It started as an ordinary Saturday in Houston. A family had just returned from a soccer game when the garage door suddenly dropped with a loud slam. The children had been walking just a few feet away. Luckily, no one was hurt. When we arrived at the home, we discovered that a broken garage door cable had caused the system to fail. This kind of issue may sound rare, but at Leneghan Garage Doors, we see it more often than most homeowners would expect.
Garage doors are one of the heaviest moving systems in any home. They rely on a carefully balanced combination of cables, springs, rollers, tracks, and garage door sensors to work properly. When even one part breaks, the entire garage door system can become unsafe. Broken garage door cables, in particular, can cause serious safety problems, leading to falling doors, damaged vehicles, or even severe personal injury.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 20,000 garage door injuries are reported each year across the United States. Many of these incidents involve problems with critical components such as cables, garage door openers, or garage door sensors. While garage doors are designed with built-in safety mechanisms like photoelectric sensors and auto-reverse features, these components only function correctly when the door’s physical parts are in good condition.
In this article, our expert team at Leneghan Garage Doors will walk you through the important details of how garage door cables work, why they break, and what happens when they fail. We will also explore how broken cables impact your home’s safety, how garage door sensors factor into the equation, and what you can do to avoid these risks entirely.
What Do Garage Door Cables Do and Why Are They So Important?
Garage door cables are an essential part of the garage door system. They are made of strong steel wiring that works in harmony with the springs to safely raise and lower the garage door. Every time the garage door opens or closes, the cables wrap or unwind from drums that are connected to a shaft. This mechanism ensures that the heavy door remains balanced and that its movement is controlled.
There are two primary types of garage door cables:
- Torsion spring cables are used in torsion spring systems, which are typically located just above the garage door. These systems are more common in newer homes and commercial buildings.
- Extension spring cables work with extension spring systems that stretch along the horizontal tracks on either side of the door.
Without these cables, the springs alone cannot control the weight of the garage door. The door could fall freely or move unevenly, which creates dangerous situations for both people and property. These cables carry much of the weight and pressure, and they must be installed correctly and maintained regularly to ensure garage door safety.
What Causes Garage Door Cables to Break?
While garage door cables are designed for strength and durability, several common reasons can lead to premature failure. Understanding these causes can help homeowners take preventive action.
1. Rust and Corrosion
Houston’s humid weather and coastal air often introduce moisture into the garage. When water gets into the garage door system, it can cause the steel cables to rust. Over time, this rust eats away at the strength of the cable, causing it to fray or snap unexpectedly. This is one of the most common problems we see in areas with high humidity.
2. Fraying from Wear and Tear
As garage door cables move during each opening and closing cycle, they can rub against pulleys or misaligned parts. This constant friction weakens the cable’s metal strands, especially if regular maintenance is neglected. Frayed cables may not appear completely broken at first, but are much more likely to snap during operation.
3. Improper Tension in the System
If the springs in the garage door system are not calibrated correctly, it can place excessive tension on the cables. This imbalance can wear out one cable faster than the other. Uneven tension causes the door to lift at an angle, which then stresses the garage door opener, rollers, and garage door sensors.
4. Poor Installation or Low-Quality Materials
Garage door cables must be the correct length, diameter, and type for the specific door system. A professional garage door technician will ensure the right fit, but DIY repairs or low-cost installations often use mismatched or low-grade components. Over time, these inferior parts cannot handle the load, leading to dangerous failures.
5. Lack of Routine Maintenance
Failing to schedule routine garage door maintenance is one of the leading reasons cables fail. Dirt buildup, misaligned pulleys, dry rollers, and other worn parts all contribute to premature cable damage. Regular maintenance not only extends the life of the cables but also keeps the garage door sensors and opener unit in good working condition.
What Are the Signs of a Broken Garage Door Cable?
Knowing how to identify a broken or failing garage door cable can help prevent injury and property damage. Look for these warning signs:
- The garage door suddenly slams shut or drops quickly
- You notice that the garage door is opening unevenly or appears crooked
- One side of the garage door seems higher or lower than the other
- Loose cables are visible hanging near the bottom of the track
- The garage door opener struggles to move the door or makes unusual noises
- The garage door sensors flash a light or signal an error
If you see or hear any of these signs, it is important to stop using the door and contact a garage door professional right away. Attempting to operate a door with a broken cable can result in serious garage door safety hazards.
How Broken Garage Door Cables Impact Safety
A broken garage door cable compromises the entire garage door system. Without this important part, the balance and alignment of the door are affected, which can lead to several dangerous outcomes.
Falling Doors
Garage doors can weigh between 130 and 400 pounds, depending on their size and material. When one or both cables break, the door may fall with full force. This is one of the most severe safety risks and can cause injury, vehicle damage, or structural harm to the garage itself.
Damage to Property and Vehicles
A falling or uneven garage door can strike a parked vehicle, dent the floor, break windows, or destroy stored items. In some cases, we have seen customers suffer thousands of dollars in damages from a door that crashed due to cable failure.
