Snapped garage door cable

A snapped cable can sound like a loud bang from the garage. Afterward the door may hang crooked, with one side lower than the other, or it may not move at all. You might also see a loose wire dangling near a bottom corner of the door.

Why cables break

Lift cables run from the bottom corners of the door up to the spring system. Each time the door moves, the cable winds around a drum. Over thousands of cycles, the wire strands wear out and break. Overhead Door, a garage door maker, adds that rain, road salt and damp near the floor can rust the cables. A door that hits something can also make a cable jump off its drum and fray.

Warning signs

• Frayed or "whisker" strands on a cable
• A door that hangs crooked
• A loose or sagging wire
• Squeaking or grinding when the door moves
• An opener that runs but won't lift the door

What to do now

• Stop using the door. Don't keep running the opener.
• Don't touch the bottom brackets, pull on a slack cable or turn the cable drums. The Door and Access Systems Manufacturers Association (DASMA) says the brackets are connected to the springs and are under extreme tension. A sudden release can cause serious injury.
• Don't stand or walk under a door that hangs crooked. Keep children and pets away.
• If your car is stuck inside, say so when you call.

What the repair involves

DASMA says cables should be replaced only by a trained technician. Overhead Door describes a standard job as replacing both lift cables, then inspecting the drums, aligning the tracks and checking the door's balance.

Cost depends on the door and the provider. HomeAdvisor's garage door repair cost guide puts cable repairs at $100 to $400. It notes that larger and heavier doors need sturdier cables and more time, which pushes the price toward the top of that range.

What happens when you call

1. You call the number on this page. A short automated assistant asks two or three questions, such as what's wrong and your ZIP code, so we can find the right provider.
2. We connect your call to an independent garage door provider who serves your area.
3. You talk with the provider directly about the problem, timing and price before any work starts.

Main Street Garage Door Repair doesn't charge you for the referral. The provider sets their own prices and does the work. Calls are recorded for quality and billing.