Do you have a lift installed at your commercial or public building? Whether it’s an open platform lift outside, a goods lift inside your commercial kitchen, or a conventional passenger lift, the last thing you want to endure is ongoing repairs.
For one, staff and customers will have to take the stairs, which – in a busy environment – can impact the efficiency of the business. But when lifts are out of order, people who are disabled or have reduced mobility cannot access the services on varying levels.
So, what should you do?
Regular lift maintenance and servicing are key to ensuring lifts are in working order. And knowing when your lift needs repairing to ensure the safety of users can also be helpful.
Here the UK’s leading provider of platform lifts, Level Access Lifts, explain the most obvious signs to keep an eye out for.
4 tell-tale signs your lift needs to be repaired or replaced
- It’s operating slower than usual
Although they are designed to withstand heavy loads, all lifts suffer from wear and tear over time, and constant use can cause them to slow down.
If your lift is taking longer to travel between floors, or the doors are taking a while to open, it may be time to contact a professional. After all, the longer you leave it, the worse it will get.
- It’s making strange noises
Lifts are supposed to run smoothly and silently – so if you notice an odd sound coming from your lift, it’s important to get it looked at immediately.
Though you could argue it’s a sign of old age, unusual noises could be an indicator that one of the components needs repairing. Of course, having your lift serviced by a trained engineer will help to identify the cause of the irritating sound and eliminate the risk of mechanical failure.
- It keeps breaking down
Are the doors not opening? Do they not close when you need them to? Perhaps the lift refuses to work entirely, leaving you with no option but to take the stairs.
If you’re experiencing problems regularly, take this as a sign that your lift is on its way out or in dire need of a repair.
You might consider holding off with the repairs in a bid to save some money, but this could exacerbate the problem – meaning you’ll increase the risk of inconveniencing your employees and customers and also spend more on repairs and replacements.
- It’s old
With proper maintenance, lifts can last anywhere up to 30 years. However, much like anything else, they don’t last forever, and they will eventually need to be replaced or repaired.
Another thing to be mindful of is that the older your lift is, the harder it is to source parts – meaning second-hand parts will be used to repair your lift. In the long run, paying out to have your lift repaired this way could end up being more expensive than investing in a new lift for your facility.
Could you benefit from having a new lift installed?
A complete lift replacement may seem unnecessary – not to mention costly – but sometimes it can be the most cost-effective solution.
A brand new lift could provide you with better technology and operate more efficiently, which in turn saves you money on your energy bills. You can also relax knowing that, should anything go wrong, the parts are easy to source and your lift won’t be out of action for too long.
If you’ve got the space, you might opt to install a bigger lift or a different type of lift to make areas more accessible to everyone – including those with wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and prams.
Get in touch with Level Access Lifts today
If you’ve been toying with the idea of installing a new lift at your building, Level Access Lifts are the people to call.
We supply and install platform lifts and other lifting solutions for customers across the length and breadth of the country – ranging from high street retailers to educational buildings, banks, restaurants, warehouses, apartments, and more. As part of our comprehensive service, we also provide servicing to ensure that your lift operates efficiently for as long as possible.
If you’d like to know more about the different lifts we provide or to discuss your requirements with our experts, call 023 8081 4924 or email info@levellifts.co.uk, and we’ll be in touch.