Increased Risk for Children and Pets
Automatic garage doors are equipped with safety features like photoelectric sensors and infrared beams, but these do not always prevent a fall if the cables fail. Children and pets are often the most vulnerable because they may enter or exit the garage quickly without recognizing a malfunction.
Additional Strain on Other Parts
When one cable is damaged or snapped, the remaining components in the system have to work harder. This extra strain often causes issues in the garage door opener, the motor unit, the torsion springs, or the safety sensors. Eventually, the entire system may break down.
How Garage Door Sensors Contribute to Safety
Garage door sensors are one of the most important safety components in any modern garage door system. These sensors, typically located at the bottom of each side of the garage door, send an invisible infrared beam across the width of the door opening. If something interrupts the beam, such as a person, a pet, or an object, the garage door opener is programmed to stop and reverse the door’s motion.
There are a few things to understand about garage door sensors:
- They rely on correct alignment. If the sensors are not properly aligned, the beam of light cannot connect, and the system may not respond correctly.
- They can be blocked or dirty. Dust, debris, or water droplets on the lenses may cause the sensors to think something is blocking the beam.
- They depend on consistent power. A dead battery or loose wiring can cause the sensors to malfunction or stop working entirely.
- They are part of a larger garage security system. If the cable breaks or the door is off track, the sensors might not be able to stop the door in time.
Even with sensors in place, a physical failure like a broken cable can override these safety mechanisms. This is why it is critical to keep all garage door components, including safety sensors and wiring, in good condition with regular maintenance.
Why You Should Never Use a Garage Door with a Broken Cable
Operating a garage door with a broken cable is extremely risky. The garage door opener may attempt to lift the door, but will quickly become unbalanced, causing the motor to overheat or the door to jam.
Common problems that can arise include:
- The door becomes stuck halfway, leaving your home unsecured
- The door moves unevenly, leading to bent tracks or misaligned rollers
- The safety sensors are no longer detecting movement correctly
- The garage door opener is suffering internal damage from strain
In short, a broken cable affects everything from the alignment of the door to the integrity of your garage door system. Do not attempt to lift or force the door manually. Call a trained technician to assess the problem and make the necessary repairs.
How to Prevent Garage Door Cable Issues
The best way to keep your garage door system safe is to schedule regular maintenance. At Leneghan Garage Doors, we offer preventive maintenance services that help identify and fix issues before they become dangerous.
Our technicians will:
- Inspect all cables for fraying or tension problems
- Test the alignment and responsiveness of your garage door sensors
- Verify the balance of your garage door system
- Check for corrosion or wear in the springs and rollers
- Ensure the wiring and receiver connections in your opener unit are secure
- Clean and test the photoelectric sensors to confirm they detect infrared light properly
Routine inspections at least twice a year, especially before heavy weather seasons, will help ensure your garage door stays reliable, safe, and efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a garage door still function with only one working cable?
No, a garage door should never be used with only one functioning cable. This creates an imbalance that puts excessive strain on the remaining parts, often leading to further damage or sudden door collapse.
2. How often should garage door cables be inspected or replaced?
Garage door cables should be professionally inspected at least once a year. Replacement is typically needed every 7 to 10 years, or sooner if visible wear, corrosion, or fraying is present.
3. Are there warning sounds that suggest a garage door cable might be failing?
Yes, you may hear a loud snapping sound, grinding, or uneven noises during door movement. These sounds often indicate cable tension issues or fraying and should be checked immediately by a technician.
4. Can I lubricate garage door cables to extend their life?
No, cables themselves should not be lubricated, as this can attract dust and cause more damage over time. Instead, focus on maintaining clean, rust-free conditions and lubricating related components like springs and rollers.
How Can Leneghan Garage Doors Help You?
If you live in Houston, TX, or the surrounding areas and are facing garage door problems, our experienced technicians at Leneghan Garage Doors are ready to assist you. Whether your system has a broken cable, misaligned sensors, a malfunctioning garage door opener, or any other safety-related issue, we are here to keep your garage door system operating safely and smoothly.
Our services include:
- Repair and replacement of broken garage door cables
- Professional inspection and realignment of garage door sensors
- Troubleshooting and fixing garage door opener issues
- Full garage door installation and upgrades for residential and commercial properties
- Scheduled maintenance programs for long-term reliability and safety
Call us today at (281) 867-6656 or visit our team at 3025 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098. We offer timely appointments, honest pricing, and expert solutions that protect your home and your loved ones.
Final Thoughts
Garage door cables may seem like a small part of your garage system, but they play a major role in keeping everything working safely and properly. A broken cable can compromise the function of your door, damage important parts like garage door sensors and openers, and lead to serious injuries or property loss.
By understanding how these cables work, why they break, and how to recognize early signs of failure, you can take the right steps to protect your home. Regular maintenance, timely repairs, and professional inspections are the key to preventing garage door problems before they happen.
At Leneghan Garage Doors, we are proud to serve the Houston community with safe, reliable, and expert service. Let us help you stay ahead of garage door cable issues and keep your home secure. The next step is simple. Reach out to schedule an inspection, and give your garage the care and attention it deserves.