Commercial lifts are crucial to your building’s infrastructure and play a key role in facilitating the overall accessibility of your space. From offices to shopping centers, healthcare facilities, and other essentials, lifts ensure everyone has an equal chance to access your building and navigate safely and comfortably. Over time, however, lifts, like any other mechanical fixture, can begin to encounter common issues that can lead to slowdowns and partial or even full unit failures. While maintenance and routine upkeep can help to reduce the chance of such incidences occurring, knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we have when it comes to prevention. At RAM Elevators + Lifts, we know just how important it is to keep your commercial lifts operational for safety, efficiency, and accessibility. Below, we’ll identify some of the top culprits that can lead to non-functionality. Read on to learn more!
Overloading and Excessive Use
One of the most common culprits for lift breakdowns is overloading or excessive use. Commercial models are built to withstand a fair amount of use and handle regular traffic. However, if the lift is constantly overloaded or used improperly, the motor may be subjected to undue strain, as are other key mechanical components. This strain can wear out cables and pulleys, damage control systems, and eventually lead to sudden shutdowns and costly repairs.
Educating staff on proper usage and having clearly identifiable rules for tenants/guests, including weight limits, can help reduce the risks of overloading and subsequent damage, protecting your unit and minimizing damage.
Wear and Tear on Components
Even the best-cared-for lifts will eventually experience wear and tear, especially in high-traffic environments like retail stores, office buildings, and more. Over time, pulleys, cables, doors, and control systems will begin to degrade, leading to jerky movements, noisy function, and, eventually, unit failure without proper care. Stay on top of regular maintenance and care to extend the life of your components
Electrical Issues and Power Surges
Commercial lifts are powered by complex electrical systems, and while they include safety features that help them handle unexpected surges, severe fluxes, outages, and faulty wiring can lead to sudden issues and significant malfunctions. Always stay on top of any early signs of electrical issues (slower movement, flashing lights, etc) and act quickly at the first sign of trouble to avoid costly repairs.
Environmental Factors: Dust, Moisture, and Temperature Fluctuations
Environmental conditions can dramatically impact lift functionality, especially in climates that experience significant weather pattern changes seasonally, as well as an increase in moisture content during winter and spring. Dust, humidity, temperature fluctuations and more can affect mechanical performance by causing core parts to experience higher degrees of friction or clogging and corrosion that begins to physically degrade metal parts over time.
Being aware of the environmental dangers presented by excess moisture, temperature, and other factors can help you stay proactive by encouraging you to stay on top of regular cleaning and inspection and choosing trusted products like RAM’s Flex Lift, which are built with high-grade, weather-resistant materials.
Outdated Technology and Lack of Upgrades
Modern technology has significantly improved older lift designs, meaning that outdated models are less likely to be as efficient or reliable as newer units. While it may be tempting to wait for your current model to become obsolete, it’s often more cost-effective to act beforehand and either retrofit or install a newer unit before you’re left with no choice but to do so. Newer models will operate better, provide you with enhanced energy efficiency, and avoid the need for constant repair that eats through your budget over time.
Proactive Maintenance with RAM Elevators and Lifts
Understanding the common causes of commercial lift breakdowns is a great first step in ensuring long-term reliability and performance. At RAM Elevators +Lifts, we specialize in designing, installing, and maintaining commercial lifts built to handle the demands of daily use. Our team is here to provide you with quality solutions tailored to your specific needs, ensuring peace of mind and smooth performance year-round.
Learn more by contacting our team today!