From its origins in Ancient Greece to the elevators we know and love today, elevators have come a long way. Elevators aren’t only for large buildings, but also for shopping centers and businesses. To avoid costly repairs, residential elevator owners must ensure that they maintain their elevators as well as any other investments.
To ensure safety and avoid costly repairs, all parts of your home elevator must be in perfect working order. These maintenance tips will help you decide how often you should service your home elevator.
Maintain safety and keep up with repairs
You must adhere to safety guidelines and keep up with repairs in order to have a functioning home elevator. You should keep a log of all repairs that are needed so you can quickly take corrective action and call professionals if there are any repeating problems. It will save you time and money by having a backup of your home elevator log. You can also share your log with an elevator repair company to keep them informed about how your elevator is performing.
You must also follow certain rules to ensure safety and prevent damage to your elevator.
These safety tips will help you prolong your elevator’s life and prevent additional repairs.
- Be aware of the elevator’s weight limit. Don’t overload it.
- All contents should be kept at least 2 inches from the cab gates and cab walls.
- If you are using an elevator, keep the landing doors shut.
- If your landing or car gate locking system is not working properly, don’t use your elevator.
- Do not tamper with, bypass, disable, or remove doors locks or other safety features.
- If you hear unusual sounds or the ride is not normal, don’t use your elevator.
- Be sure to stop the elevator before you exit or enter.
- Do not open the car gate when the elevator is in motion.
Schedule regular maintenance
Regular maintenance is a great way to maintain your elevator’s condition and keep it in good repair. Although homeowners can make some improvements to prolong the life of their elevators, it is still difficult for everyday people to spot a problem and know what to do. If in doubt, contact a professional before you take any action.
Regular maintenance can help you avoid potential problems before they occur. Routine maintenance can improve elevator functionality and allow for smoother rides for users. You can also keep track of minor problems between appointments to help professionals identify the problem during their next visit.
Do it Yourself Inspections between Services
You can inspect your elevator between professional inspections. A daily inspection is a great way to maintain your elevator’s condition. Although you don’t need to inspect every part of your elevator, it is a good idea to do a daily inspection as you use it.
Next time you enter, consider how the elevator works.
- Are all the buttons working as they should?
- Is the door properly open and closed?
- Are you able to see any interior damage?
There is no need to keep track of all the things you should be looking for every day. However, it is important to remember that any serious issues can pose a risk to your safety and could cost you dearly if not addressed promptly.
What are the most common repairs that need to be made?
You run the risk that your residential elevator may fail to be maintained, which can lead to costly repairs. Your elevator is more likely to need repairs if it is not taken care of sooner than you think. Keep up to date with home elevator maintenance and be aware of common repairs that may be required.
Common Repairs
It is best to hire a professional to handle repairs. A handy homeowner might be able to handle some of the more common repairs. These repairs only apply to items that can be accessed from the cab and not through the hoistway. If the elevator’s doors become stuck in the receiver or bump into the jamb, they may need to be adjusted or repaired. Never adjust the elevator’s locking mechanism. It is best to trust a professional for any repairs that are common.
Large Repairs
Professionals should diagnose and make any other repairs that are necessary. This includes hoistway problems. If you are unable to see the problem in your elevator, or if it is not obvious from the visuals, call a technician to inspect the elevator and find the cause.
Regularly scheduled maintenance is important
Regular maintenance is a simple solution to common elevator problems. Although a self-performed inspection of your elevator is a great way to monitor things, it won’t be enough for your elevator to survive. Schedule regular maintenance visits with your professional elevator repair company to ensure that no problem is overlooked. Many states require annual inspections of elevators. Scheduled maintenance should be part of your elevator upkeep, even if it is not required by your state. As you take care of your elevator, you will learn what professional look for and how often it should be serviced. Also very important is to use only the best lift part suppliers, so you can relay on your parts.
What Maintenance Professionals Seek
There are many things you should look out for when it comes to reliable maintenance. This is why professional elevator maintenance is so important. Inspections, safety testing and routine maintenance are the most important aspects of residential elevator maintenance. Professionals will inspect your elevator’s car and pit to make sure everything is working as it should.
Professionals will inspect your wiring and check the oil. They also make sure that the machine room is compliant with code. They might also inspect the machine room to make sure there is a separate branch circuit for lighting. You should remove anything that might prevent them from getting to your equipment.
Professionals will inspect the elevator cab for damage and make sure that the doors open and close correctly. They also check the ceiling, handrails, walls, and ceiling for signs of damage. Professionals will inspect the door panels and check clearances. They also replace any out-of-date lights. To ensure that the elevator is in peak working order, they will inspect the cab frame, rail system and cables for signs of wear.
How Often Should Residential Elevators be Serviced?
Regular elevator maintenance is something you are well aware of. But how often should it be done? You should clearly state in your contract how often you need to have your elevator serviced. However, it is likely that more frequent maintenance will have positive results. Regular inspections of your elevator can help to identify any potential problems before they become serious. There are a few factors that influence how often your elevator should be serviced. These factors include:
- Type of elevator: There are many models to choose from so elevator maintenance and repair costs can vary. Depending on the type of elevator, some may need service visits more often than others. You might need to replace parts in some elevators that are more expensive than others. Check with the company where you purchased your elevator for details.
- Your contract: Some companies also include in their contracts a number of inspections that are required. There are many maintenance agreements available from elevator companies so that you can choose the one that suits you best. So there are no surprises, the contract should clearly outline how much maintenance you have access to and how long. These inspections are a great way to ensure that you get the best out of your contract.
- You live where: The regulations for elevators vary from one state to the next. There are different regulations for elevators from one state to the next. Make sure you contact your local government office before installing your elevator.
HAVING YOUR ELEVATOR INSPECTED ON A ANNUAL BASIS
Your elevator should be serviced at the very least once per year. This is the recommended maintenance schedule by most elevator companies. An elevator that has not been serviced in a while will perform better. However, an elevator that isn’t maintained for a long time might run more slowly.
Maintenance may include checking for loose bolts, lubricating components and testing the emergency brake when your residential elevator is serviced.
It is important to keep track of who and what was done when your elevator is serviced. This will help ensure that your technician does all necessary maintenance. It will also allow you to keep track of any work done.
How long will a home elevator last?
Your maintenance program is a major factor in how long an elevator will last. Your elevator will last longer if it receives regular maintenance. Other factors that can impact the life of your residential elevator include how often you use it, its design, and environmental factors.
How long can your home elevator last? Most residential elevators will last at least 20 years before needing to be replaced. Your elevator should be maintained at the very least every 20 years. Most elevators will be retired after 25 years. These are elevators that have been properly maintained and cared for. Other elevators will last half their life expectancy if they aren’t maintained and cared for properly.
