Has your garage door started to make an unusual noise when it is opening? Is the door not moving like it used to?
You inspect the motor and springs like you usually do but they appear to be functioning as normal. You try to think of what else could be the problem, but you draw a blank. Are the noises in your head?! The whole situation is really starting to frustrate you because you just can’t figure out why the noise is happening.
Don’t be discouraged- a garage door system is very complicated if you do not have experience in the area. There are several types of hardware that all concurrently work together and if one thing breaks, the whole system is going to go down.
However, before you tackle repairing any of those individual parts, you need to know what the function of each part is and where they are located in your garage.
Once you know how each part of your garage door assists in the overall functioning of the door, you will be able to determine which part is broken.
Do You Know What Are the 2 Main Garage Door Hardware Systems and How They Work?
Cables
The cables are located on each side of the garage door and work in unison with the springs to help counterbalance the weight of the door. The cables help the door lift smoothly up and down. That’s why they are called lift cables.
It is essential NOT TO CONFUSE lift and safety cables!
Safety cables are used for extension springs to prevent injury from happening if the spring ever snaps since springs can pose terrible danger for anything around them if they ever break.
Springs
There are two types of springs - torsions and extension springs - that can be used depending on the size of your garage door and the amount of room that is available. Each spring performs differently and is vital in understanding how your garage door operates.
Torsion springs
Located on a steel pole above the opening of the garage door, you will find torsion springs. Either one or two springs will be present depending on the weight and size of the door. These springs offer a quieter noise and more safety compared to extension springs.
Safety cables are not necessary for torsion springs, unlike extension springs, due to a special feature - a metal rod that is located in the center of the springs. On each side of the rod are drums. The cables wrap around the drums during the opening of the door. The opposite side of the cables are connected to brackets on the bottom of the garage door.
Built up tension is released when the door opens. The spring begins to unravel, and the door lifts open. The springs contract when the door is closed and, again, stores tension for when the door needs to open.
Extension springs
Extension springs are used for smaller doors when there is not a lot of space above the door. Cables travel through pulleys from the bottom brackets of the door to then connect to the springs.
Each spring is placed over the horizontal tracks that the door moves along to allow for harmonized operation. The springs stretch to a maximum when the door is closed which, in turn, builds up tension for when the door has to open. This is why extension springs are also called stretch springs.
Safety cables are essential to install with extension springs because of the constant pressure that is created with the springs. When an extension spring breaks, it could fiercely shatter and cause a lot of damage.
Torsion (on the left) and extension springs (on the right) look the same but function differently.
Now that you may have figured out which part of your garage door system needs to be replaced, we highly recommend buying your replacement parts from a garage door specialist. This will ensure that you receive high-quality and durable components.
The Signs You Should Watch to Know When to Replace Your Garage Door Cables
You should replace your cables frequently since they undergo a lot of wear and tear every day due to all the friction caused by the system. Thankfully, there are ways to anticipate this.
Since your garage door is in motion every day, there is constant friction on all the parts. If the door ever becomes misaligned on the track, other parts of the system can suffer from too much friction and begin to deteriorate faster. Frequent inspection is necessary to avoid this.
Another thing to look out for is the build-up of moisture. Moisture can occur if the system is installed in a place with poor insulation, especially if you live in a particularly wet climate. Removing dirt and insects that may be trapped in your cables will keep the cables clean and free of corrosion and rust.
Do you like this look? This garage door is a Cambridge CS Design, 10' x 7', Ice White door and overlays, Clear Panoramic windows.
Preventive maintenance
To prevent expensive emergency repairs, schedule a professional to frequently inspect your garage door. The number of times you need an inspection will depend on how often you use your garage door or the number of cycles per year.
Hire a professional sooner, than later! What may not be visible to you, will be easily visible to a trained eye. Avoid problems getting worse and costing more money in the long run.
When a garage door technician comes for an annual maintenance check, they inspect your garage door system as a whole. They examine each component to ensure they are operating as they should. This reduces deterioration on individual parts and, as we now know, if one part is breaking, the whole system will collapse.
Annual maintenance inspections are paramount. However, you should aim to inspect your cables, springs, and other parts, monthly. To help you with this monthly inspection, we have prepared a checklist for you. This list will help prevent components from breaking and you will be able to maintain your garage door like a pro!
Here are the 5 easy tasks to do monthly:
● Lubricate your hardware
● Clean the tracks
● Follow the manual guide
● Balance your garage door
● Inspect all the parts every month
Why You Should Rely on a Professional to Repair Your Garage Door Cables
While it is possible to fix your garage door cables yourself, it’s best to leave it to the pros. If the tension on the springs ever loses resistance, you can severely injure anyone nearby.
A trained garage door technician will be able to solve your problems and you won’t have to worry about possibly injuring yourself. They have the tools, knowledge, and experience to get the job done.
When in doubt, leave it up to the pros! By fixing the garage door yourself, you may increase damage costs and increase the chances of harming yourself.
Potential hazards associated with do-it-yourself garage door repairs
● Bodily injuries
A garage door can weigh, at the least, 150 pounds or 68 kilograms. Since cables and springs are under consistent tension, if they ever break, that 150-pound door can come crashing down on you.
● Property damages
If your garage door breaks, it may not only damage you, but also any of your possessions that are surrounding the area, your car for example. You will now have to add on the cost of replacing or repairing your damaged possessions to the cost of your even more damaged garage door.
● Thieves
If you end up destructing your garage door more, your home will now be an open invitation to possible intruders with poor intentions.
You like this look? This garage door is a Standard+ North Hatley LP, 9' x 8', Moka Brown, Clear windows.
Contact the Most Seasoned Garage Door Experts Near You
You can trust our certified garage door professionals with any work that needs to be done. During your appointment with them, they will inspect, adjust, and test your whole system.
Our garage door services include maintenance and repair - you can opt to be a part of our annual maintenance program or pay by the hour.
Never stress again about your garage door and have confidence that is safely and smoothly operating all year round with Absolute Door Services!
For any garage door service, contact us now at 1-855-896-9001!
Last, but certainly not least, if you are thinking about replacing your garage door, use our three styles, traditional, modern or carriage house, to find the perfect garage door to match your home exterior. Our specialists can also assist you in choosing the best color, design, and accessories to suit your style while respecting your budget.
If you already know which garage door model you want, why not asking for your free emailed quote?
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