A local household in East Moline, IL, called Titan Garage Doors Quad Cities for garage door repair. The client’s garage door experienced a problem in the middle of the operation and got stuck unevenly, so they immediately called for assistance out of concern for their safety. When we got there, we discovered that one of the cables had been damaged. Further examination revealed that the cables’ rust and corrosion were the primary causes of their breakdown. After realigning the garage door and replacing the cables, we completed the job, and the door operation returned to normal. The client expressed their gratitude for being able to continue working that day because of our quick garage door cable replacement service and prompt response.

It is important to keep the cables in good condition if you have a garage door. If they become loose or damaged, the door will not work properly. Likewise, setting the door down on something can cause the cables to become detached from the drums or pulleys. Rust, damaged springs, and incorrect tension are some other common causes of problems with garage door cables.

Cables and springs under high tension produce a force used to lift heavy garage doors. If these cables are loose or broken, the door will not be able to open or close properly. It can result in the door becoming stuck halfway open or closed or even falling off entirely.

The Purpose of Garage Door Cables

The torsion springs or extension springs’ lifting force is transferred via cables to the bottom brackets of your door. These cables allow your door to be counterbalanced and open and close smoothly. Over time, however, these cables can become worn or frayed, which can cause your door to operate less efficiently.

Types of Garage Door Cables

Lift Cables

These cables wrap around the drums or sheaves and are fastened to the bottom fixture brackets on either door side. Sheaves are utilized for extension spring systems, and cable drums are used for torsion spring systems.

Retaining Cables 

Retaining cables are inserted through the extension springs’ hollow interior. These safety cables stop the shattered spring parts from flying off and striking people or items (such as a vehicle) within the garage if your springs break. Torsion springs do not require retaining cables because they are fastened to a shaft or tube.

Why Do Garage Door Cables Break?

Three main causes of damage to cables include rubbing against another metal component, corrosion, and abrupt dips in the opening caused by a broken spring. Cables are designed to be strong and can have a breaking strength of more than 1,000 lbs., but they can still be damaged if not properly maintained. 

Cables and wires will inevitably weaken if they are constantly exposed to water or salt, which causes corrosion, or to other metal objects, which leads to fraying. So even if they are rated very strong, it would not matter if the wires have been weakened. 

A sudden cable failure could result in your garage door rapidly falling if the springs fail when the door is open. To prevent this, regularly check your garage door hardware for any signs of wear and tear.

Is It Possible to Open the Garage Door with a Broken or Sagging Cable?

There is much tension on either door side when the cables are tight. If one side were to break or come loose, that tension would be transferred to the other. It can be risky to open or close the door with slack cables because the door could collapse if the remaining cable breaks or gets stuck halfway through.

Instead of using your garage door opener, try a different way around the problem. The extra power needed to lift the door could strip the nylon drive gear inside. So instead, install vice grips on both vertical tracks to prevent the door from possibly falling and injuring someone. That will hold the door in place if you need to cut the cables or unplug the opener (red release cord).

Is your garage door in need of repair? Or are you looking to replace an old, outdated door with a brand new one? Titan Garage Doors Quad Cities can help. We offer quick and efficient service to the Quad Cities areas, including Galesburg, IL, Moline, IL, and Rock Island, IL. So whether you need a simple repair or a complete replacement, we are here to help. 

As one of Quad Cities’ top garage door service companies, we offer highly competitive rates, fully stocked service vans, round-the-clock emergency assistance, and more than ten years of industry experience. Please call us today if you want to arrange a consultation or get free estimates. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs and help you choose the best garage door solution for your home or business.

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Titan Garage Doors Quad Cities
https://titangaragedoorsdesmoines.com/
(309) 808-7181
Open Daily 7AM – 7PM
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