Garage doors are often used as entry points for homes in Brighton. But behind every smoothly functioning garage door, a network of parts are working hard–including cables.
If your garage door feels off-balance, jerky, or fails to open at all, a faulty cable might be to blame. In this guide, we’ll show Brighton homeowners how to spot the signs of a bad garage door cable before it turns into a major (and costly) repair.
What Do Garage Door Cables Actually Do?
Garage door cables are an essential safety feature. They work in tandem with the springs to control the lifting and lowering of your garage door. When functioning properly, the cables bear the brunt of your door’s weight and ensure it moves evenly on both sides.
There are two main types:
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Torsion Spring Cables. Run horizontally along the top of the door.
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Extension Spring Cables. Usually found running vertically along the sides.
If a cable frays, stretches, or snaps, it can cause serious damage to the door–and worse, pose a safety hazard to your family or vehicle.
4 Warning Signs of a Faulty Garage Door Cable
If you’re in Brighton and suspect something’s wrong with your garage door, here are the most common signs that your cables might be at fault:
The Door Feels Heavy or Doesn’t Open Smoothly
Garage door cables help support the weight of the door. If a cable starts failing, the opener motor has to work harder. You might notice:
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Struggling to lift the door manually
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Door stopping halfway
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Uneven lifting
This is a clear red flag for garage door cables Brighton homeowners should not ignore.
Frayed or Visibly Damaged Cables
If you see strands of wire poking out of the cable or areas where it looks thin or rusty, that’s a sign of wear and tear. You might need to:
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Inspect the cable near the drum (on torsion spring systems)
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Check the pulley area (on extension spring systems)
Tip: Always turn off your opener and don’t touch the cable if it looks damaged. Tensioned cables can snap with serious force.
Garage Door Closes Too Fast
A faulty cable may release too much tension, causing the door to crash shut instead of lowering slowly. Not only is this dangerous, but it can warp the tracks, damage the panels, or ruin your automatic opener.
Visible Slack in the Cables
Cables should always be taut. If you see a cable hanging loosely on one side of the door, stop using the opener immediately. That slack indicates the cable has either come off the drum or is close to failing.
What to Do If You Suspect a Cable Problem
If you’ve spotted any of the warning signs above, here’s what to do:
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Stop Using the Garage Door. Manually operating the door can cause further damage.
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Visually Inspect the Cables. From a safe distance, look for frays, rust, or slack.
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Call a Professional. A trained technician from North Denver Garage Doors can assess and repair the issue safely and quickly.
Preventative Maintenance Saves Money
Want to avoid future cable failures? Here are some quick maintenance tips:
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Schedule an Annual Inspection. A technician can spot early signs of wear before they become expensive issues.
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Lubricate Moving Parts. Use a silicone-based lubricant on tracks and pulleys (not cables directly).
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Keep It Clean. Remove debris from the garage door tracks and cable paths to reduce friction.
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Check Balance. Disconnect the opener and lift the door manually. If it’s heavy or lopsided, cables may need attention.
Get Your Garage Door Cables Fix Now
When it comes to protecting your home, small fixes today can prevent major problems tomorrow–garage door cables are one of these many examples. Catching the signs early save you from more extensive repairs as well as keep your home safe.
That said, if you’re in Brighton and unsure about your garage door cables, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local pros.
North Denver Garage Doors, for instance, can help you. Our team offers a wide range of garage door solutions, from garage door repair, spring replacement, to opener installation. We are committed to providing our customers with exceptional and long-lasting results only.
Call us now at (720) 983-3269 or send us a message.
