As the weather gets colder and damper over the winter months, the added strain can wreak havoc on your garage doors. One of the most common garage door issues: Snapped cables. The cables are especially susceptible to added wear and tear. They’re made like rope; with multiple strands twisted together for added stability. Over time, these strands can rust and begin to break. Add the strain of opening and closing the heavy garage doors, the cable snaps. Once a cable snaps, the door will no longer operate properly and trying to force it will only cause more damage.
If you find yourself with snapped cables, it’s best to call a technician to fix things appropriately. Trying to fix them yourself could end up making things worse. It’s important to make sure that the new cable is equal thickness or thicker than the one that snapped, or it will only break again. Having a professional do the work will ensure that the cables are the correct dimensions and are installed correctly. It may be necessary to replace the other cable as well if it’s in poor condition, so be prepared for that. Once both cables are replaced and in running order, you can use the door as usual. Having a technician come by could also be beneficial to find other potential problems and fix them before they become larger, pricier problems.
Snapped cables on your garage door is a sure way to put it out of commission, but is a relatively simple and inexpensive fix. Call a professional to have the cables replaced quickly, and take care not to force the door until the repairs are made to cut down costs. An additional once-over to ensure that everything is in proper working condition never hurt anyone.