My up-and-over garage door cable has snapped. What should I do?

If your up-and-over garage door cable has snapped, which is a common type in the UK and Europe where the door tilts up and over rather than rolling in sections, you should stop using the door immediately and secure it because it can be very dangerous. Up-and-over doors typically use two side cables that run over pulleys and are attached to the door frame and door, working with springs to counterbalance the door. When one or both cables snap, the door will be extremely heavy, may hang crooked, or may not stay open and can slam down violently causing injury. First, do not try to operate the door with the automatic opener if you have one, and keep people and vehicles clear from under the door. Do not try to force it open or closed repeatedly as this can damage panels and tracks. If the door is stuck open, securely prop it with strong supports and clamp locking pliers on the tracks, but do not stand under it. Up-and-over cables are under high tension from the side springs and should not be replaced by a DIY novice because the springs can release suddenly and cause injury. Call a professional garage door specialist who is familiar with up-and-over mechanisms. Replacement of a pair of up-and-over cables typically costs 100 to 250 pounds or 150 to 300 dollars including labor, and the technician will also check springs, pulleys, and alignment.