Titan Garage Door Cable Replacement and Repair Services

Your overhead garage door is a complex piece of machinery. It consists of a number of different parts that all need to work together, and each component is crucial for the smooth operation of the door. The cables play an integral role in the functionality of your overhead door. They work with the door springs to raise and lower the door. As the door opens and closes the cables unwind and rewind around a drum or drums. When the cables break or if they are out of alignment, your door will not function.

Almost all commercial and residential garage doors operate with a seven to 10-foot length of cable that carries the entire weight of the door. Garage door cables are made from dozens of small diameter wires wound together into a thin rope. It is this wire rope that gives the cable its strength, along with the capacity to maintain tension. When you consider that most overhead door cables are only about one-eighth of an inch in diameter, it is really quite remarkable.

Garage Door Cables and Garage Door Cable Repair

The role of the cables in the garage door mechanism is to lift the garage door. The cables are made out of steel, and they come in different sizes.

What are garage door cables?

The garage door cable can be described as a rope that is constructed from several metal strands; each strand is often composed of several metal wires. The number of strands in a cable is essential because cables are the ones that play a significant role in lifting the garage door. So, your garage door will have a set of cables with a particular number of strands. The garage door spring creates the torque force, which is then transferred through the cables to the cable drum and the cable drum transforms it to the lifting force.

Having the right kind of cables, having the cables in good condition and properly adjusted is the key to a balanced garage door (and a balanced garage door is a happy garage door).

How do garage cables work?

Cables are usually attached to the bottom of the garage door through bottom fixture, they are also attached to the cable drums, into which they wind as the door opens, as the door closes they unwind. Because cables are the ones that lift the door, and because of the way this mechanism is constructed, the two cables must be of the same length for the door to function correctly.

The cables are often being attached to the garage door in a certain manner, which is creating a loop around a pin on the bottom bracket of the door. This loop must be of a certain size to support the door’s proper function. The cables also must have appropriate weight capacity to support to the door’s weight.

Few words about the cable drums:

Garage door springs generate a force called torque, which is then converted to a force that lifts the garage door up and down; this is being done by the cable drums. Cable drums come in a pair; they are often made from cast iron. The types of drums vary since there are different types of garage door lift types. The drums are secured to the shaft with set screws. Interestingly, there are left and right drums in a pair, and they must be installed on the proper side to work correctly. The drums are often colour-coded, but the colour codes may vary, most often the colors are red and black.

What to do if a garage door cable snapped?

If the cable has snapped, it must be replaced. Moreover, as a part that comes in a pair, the garage door cables are to be changed simultaneously even if only one of the cables is broken. Changing both of your cables will prevent your older cable from breaking sooner and causing a similar situation. It is advised that cable installation will be done by a professional garage door technician since it must be cables that are right for your door, and your door will only benefit from a proper installation. In addition, the cables are part of the counterbalance system which can be very dangerous if handled without the right knowledge and experience.

What to do if a garage door cable came off the drum?

You can try and return your cable back on the drum, but it is advised that you use a professional garage door technician’s service. If the cable has come off, it often means it needs to be adjusted, and not only the cables have to be the same length, but they also must be a certain length that is the right length for your door type. It will also be a good idea to make sure your door is balanced since it was working for an unknown length of period with its cables being misaligned.

Garage door maintenance:

Unfortunately, we cannot prevent garage door parts from breaking, but we can prolong their lifespan and replace them in time to prevent them from breaking unexpectedly.

With time garage door springs weaken and lose tension which can result in a loose cable that is likely to come off the drum. This is especially true for most wooden garage doors since their weight fluctuates throughout the season because wood absorbs moisture. A cable that is not aligned well is more likely to snap or come off the drum. Having your door inspected at least once a year can save you a lot of trouble and a few dollars in the long term.

It is also a good idea to visually inspect your garage door, springs, and cables; since those parts are made from steel. An excessive amount of rust on your cables or springs may be a sign that they are reaching the end of their lifespan. It is a good idea to consult your garage door technician regarding your cables and spring replacement. A friendly and knowledgeable garage door technician will be more than happy to advise you on how to take good care of your cables and your garage door.

Why Call the Professionals?

There are two common types of garage door cable in use today: cables used with torsion springs and cables used with extension springs. It’s important not to attempt to repair a damaged or broken cable or garage door safety cable yourself. There’s a lot of room for error, and the potential for accidents is very real. Instead, call the professionals. Remember, the cables hold the entire weight of the garage door, and ensure it operates smoothly.

When a cable is broken or frayed it poses a safety risk to you and your family, not to mention your vehicle. Torsion spring cables, in particular, need special care as the way they are wound and secured needs to be specific and precise. Our fully qualified and insured technicians have the knowledge and the right tools for dealing with any cable job.

Never attempt to cut garage door cables yourself! If you suspect that there may be a problem, you need to contact us as soon as you possibly can. Cutting overhead door cables is a serious task that requires expertise and experience. Also, be aware of cables that have already snapped or fractured as they could cause further damage to your door opener mechanism. This could end up costing you a significant amount of money. Worse than that, the cables could cause personal injury or damage to your property.

Titan Garage Door Repair is Here to Help

Titan Garage Door Repair is an established, local company in the heart of Winnipeg, Manitoba. We’ve provided installation, repair, and maintenance services to thousands of satisfied residential and commercial clients over the past few years. Including our renowned same day service and 24/7 emergency call outs.

Call us any time of the day or night if your garage door cables break.

We repair any and all problems arising from faulty or damaged garage door cables. If your door moves too quickly, for example, this could be a sign that a cable or spring is broken. The door operating unevenly could indicate that your door cables are out of alignment. Or do you have a garage door that won’t move at all? It could be that the entire cabling has become detached from the door or the drum.

Call Titan Today

Our technicians use the most up-to-date equipment to repair or replace your overhead garage door cables. Ask for our same day service, and we’ll disrupt your schedule as little as possible. Call Titan Garage Door Repairs on 204-400-2127 and get a free, no obligation quotation. Always keep our number handy because you never know when you’ll need to take advantage of our emergency call out services.