Whether or not you realize it, there is quite a bit more to your garage door functioning than one might think. Understanding the various parts and their functions will give you a greater appreciation for this everyday contraption, which is why our quote above comes from one of the top garage door manufacturers in the world. Garage door cables are among these components and are responsible for keeping the balance of the door doorhumor. At York Garage Door Guys, we are going to break down the important work garage door cables do for your garage door.
Knowing the Balance of Garage Door
Your garage door would work best when properly balanced. An improperly positioned door puts undue stress on parts, can accelerate the wear on components, and can create dangerous situations with the equipment. This balance is fundamentally achieved and maintained through the use of garage door cables.
How Garage Door Cable Work
Garage door cables are thick, robust steel cables that run along the bottom corners of the garage door and wrap around woven drums on the upper part of the door opening. These cables attach to the springs in the garage door, which hold and release tension to help feel the weight of the door both up as well as down. With the door closed, the springs which are compressed provide tension and the cables assist in carrying the weight of the door.
Balancing the Weight
The cables are responsible for sharing the weight that the garage door puts on each side springs. This is important in maintaining balance so one spring doesn’t have to carry more weight than the other. As the door rises, tension is created in the springs and the cables unwind from the drums. The cables spool back on the drums as the door lowers, releasing tension on the springs.
Making Sure It Operates Without a Hitch
If the garage door cables are properly balanced, nothing should be straining out, as it allows the door to roll along its tracks. And it helps prevent other parts of the system, like the rollers and the tracks, from wearing out too much. Aligned garage door cables also help in maintaining the safety of the door, preventing sudden drops, or unexpected moves that could cause a hazard.
Regular Maintenance and Inspection by Professionals
Your garage door will need to be inspected regularly, and professionally maintained in order to keep the balance. Garage door experts, such as the team at York Garage Door Guys, can evaluate the conditioning of your cables, springs, and extra components. They look for signs of wear, fraying, and other problems that may threaten the balance of your garage door.
Garage door cables are the unsung heroes of your garage door system, balancing and stabilizing the intricate choreography of components that work together to facilitate safe operation. These steel cables are a seemingly banal blend of springs, drums, rollers, and tracks that all work together to create a coordinated choreography for opening and closing your garage door. Thus regular maintenance, as well as the professional inspection of your car, is crucial to keep such a performance running. At York Garage Door Guys, we specialize in maintaining your garage door in top form. Call us today and set an appointment for a maintenance service to keep your garage door balanced and functional.