The garage door spring safety cable is an essential part of your garage door. It secures the springs of the mechanism in place in case of spring failure. If your door has extension springs, it is a requirement to have a safety cable for each spring.
A safety cable is in the shape of a long wire rope with a loop at each end. One end of the cable gets attached to the bracket that is fastened to the wall or ceiling near the torsion spring. The other end is attached to the bottom bracket on the garage door. In this article, we will discuss the importance of the garage door spring safety cable, how it should be maintained, and the installation process – which is a lot easier with Fix Garage Doors CA.
Why Is A Garage Door Spring Safety Cable Important?
The primary purpose of the cable is to prevent the spring from flying off in the case of breakage. If a spring breaks, it can cause significant damage to your door, car, or worse, yourself. Having a safety cable in place ensures it prevents any accidents or damage that can happen.
If your spring breaks or snaps, the cable will protect the door, and the spring will stay in place. The cable will hold the broken spring and prevent it from flying off and striking anything or anyone. It acts as a backup for broken springs.
Maintenance Of Garage Door Spring Safety Cable
It is necessary to inspect the spring safety cable regularly to ensure it is secured and not frayed or damaged. If the cable appears to be frayed or damaged, then it needs to be replaced immediately. Failure to do so can cause it to break, which defeats the purpose of the feature.
Additionally, check the loops and attachments of the system to ensure they are in good condition. The loop ends of the string should be securely wrapped around the attachment point. The connection points of the cable must also remain secure on the bottom bracket and the wall bracket near the torsion spring.
As part of regular door maintenance, it’s always best to lubricate the safety feature and other parts of the system to prevent rust and corrosion. We recommend lubricating all moving parts of the garage door at least twice a year. This will ensure the construction continues to operate smoothly, and that the safety features remain in good condition. It will also prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your garage door.
Installation Process
Before we dive into the installation process, remember that handling garage door parts, particularly cables and springs, could be dangerous if not done correctly. Keep safety goggles, gloves, and other protective equipment nearby whenever working on garage doors.
First, identify the extension spring and what it is attached to on the lower end. You need to find the bottom bracket that secures it in place.
Once you found the elements, begin running the safety string from the bracket connected to the wall bracket near the torsion spring, then through the part itself. Next, run it through the loop on the bottom bracket. Ensure the string is running down the middle of the element.
Take the S-hook and insert one end of the cable through the S-hook at one end, then wrap the cable around the spring fitting. Secure it in place by threading the string through another end of the S-hook. You can adjust the length of the safety cable by adjusting it from the S-hook and the bottom of the bracket. Make sure it has enough slack when the spring is fully extended.
Finish up by checking the connection points to ensure the cable is secure. Make sure the loops are fastened and the bottom bracket and wall bracket are appropriately attached.
Conclusion
Spring safety cables are essential when it comes to ensuring your garage door operates safely. They protect you, your vehicle, and other possessions. Regular maintenance of the safety cables by lubricating, checking for wear, and inspecting for frays is crucial.
Installing a garage door spring safety cable is not a difficult task, but attention to detail is a must. Remember that while the installation process is relatively simple, garage door cables and springs are under high tension, which can be dangerous when left unattended. Always seek professional help when you need it.
