How Worn Garage Door Cables Lead to Door Failure

We rely on our garage doors more than we realize. For many of us, the day starts by opening the garage door, pulling the car out, and heading to work or maybe dropping the kids off at school. It’s part of the daily routine. But when that routine is interrupted by a malfunctioning garage door, things can quickly become stressful.

You might get late for work, your car could get stuck, and soon you’ll need to call for an emergency garage door service in Elk Grove. 

What most people usually don’t realize is that issues like this often start with damaged garage door cables! They weaken slowly and lose their strength without giving you a proper warning.

But we’re gonna change that! In this blog, we’re gonna tell you exactly how damaged garage door cables cause door failure and what signs you need to look for! This way, you can take the right steps to fix the problem quickly and avoid a sudden garage door failure.

How Do Garage Door Cables Work?

Usually, when the garage door fails, we often blame the springs or the opener. But sometimes it’s the garage door cables that cause the main problem. 

These cables manage the weight and movement of your garage door. And when you open or close the door, the cables help control that weight and keep the movement smooth and safe. 

Garage door cables are extremely important parts of the door, as they –

• Support the full weight of the garage door during operation
• Keep the door balanced so it opens and closes evenly on both sides
• Prevent sudden drops by working together with the spring system

So, when garage door cables start breaking down, the entire door system can become unsafe and unreliable.

Why Do Garage Door Cables Get Damaged?

Garage door cables don’t last forever. They go through a lot of tension, movement, and stress. And over time, they start to break down. 

These are some common reasons why garage door cables get damaged over time –

• Daily use (opening and closing multiple times a day)
• Rust from moisture and humidity
• Metal fatigue from years of use
• Poor installation
• No regular maintenance

Elk Grove’s changing weather can also damage garage door cables quickly. Moisture builds up, rust starts forming, and the cables slowly lose strength over time, causing early garage door cable damage.

How Do Damaged Cables Cause Garage Door Failure?

When your garage door cables start to break down, they slowly lose the strength to safely support the door. Damaged wires, rust buildup, and constant tension weaken the cables over time. And when a cable starts failing, it can snap or slip off the drum. When that happens, your entire garage door system can become unstable.

This is how the door failure starts –

• One cable weakens or breaks: Even if only one cable is damaged, the door immediately loses balance. The system needs to work evenly on both sides, so one weak cable throws everything off.
• The door becomes unbalanced: You may notice the door lifting crooked, moving more slowly on one side, or rubbing against the track. 
• Extra pressure on the springs and opener: When cables can’t do their job, other parts are forced to compensate. Springs stretch beyond their limit, and the opener has to work harder than it should, which shortens their lifespan.
• The door may slam shut without warning: Without proper cable support, the door can drop suddenly. This creates a serious safety risk for people, vehicles, and anything in the door’s path.
• Other parts start failing faster: The imbalance causes damage across the entire system, causing bent tracks, damaged rollers, and costly repairs down the line.

In some cases, you won’t be able to open your garage door at all. In other cases, your door might lift partway and stop or reverse all of a sudden. But the worst case of all is when it drops unexpectedly! That’s why it’s important to call for professional garage door repair in Elk Grove when you suspect damaged cables.

How Can You Know Your Garage Door Cables Are Failing?

If you pay attention to the following signs, you’ll know immediately that your garage door cables need a repair or a replacement.

• The door looks crooked when opening or closing
• One side moves faster than the other
• You hear snapping, grinding, or squealing noises
• The door jerks instead of moving properly
• Visible damage or rust on the cables

If something looks “off,” it probably is. In that case, you need to rely on professional garage door service in Elk Grove for a quick inspection and replacement of the cables!

Book a Garage Door Service Now! Call Us at (916) 387-8664

Questions You May Have About Damaged Garage Door Cables

1. Can Damaged Cables Affect New Garage Doors?

Yes, absolutely. Even the best garage door installation can run into problems if the cables aren’t properly maintained. New garage doors still depend on cables to lift and lower the door safely and evenly. When those cables start failing, the entire system can lose balance.

And when you ignore the damaged cables, it can cause early garage door failure, damage panels, and put more pressure on the opener and springs. That’s why it’s best to call for professional help when your garage door cables get damaged.

2. How Can I Prevent Garage Door Failure Due to Damaged Cables?

You can prevent garage door failure by doing the following –

• Opt for regular professional maintenance to catch the problems early on
• Look for uneven movement, jerking, or strange noises
• Lubricate moving parts regularly to reduce strain
• Avoid DIY cable repairs, as cables are under high tension and a small mistake can cause the door to fall suddenly.

When you notice any signs of damaged cables, you need to call for professional garage door service right away! They can fix the issues immediately and prevent costly emergency repairs.

3. Is It Safe to Use a Garage Door with a Broken Cable?

No, it’s not! A damaged cable can make the door unbalanced or drop without warning. And this can cause major problems, like –

• Serious injury to people nearby
• Damage to your vehicle
• Bent tracks or broken panels
• Strain on springs and opener

When your cables stop working properly, you need to call for professional help quickly.

4. How Do I Know Which Garage Door Cable Is Right for My Door?

The right garage door cable depends on your door’s weight, size, and the type of spring system it uses. There are three main types of garage door cables – torsion spring cables, extension spring cables, and safety cables. 

Each one works differently and comes in specific lengths, thicknesses, and strand counts. Using the wrong cable can throw the door out of balance or cause system failure. That’s why a professional inspection is the safest way to install the correct cable.

Contact Us at (916) 387-8664 & Request a Free Consultation

Takeaway

Your garage door cables are important parts of the door. So, when they get damaged, the entire door system will be unstable and dangerous to use. 

That’s why you should always watch for the signs of damaged cables and get the door fixed right away with professional help if you notice any issues.

Eudy Door Co. – Local Garage Door Pros You Can Rely On

Eudy Door Co. is one of the most trusted names for garage door service in Elk Grove. With 40+ years of experience, hundreds of positive reviews, and trained professionals, we’re the best garage door team you’ll find in town. 

If your cables get damaged, our pros will inspect them properly and do a quick garage door repair in Elk Grove so that you can use your door safely again. And if we find any irreparable issues with the cable, we’ll do a full replacement as well. 

If you need more information or want to book a service, you can call us now at (916) 387-8664.