Heavy-duty cables play an important role in keeping your garage opening and closing properly. Cables prevent the high-tension springs in your garage door from recoiling and assist with the smooth operation of your overall system. They are essential from both a safety and an operational standpoint.
While engineered to be trouble-free, like any moving component, garage door cables do require routine maintenance. Knowing how to identify damage early can mean the difference between a quick and easy repair, and an accident with potentially catastrophic consequences.
The Pacific Northwest’s Garage Door Maintenance Experts
TF Draper is a longstanding provider of residential and commercial garage door service in the Pacific Northwest. Based in Forest Grove, OR, we work with customers in Portland, Vancouver, West Linn, Lake Oswego and beyond. We are qualified to install and repair products by Clopay® and other leading manufacturers. Our technicians receive extensive training to solve the maintenance challenges present in both homes and high-traffic commercial facilities.
We offer garage door cable inspections and repairs as part of routine preventative maintenance and emergency service. Our technicians know what to look for and how to replace a damaged cable safely. We also provide expert advice and can recommend the best replacement component for your needs and budget.
Garage Door Cable Warning Signs
A garage door is a complex, demanding system and, as a result, cables can malfunction or wear out over time. Some commonly encountered garage cable issues include damage to the pulley mechanism or incorrect winding around the drum, causing the door to catch. Sometimes, the cable can become completely unwound. Rust and fraying are also persistent issues as cables age.
Be on the lookout for these problems as well as general signs of garage door malfunctioning, including screeching and erratic opening and closing. If you suspect something is wrong, call TF Draper to arrange an inspection at the soonest available time.
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance
The best way to avoid an issue with your cables — or with any other part of your garage door — is to invest in regular preventative maintenance. We recommend scheduling a check-up at least once a year. In commercial facility and homes where the garage door is opened and closed multiple times a day, more frequent maintenance may be required.
Preventative maintenance gives our technicians the opportunity to test and visually inspect your garage door’s cable and pulley system. We can identify signs of a problem early on and recommend corrective service that prevents the need for emergency repairs. Sometimes, a minor adjustment is all that is required.
The Dangers of DIY
There are several things you can do on your own to keep your garage door working its best. Lubricating the tracks and rollers, and keeping hardware clean and rust-free are all easy and require little time and money. However, you should never attempt to service your door’s cables and springs on your own. These components are under extremely high tensions — a wrong move can cause them to snap, potentially injuring you, or worse.
An experienced garage door repair technician can service your springs and cables properly. At TF Draper, our team members receive ongoing training and have all the tools they need to work safely and get the job done right.
Contact TF Draper for Assistance Today
If your garage door cables are damaged or if you suspect they’re on the verge of breaking, the best thing you can do is to call TF Draper right away. Don’t attempt to open the door or correct the problem on your own. Instead, get in touch using our 24-hour emergency service number, and we’ll send a team member to your location as soon as possible.
