In the event something goes wrong, do you know what to do if your lift stops working?
Whether your elevator stops working due to a lack of preventative maintenance or something else, this can be not only be a frustrating situation, but it can also be incredibly inconvenient.
If you happen to be inside of the elevator when it stops working, it can also be scary and stressful in addition to frustrating and inconvenient.
Do you know what to do if your lift stops working?
If you’re on an elevator and it stops working, the first thing you should do is remember to stay calm. Try taking a deep breath and remind yourself these situations are usually resolved before long.
For many passengers in a stalled elevator, their biggest concern (next to claustrophobia) is the fear of the elevator falling.
You can rest assured that when a modern elevator breaks down, security systems and automatic braking locks go into action to prevent the elevator car from moving or falling. Even if there’s a power failure, these locking mechanisms will work.
We hope that eases your mind somewhat about what can happen in an elevator. You can also learn more about elevator fail-safe mechanisms here.
So, we know you’re supposed to stay calm, but what should you do next?
All commercial elevators and residential elevators will have an “emergency button” or a “call button” that will contact either building management or emergency services. If no one answers your call, you can try banging on the elevator door to get the attention of other people in the building. Most of us carry cell phones at all times, and you can also use your phone to call for help.
While you wait for help, it’s important to do just that: wait. Don’t try to pry open the doors or escape by yourself. Wait for the professionals to arrive and get you out safely once they work their lift repair magic.
Lift repair
When help arrives, they will first need to determine why the elevator has stopped working before they begin lift repair. In some cases, it could be a simple fix or something like a short-circuit in an electrical system. Other times, it’s more complicated.
At Rise Above Elevator, we get questions about what to do if a residential elevator stops working. Although residential elevators are an incredibly safe and convenient way to travel from floor to floor in your home, they occasionally break down. But this typically only occurs if the elevator hasn’t been maintained properly.
So, if you experience:
- A complete shut down
- Loud noises
- Elevator cab shaking or vibrating
- Or possibly a loved one becomes stuck in the cab
It’s time to call us right away!
Any of these situations can be nerve-wracking. If they occur, don’t hesitate to call us to get one of our skilled technicians out to your home to diagnose and repair your lift. We don’t believe in keeping our customers waiting. That’s why we offer 24-hour emergency service, as well. There’s always a trained technician monitoring the phone nights, weekends, and holidays. Just call our line and if nobody answers we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Elevator lift maintenance
As we mentioned, regular elevator maintenance is crucial for preventing issues with your elevator. Different elevators require different kinds of maintenance, although most residential elevators are fairly low-maintenance.
Because elevator equipment consists of a complex system of many moving parts and mechanisms, routine maintenance is still required. This consists of lubricating all areas of your lift that need it, as well as cleaning all moving parts and electrical contacts to ensure efficient electrical continuity. Over time, bolts in your elevator can loosen and will need to be tightened.
Another reason performing regular maintenance is so important is that it can also allow a trained technician to have a better chance of diagnosing a potential future issues before they happen.
To help make the elevator lift maintenance process easier, we’ve created this useful checklist, and we also offer elevator maintenance plans.
Questions to ask during elevator lift installation
During your elevator installation, be sure to speak to the technician and ask questions about the maintenance requirements of your lift, as well as what you can expect if your lift requires service.
We get a lot of questions about home elevator emergency preparedness during a power outage. Conveniently, all of our residential elevators have a long list of standard safety features, and perhaps the most significant features are those that help you deal with power outages. This includes battery backups, emergency lighting and alarms, and an optional in-car phone. Have a look at this blog post where we cover this topic in greater detail.
For more information or if you require elevator service, repair, or maintenance in South Florida, give us a call today so we can help!