TeamWe all know that preventive maintenance in any regard is considerably more effective and cost-efficient than repair or replacements. The same holds true for elevators.
As with any other household fixture, maintaining and taking care of your elevators right from the beginning will make them easier to maintain and financially feasible.
Considering this, we have compiled some top maintenance tips so you can have a durable and smooth experience with your home elevators.
Why Maintenance of Home Elevators is Crucial
Although elevators appear to have a simple function of going up and down, they actually perform very complex functions. To ensure the smoothness of these functions elevators require regular maintenance. Following these maintenance tips will ensure your and your loved ones’ security. Furthermore, it;
Prevents Injury
Even though elevators are a form of comfort and provide ease in our everyday life. Yet, on the downside, any malfunctioning in the system can also lead to terrible accidents.
Cuts Down Service Expenses
Elevator services are not cheap but they are inevitable in case your elevator shows any red signal. Even though services are mandatory, yet with regular maintenance and surveillance the number of service visits can reduce to a remarkable extent.
Types of Home Elevators?
There are 2 different types of home elevators. You must be aware of the type of your elevator to maintain each accordingly.
Hydraulic Elevators
A hydraulic elevator has a cylinder in the basement, attached to the bottom of the elevator. A pump forces fluid from a tank into the cylinder. Once the fluid pumps into the cylinder, the elevator car rises.
Once the car reaches its destination, it opens and the pressure is released. Then the next person enters, and down they go.
Traction Elevators
In this lift, an electric motor drives the elevator cars up and down, and steel cables attached to the elevators’ tops make the operation possible. These elevators operate precisely by a system of sophisticated sensors and highly specialized computers. The computer system is usually located in a service room at the top of the elevator shaft.
How to Self-Maintain Your Elevator at Home?
To ensure that your home elevator is functioning properly, follow these steps regularly.
Checking Door Tracks
Clean the elevator door tracks to prevent dirt from accumulating. One of the most common causes of problems is a failure to keep the door tracks clean, resulting in the need for professional service.
Checking Door Safety Device
Make sure the door closing safety devices are working properly. You can test this by opening and closing the door. It is a critical aspect to check. Considering that your children must be using the lift as well if the door safety device is malfunctioning it can cause terrible accidents.
Checking Elevator Room on Regular Basis
Make sure the elevator room is regularly inspected for any signs of leakage, abnormal smells, or sounds. Pay attention to anything that sounds or smells unusual. Attempt to find the cause of the problem, and if you cannot resolve it or you are still not sure, call the service provider immediately.
Keep the Elevator Room Tidy and Clean
It is important to keep elevator service rooms clean. Always keep the temperature of the elevator service rooms at room temperature. And at all times, the room should be dry, well-ventilated, and clean.
Ensure the Car Leveling
Inspect the elevator car leveling. If the floor of an elevator car does not match up with the ground outside, it’s not level. Again, do not ignore this issue and seek help right away.
Checking Elevator Pit (Bottom of Elevator Shaft)
You should check the elevator pit regularly to make sure there are no obstructions or accumulating water. An elevator pit is an area below the elevator shaft. Check if there are any pumps in these elevator pits. Make sure that they are working properly by checking and running them periodically.
Tracking Elevator Operating Speed
You should also check your elevator operating speed. If it’s not aligned with the expected speed, it is time that your elevator needs service. Stop using it immediately, until the issue goes away.
Door Closing Pressure
It is crucial to check door closing pressure on every visit.
Professional Service
Despite regular inspections and maintenance, incidents that result in injury may still happen. So, If any malfunctions such as burned-out lights, loose handrails, or broken buttons arise, you should not wait to inform your elevator service provider.
The best way to ensure safety requires professional service regardless of precautions and maintenance. And whether you have a hydraulic or traction elevator, the maintenance of your elevator system, once in a while, must be undertaken by a certified elevator technician.
This ensures that your elevator is regularly seen by professionals.
