The springs and cables on your garage door control the tension and motion of the door. Often times, garage door cables will break or fray, leaving your garage door in a precarious position. If you find your garage door sitting halfway up and at an unusual angle, don’t try to fix it unless you are confident that you know what you are doing and can tackle the job safely. Many things can go wrong while replacing garage door parts that can result in personal injury or property damage.
Types of Garage Door Cables
Before installing new garage door cables, homeowners must consider the type of cables required for the job. Here are the three basic types of cables:
- Torsion cables: These cables have a loop at the end that is attached to the bottom of the door with a crimped stop at the other end. These cables have to be attached and wound in a very specific manner. In addition, each door height requires a specific length of cable.
- Extension spring door cables: These cables are used on doors that have springs located at the sides of the track.
- Safety cables: Safety cables are used in conjunction with extension spring systems. This type of cable is attached at each end and is threaded through the extension spring. In the event of a spring failure, the safety cable contains both broken ends of the spring, ensuring that they don’t fly at high speed through your garage.
At Precision Door Service of Virginia Beach, VA, we often see garage doors where the extension springs have been replaced, but the safety cables have not. This is very dangerous and could cause serious injury.
Whatever type of cable you install, it is essential that the tension on each side of the door is equal to ensure both smooth operation and proper alignment.
Professional Assessment
Garage doors may seem like simple machines, but they contain many moving parts and require multiple adjustments to work properly. If you think your garage door’s cables are damaged or frayed, you can turn to the expert technicians at Precision Door Service, who can make correct repairs quickly and safely. Trust our experienced team to provide excellent service and keep your garage door operating worry-free.
Contact Us
Whether you need brand-new garage door cables or replacement springs, contact Precision Door Service of Virginia Beach, VA, also serving Hampton Roads, VA, to get your garage door back into perfect working order.