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You might not have thought about how important a garage door cable drum is to how well your door works overall. Working quietly behind the scenes, this is the hidden garage door part that makes your garage door glide along its tracks. But not every cable drum is the same. Choosing the wrong garage door cable drum can cause a lot of problems. It can cause uneven pulling and even premature wear and tear.
This guide will show you how to choose the right garage door cable drum for your door type. We will walk you through the process to ensure your garage door works safely and efficiently. Let us get started and make the tricky job of picking the right garage door cable drum an easy task that you can handle.
Garage Door Cable Drum: What It Is and How It Works
Attached at the end of the torsion spring shaft is a garage door cable drum. It is an important part of a garage door system because it keeps the door moving smoothly and evenly. The grooves around the outside of the cable drum help pull cables coil and uncoil as the door moves. When the garage door opens, the wires wind around the drums and lift the door. Meanwhile, the cables unwind from the drum when the door shuts, which lets the door fall smoothly.
Choosing the Right Garage Door Cable Drum for Your Door Type
It is important to choose the right garage door cable drum for your door to work smoothly and safely. Here is a guide on how to pick the right cable drum for different door types:
Identify the Door Type
There are different garage doors, each with features that can affect which cable drums you choose.
- Sectional Garage Doors: They are panel pieces joined by hinges. They use high-tension springs connected to cables to open and close the door.
- Roll-Up Garage Doors: These doors have steel slats that roll around a drum. They are suitable for heavy usage and do not need springs.
- Slide to the Side Garage Doors: These bend to one side of the garage and are great for garages with low ceilings. They do not need balance springs and often come with a built-in motor.
- Side-Hinged Garage Doors: Often made of steel or wood, they have a hinged frame that lets them open like big barn doors.
- Tilt-Up Canopy Garage Doors: Usually made of one solid piece and tilt into the garage. When they are open, they sit flat against the garage ceiling.
- Tilt-Up Retractable Garage Doors: They are like canopy doors but retract into the garage.
Understand the Cable Drum Types
Garage door cable drums come in different types to fit different door sizes, weights, and shapes. Here are the common garage door cable drums:
- Standard Lift Cable Drums: These are the most common type used in residential garage doors. They have a flat, curved surface that helps the cable wind and unwind as the door opens and closes.
- Vertical Lift Cable Drums: These are common in industrial applications where the garage doors need to lift straight up and out of the way. These vertical lift cable drums, made to handle heavy use, keep the door from wobbling as it lifts.
- High-Lift Cable Drums: These drums combine normal and vertical lift. They are great when the door needs to lift partially vertically before returning to the garage. They work great in places that need a high lift but do not have a lot of headroom.
- Torque Force Cable Drums: These drums, made to work with a garage door system, have a torque force spring. Their unique grooved design makes it easy for the wire to go from the drum to the full door height.
Measure the Door and Drum
- Door Weight and Size: Garage doors made of steel or wood that are heavier need drums that are stronger and can handle the extra weight.
- Cable Thickness: There are cable drums made to work with certain types of wire thicknesses. A too-thick cable might not fit properly in the drum grooves. Whereas a cable that is too thin might slip or jump out of the drum.
- Garage Door Drum Size: The cable drum has to be big enough to hold the entire length of the cable without it spilling out over the ends. The wrong drum diameter could damage the door or the cable. Larger garage door cable drums can handle more cable wrap and heavier doors.
Check the Garage Door Spring Type
- Torsion Springs: The garage door cable drum must be compatible with your torsion spring system.
- Extension Springs: These springs are not typical for cable drum use, but compatibility is key if they are.
Understand the Cable Drum Markings
Cable drums usually have marks that tell you about their specifications. It will inform you how high they can go or how much weight they can hold. These marks are very important for making sure that the drum you choose fits the needs of your door. You can also determine the lift by computing the high-lift measurement. It is the distance between the top of the closed door and the bottom of the horizontal track.
Check Track Radius Compatibility
Your choice of garage door cable drums depends on the radius of the tracks. Most residential garage doors use a 12-inch or 15-inch radius. So make sure the drums you pick are compatible with your installed track system.
Consult with Garage Door Professionals
If you are unsure which drum to choose, it is always best to talk to a garage door expert. If you have a poorly installed garage door cable drum, it could break down quickly or make the operation unsafe. Professional garage door cable drum replacement guarantees that the drum fits properly and does what it should.
Garage Door Supplier Near Me
Wondering why your garage door is not working right? The secret could be in the cable drum, and Titan Garage Doors NE is here to help. With our expertise, you can ensure that your garage door functions smoothly and securely, tailored to the specific type of door you have.
Need a reliable garage door in Omaha, Nebraska? Look no further! Titan Garage Doors NE, your trusted garage door supplier, is here to save the day. You can rely on us for all types of garage doors and parts to give you quality services and products. We can do repairs, including fixing garage door cable drum issues, so you can get your system up and running in no time. Do not let a small cable drum issue become a daily problem or a safety risk. Call us today and ensure safety and comfort in your home.
