The Importance of Garage Door Cables
Garage door cables do a lot of the heavy lifting (literally) when it comes to operating your garage door. These strong, tightly wound wires work alongside the springs to help open and close your garage door smoothly and safely. When a cable snaps, everything comes to a halt. Your door might tilt, jam, or stop moving completely.
Living in Utah, with its snowy winters and dry summers, your garage door cables go through quite a bit. Exposure to moisture, dirt, and fluctuating temperatures naturally wears them down over time. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to any signs that your cable might be on its last leg.
Signs Your Garage Door Cable is Failing
1. The Door Is Crooked
A lopsided garage door usually means one of the garage door cables snapped, or is about to.
2. You Hear Strange Noises
Grinding or popping sounds often point to a worn-out cable drum or fraying cables.
3. The Door Doesn’t Open All the Way
If your garage door starts moving but then stalls or stops, it could be a tension issue caused by a broken garage door cable.
Keep in mind that several of these signs can also point to a broken garage door spring, which is part of the same system as the cables. Attempting to repair either of these garage door issues on your own can put you at risk for injury, so please call a garage door repair service near you to receive help with your garage door system.
Common Reasons Garage Door Cables Break
Garage door cables don’t last forever. Here are a few reasons they fail:
- Wear and Tear: The garage door constantly lifting and lowering puts stress on the cables over time. This is normal wear, but keep an eye on it.
- Rust or Corrosion: Utah’s road salt and winter moisture can cause almost any metal component to rust, including your garage door cables.
- Poor Installation: Improper tension or alignment during installation can reduce the lifespan of your cables.
- Old Age: Like any garage door part, cables eventually wear out over time.
How to Handle a Broken Garage Door Cable
1. Stop Using the Door
First things first: don’t try to force the garage door open or closed. It can worsen the damage or cause injury to you and anyone nearby. Just stop using the door altogether until a professional fix can be done.
2. Don’t DIY It
Changing garage door cables might look doable, but it’s tricky and risky. Garage doors are under high tension. You could get seriously hurt if you’re not trained. We strongly recommend contacting your local garage door company for professional repair.
3. Call the Experts
Please contact a professional like A Plus Garage Doors. We offer cable repair across Utah and parts of Nevada, and our techs are trained to handle this job safely. And if you’re stuck with an open garage door that puts your home’s safety at risk, we offer emergency garage door repair with quick response.Â
What’s Involved in Garage Door Cable Repair?
When you call in the garage door specialists at A Plus Garage Doors, here’s what usually happens:
- Inspection: We’ll check the entire garage door system.
- Replacement: We’ll swap out the broken cables with durable, high-quality ones.
- Adjustment: Tension needs to be just right. We’ll get it there.
- Testing: We won’t leave until everything’s running smoothly again.
Garage Door Cable Repair Cost: What to Expect
Every job is a little different, but garage door cable repair cost typically ranges from $150 to $300 in Utah. It depends on the type of door, how many cables need replacing, and whether other parts like the springs or cable drum also need attention.
When to Consider Garage Door Cable Replacement
If your cables are more than 5 to 7 years old, showing visible signs of rust, or your garage door is moving unevenly, it’s time to start thinking about full cable replacement. Frequent problems are often a sign your system is wearing out as a whole.
Why Choose A Plus Garage Doors?
We’re part of your neighborhood. With locations across Utah and in Nevada, we understand local weather conditions and how they affect your garage door systems. A Plus offers:
- Residential & commercial garage door services
- Emergency garage door repair
- Custom garage door design
- Professional garage door installation
We’re known for showing up on time, doing the job right, and treating customers like family.
Quick Tips to Make Garage Door Cables Last Longer
1. Keep It Clean
Dust and dirt wear things down faster. Use a dry cloth to wipe your cables now and then.
2. Schedule Annual Maintenance
One of the best ways to prevent a snapped cable is by having your door inspected every year. A Plus offers scheduled garage door tune-ups to keep everything running smoothly.
3. Don’t Ignore Small Problems
If the door sounds off or feels jerky, call a pro. It’s easier (and cheaper) to fix a minor issue than to wait until the cable breaks.
Contact A Plus Garage Doors Today
If you’re dealing with a broken garage door cable or just want peace of mind, reach out to A Plus Garage Doors. We’ll send a friendly, skilled tech to take a look and get your system back in shape quickly and safely.
Whether you’re in northern Utah, southern Utah, or Las Vegas, we’ve got you covered.
FAQs About Garage Door Cables
At A Plus Garage Doors, we believe in educating our customers to the best of our ability so you can make confident decisions about your garage door. Keep reading to find our answers to the most common questions we get about cables.
