable runs through the pulley at the top of the garage door. The other end of the cable connects to a spring at an angle, and it pulls up on the door when you let go of it. The spring takes over and eventually releases tension as the garage door opens completely.
How Can A Garage Door Cable Snap?
Because the cables are handling the hundreds of pounds of weight of your garage door, they can wear out over time. Also, an improperly adjusted garage door cable can snap, or break entirely. Other reasons include a pulley that has worn out, wear due to thermal stress and fluctuation throughout the day, rust, and corrosion.
While your garage door cable has a steel construction, it is also elastic. It stretches over time but doesn’t break easily. If you maintain your cables properly, then snapping is an unlikely occurrence. That said, it can still happen without any warning signs if you don’t keep up to date with inspections or have always run the cables slightly too long for your garage door size.
What Are The Signs Of A Snapped Garage Door Cable?
There are a few common signs of a snapped garage door cable, such as:
- The door getting stuck in a single position
- Loud noises from the garage door as it moves up or down
- Uneven door movement during opening or closing
If you suspect you have a snapped garage door cable, call a professional garage door company in Houston, TX immediately. Using your garage door with a broken cable can put you at risk of injury or harm.
Can I Open My Garage Door With A Broken Cable?
Although it is possible to open a garage door if your cables snap, it isn’t recommended. However, if you need to open your garage door in an emergency, use the following steps:
- Disconnect your garage door opener from the door using the emergency release cord
- Use the handle at the bottom of the door to manually open it
- Hold the door open in place using a vice grip or clamp
Take note, though, that your garage door is quite heavy and can cause damage or injury with negligent handling. The cable can also break completely at any time and cause serious harm to you or anyone else nearby. It’s better to be safe than sorry – call a professional garage door company in Houston, TX immediately.
Garage Door Doctor is your local, family-owned-and-operated installation and repair provider for garage doors and garage door openers. We offer quality work for an honest, fair price. Also, we have over 75 years of combined experience in the business. On top of that, we’re fully insured for your protection. So, if your garage door is giving you trouble or you need help programming your garage door opener, give us a call at (281) 855-9300. We’ll be right on our way!
