4 Prescriptions for Healthy Elevator Maintenance

Keeping everything on the up and up

An elevator can last 20-30 years, and often longer. But proper maintenance is critical for achieving the long-term health of the equipment. Just like an automobile requires regular oil changes and maintenance, elevators also need inspections and preventative care to ensure everything is in good working order. Safety is a major reason, but regular maintenance also reduces or avoids downtime and costly repairs.

Here are 4 prescriptions for keeping your elevators healthy:

1. Regular maintenance should be tailored to the specific equipment

A good rule of thumb is to have your elevators serviced every month. However, the frequency of service can depend on the age, model, and the overall use. A system in a downtown skyscraper that houses many different companies will of course see more usage than a small building. At the same time, just as you face different health issues as you age, an older building may have much different maintenance issues than a new one.

Key areas to inspect and maintain:

• Inside and outside the car

• Machine room

• Top of car

• Pit

2. Take your medicine when it’s time for a modernization

Let’s face it: There is no convenient time for an elevator to be out-of-service, but using outdated, obsolete, or possibly faulty equipment poses a serious risk. There will come a time when a modernization is needed. If you are experiencing frequent complaints, emergencies, or fixes, it may be time to consider one. At some point, repairs will no longer be possible, as older parts can become obsolete.

Remember that when it comes time for modernization, planning is crucial, especially for buildings with only one elevator. There is the bidding process, the permitting process, the lead time required to manufacture the equipment for your specific job, and the installation time – an average of one week per floor. You must apply for permits outlining the work that will be involved, including code references for each item in question, and layout drawings.

Being proactive and not waiting until an elevator is shut down can often save two to three months over the entire process.

3. Prevention is the key to avoiding bigger health problems

You must take preventive measures to ensure elevators operate correctly for as long as possible. It also reduces the need for major, more costly repairs. Preventive maintenance includes inspection, lubrication, and adjustment.

4. Do your part to maintain elevators on a daily basis.

There are ways to help elevators work properly in between official inspections and visits from a service provider:

• Avoid using industrial cleaners in elevators – Many industrial cleaners can corrode and damage the internal mechanisms of an elevator. Ask your elevator contractor for recommendations on what to use.

• Don’t overload elevators – Putting too much weight in an elevator can lead to faster wear and tear. The recommendation is not to transport anything over three-quarters of the elevator’s total maximum capacity. Once in a while might not hurt, but if this happens on a regular basis, you could be looking at repair or replacement much sooner.

Follow these doctor’s orders and you can help keep your elevators in the peak of health as long as possible. And if you’re looking for a South Florida elevator partner committed to excellent service, contact Connections Elevator today for a free consultation. We have a 99% retention and referral rate, we’re local, and our main priority is always our customers – and the smooth operation of their elevators.