Are you being greeted by a very unpleasant noise every time your garage door opens? Notice it’s not moving as smoothly as it used to?
This is a scenario that we have seen time and time again. We, at North Country Door Systems, are experienced garage door technicians who are here to help YOU figure out what is going on with that garage door of yours!
A garage door system is complicated especially if you are not mechanically inclined. Several hardware pieces play critical roles in the overall function of a garage door and if one breaks, they all break.
Before you consider repairing any of these heavy-duty hardware parts, it is necessary to know their principal function and where they are installed in your garage door.
We are here to inform you of all those special parts and each role they play in the overall functioning of a garage door.
Have you taken the time to look at the mechanisms of a garage door when it moves? Probably not. Knowing the various parts of your garage door system can help you detect when one of them is damaged.
The 2 Main Garage Door Hardware Systems
Cables
Cables are an extremely important part of a garage door system and the one part to really keep an eye on as they wear down over time due to all the friction and heat.
One cable is located on each side of the garage door. They work together with the springs to counterbalance the weight of the door in order to lift the door up when need be. For this reason, cables are also referred to as life cables.
YOU SHOULD KNOW > It is essential not to confuse lift and safety cables!
Safety cables are installed when you choose to use extension springs for your garage door (we’ll explain these later). Their purpose is to keep you safe if a spring ever breaks since they are located within the middle of the spring.
Springs
Garage doors can either use torsion springs or extension springs. Each spring system has its differences and knowing how they operate will help you understand the bigger picture of how a garage door works.
Torsion springs
Torsion springs are located above the garage door where it opens, on a steel rod. There will be either one spring or a pair of springs depending on the size and weight of the door. Torsion springs are much quieter and safer compared to extension springs, if correctly installed.
Safety cables aren’t needed for torsion springs because a tube runs through the middle of the spring. When the garage door opens, the lift cables spin around drums that are located on the ends of the tube. The opposite ends of the lift cables attach to bottom brackets on the door.
Still with us? Okay, great.
So now imagine the garage door opening. The torsion spring, which is packed with force, begins to unwind. The drums begin to spin, and the lift cables wrap around the drums which begins to lift the garage door open.
Extension springs
Unlike torsions springs, extension springs are utilized for smaller doors where the space above the door is limited.
You will find each spring above the horizontal tracks that the door moves upon. When the door is completely closed, the springs are stretched to their maximum. This creates a buildup of tension that is needed for when the door opens. Because of this function, extension springs are also referred to as stretch springs.
Safety cables are essential to install with extension springs because of the constant pressure that is created with the springs. When an extension spring breaks, it could fiercely shatter and cause a lot of damage.
Torsion (on the left) and extension springs (on the right) appear similar but operate differently.
Now that you may have figured out which part of your garage door system needs to be replaced, we highly recommend buying your replacement parts from a garage door specialist. This will ensure that you receive high-quality and durable components.
When Should Your Garage Door Cables Be Replaced?
As we mentioned earlier, the cables of a garage door wear down over time due to heat and friction. As soon as you notice the cables are fraying, they need to be replaced. It is very dangerous if cables snap as they could damage someone or something. Look out for the following signs that will tell you when your cables need to be replaced.
One thing to look out for is the alignment of the door on the track. If it is not aligned properly, it may cause other parts of the garage door system to weaken. Since your door can be misaligned at any time, it is recommended to frequently inspect this matter.
Moisture is another factor to look out for especially if you live somewhere where it often rains or snows. On top of that, dirt and insects trapped in your wet cables can cause some serious rusting and corrosion.
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Preventive maintenance
To avoid all of these issues from occurring, it is wise to book an appointment with a garage door specialist to inspect all parts of your garage door system. The number of cycles per year will determine how often you need preventative maintenance.
It is in your best interest to hire a garage door professional before your problems get worse. Just because you don’t see anything wrong, doesn’t mean that is the case!
Your garage door expert will assess the entire garage door system as a whole during their annual maintenance check. By checking each individual part, they are able to determine why the system as a whole is not functioning properly.
However, it would be best if you took time to inspect cables and other parts monthly. You can follow this checklist to help prevent components from breaking and maintain your garage door like a pro. Here are 5 simple things you can do:
● Clean the tracks
● Follow the manual guide
● Lubricate your hardware
● Inspect all the parts every month
● Balance your garage door
Why you Should Hire a Professional Instead of Fixing a Garage Door Yourself
The main reason is SAFETY! Garage door cables are very heavy and very dangerous if they become unhinged. If a spring loosens, the cables can whip frantically damaging or destroying anything nearby.
Professional garage door specialists possess the relevant skill set and tools to be able to fix your garage door safely in an efficient manner that is worth your money.
Please don’t try to fix your garage door system on your own! It is very likely that you will damage it more which will then increase your repair costs and could potentially cause you serious harm.
Potential hazards associated with do-it-yourself garage door repairs
● Bodily injuries
At the least, garage doors weigh 150 pounds or 68 kilograms. Since the cables and springs are constantly under intense tension- if anything is mishandled, a number of components could become a damaging force.
● Property damages
You could easily damage your property or your belongings by attempting to fix a garage door yourself. If so, you will then have to add extra costs since you now have to replace or fix those damages.
● Thieves
If your garage door suddenly becomes more damaged then it was, you will be opening your home to potential intruders and putting your family’s safety at risk.
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Contact our Garage Door Experts
Our certified garage door experts will inspect, adjust, and test your whole garage door system during one of our annual inspections.
When you put your trust in professionals like ours, we will save you time and money with our garage door services, including maintenance and repair. We give you the option to participate in an annual maintenance program or pay by the hour.
Have peace of mind knowing that your garage door is operating safely and smoothly all year round with North Country Door Systems!
For all garage door services, contact us now at 518-562-8310!
Besides our excellent technical services, we are also happy to offer style consulting services. A garage door isn’t just there for its function, it also adds character and personality to a home. Let your unique style shine through with our gorgeous garage door options.
Want to replace your garage door? Use our 3 styles to find the garage door that really adds curb appeal to your home. Our specialists can help you choose the color, design, and accessories according to your budget.
Already know what you want? Get a free quote by email.
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