Mastercraft Warns: This Overlooked Habit Is Shortening Opener Lifespans Press Services

This One Mistake Is Destroying Garage Door Openers in Gilbert Homes

Gilbert, United States - August 31, 2026 / Mastercraft Garage Door Service LLC /

GILBERT, Ariz., August 18, 2026 – Mastercraft Garage Door Service LLC is alerting Gilbert homeowners to a single, often overlooked habit that is shortening the life of garage door openers across the East Valley: continuing to operate a door after it becomes unbalanced. The company reports that this issue is now one of the most frequent causes behind local garage door opener repair calls.

An Overlooked Cause of Early Motor Failure

According to Mastercraft, an unbalanced garage door forces the opener motor to lift additional weight the springs were originally designed to carry. Homeowners often do not notice the shift because the door still opens and closes, even as the motor works harder on every cycle.

A residential garage door opens and closes roughly three to five times a day, or about 1,500 cycles a year, and openers typically hold up for 10 to 12 years under normal conditions. Mastercraft notes that sustained extra strain from an unbalanced door can shorten that lifespan well before its expected end.

“The door usually still looks like it is working fine, which is exactly why this gets missed," says Stuart Eisler Jr., owner of MasterCraft Garage Door Service. "By the time the motor starts straining or making noise, it has often been carrying extra weight for months. And that's exactly what destroys the motor long-term, because it's carrying weight it was never meant to lift. A short balance check twice a year can catch the problem long before it turns into a full opener replacement."

Common Warning Signs Homeowners Should Watch For

Mastercraft technicians point to a handful of signs that a door may be out of balance:

The door feels noticeably heavy when lifted by hand
The opener hums, strains, or slows down mid-cycle
The door closes unevenly or binds in the tracks
The door reverses without an obstacle present

Any of these signs can indicate the garage door opener is compensating for a mechanical issue rather than a problem with the motor itself.

Mastercraft's Recommendation for Local Homeowners

Mastercraft recommends an annual balance and safety check, particularly for homes with older openers or doors that have not been serviced recently. The company offers both garage door opener repair and garage door opener installation for homeowners whose openers have already reached the end of their service life.

"Our goal is to help homeowners catch small issues before they become bigger ones," Eisler added. "A balanced door protects the opener, the springs, and the overall system for years longer."

About Mastercraft Garage Door Service LLC

Mastercraft Garage Door Service LLC is a locally owned and operated garage door company serving Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Queen Creek, and the surrounding East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona. Founded in 2008 by Stuart Eisler Jr. and Stuart Eisler Sr., the company provides garage door repair, garage door opener repair, and garage door opener installation for residential customers throughout the region.