No one likes when something they use frequently—like a cell phone or a favorite mug—breaks, but when your elevator malfunctions, your concerns are amplified. You may have concerns over safety and how long it will take your elevator to be up and running—and if your elevator is in a commercial setting, these concerns can be very urgent.
Luckily, with great technicians, elevator repairs can be addressed in a timely manner to prevent lengthy shutdowns. The likelihood of elevator malfunctioning can also be lessened by regular maintenance. However, there is always room for the unknown. If you’re curious about what repairs might arise if you own a commercial or residential elevator for a long period of time, below is a list of 7 of the most common repairs we see at Genesis Elevator. Keep reading for what the repairs entail and how to possibly avoid further repairs in the future.
1. Door Operator
Door operators do exactly what they sound like they do. They’re responsible for closing and opening the elevator doors whenever a button is pressed.
For a feature with a simple function, door operators contain many moving parts. In fact, this piece of equipment has more moving parts than most features of an elevator. Because the door operator is in constant use, it experiences frequent wear and tear. For this reason, door operator failure is relatively common—especially for commercial elevators.
Not to fear, though: most door operator failure does not lead to passengers being trapped inside the elevator (although it can). Most door operator malfunctioning leads to the elevator doors not opening or closing fully or opening and closing at the wrong times.
Door operator replacement is one of the more costly repairs to make given their frequency of use, but it is a worthy investment to make for the same reason.
2. Safety Edge/Door Sensor
An elevator’s safety edge, also called a door sensor, is the device that “perceives” people coming in and going out of the elevator. It’s assembled on the elevator doorway and consists of a narrow and elongated electronic transmitter frame.
Door sensors are made to accommodate people or objects standing in the door frame. If the sensor ceases operation, the doors will close at scheduled times and they will not accommodate for people or objects in the door frame. Since most people are used to elevator doors detecting their presence and re-opening as needed to let them through, a malfunctioning safety edge can be dangerous. If your safety edge needs repairing, give your sales representative at Genesis a call today for pricing.
3. Elevator Jack
This next repair is relevant for hydraulic elevators. If you own a hydraulic elevator, the jack is the central component that raises and lowers your elevator load.
Because the jack is a central component of your elevator’s functioning, newer hydraulic models include features that protect the jack from harmful environmental impacts that lead to corrosion. Some of these environmental factors include salt and chemicals in the soil, as well as groundwater and electric current in the surrounding area. Most new jacks now contain a protective coating as a shield against corrosive elements. Sometimes, older models don’t have this protection, leaving the jack component more vulnerable to wear and tear.
Jacks are far and away the most expensive piece of elevator equipment to replace. For pricing, reach out to your Genesis sales representative.
4. Hydraulic Pump and Motor
The hydraulic pump and motor is a complex piece of machinery that includes one or more hydraulic cylinders, as well as an electronically controlled valve and an oil reservoir. Many modern pumps and motors are designed to run quietly and smoothly, but they can also age quickly.
If your elevator is frequently re-leveling or is stopping and starting in an erratic manner, these can be signs that your hydraulic pump system is deteriorating due to old age. If you suspect that your pump and motor need repairing, give Genesis a call for pricing.
5. Re-Roping
The ropes that provide the physical means to move your elevator up and down are extremely important. Many individuals are not careful with their storage and operation, which leads to aging and degradation at an increased rate. Your ropes should be stored in a clean and dry area, without access to dirt, rain, or direct sunlight.
They should also be cleaned and maintained often, which is why professionals take it upon themselves to follow all manufacturer instructions when installing ropes in a new elevator set-up. Damage to the ropes can lead to strain on the elevator itself and slowed operation of the machine. Replacing ropes is well worth the money and peace of mind if you find damage to your ropes.
6. Elevator Controller
If there is a “brain” in your elevator, it is the elevator controller. The elevator controller is the electronic system that regulates speed, levelling, door controls, and the operation of the emergency buttons. It’s typically located outside of the elevator. A malfunctioning elevator controller can be catastrophic, which is why it should be maintained often. For pricing, reach out to Genesis today.
Luckily, the elevator controller is one of the least likely pieces of machinery on an elevator to break physically, as there’s no physical toll placed on it during regular operation. Short circuiting or malfunctioning is still possible, however.
7. Elevator Button Panel
Most commonly, if your elevator button panel fails, it’s because of a power outage. If your panel’s buttons aren’t working properly, you should have them replaced immediately. Give your sales representative at Genesis a call today for pricing.
Is There a Way to Avoid Repairs?
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent the possibility of any malfunctioning, a good rule of thumb is that the more consistently you receive maintenance and elevator checkups, the more you’ll know about the state of your elevator and catch any signs of deterioration as they pop up. Regular maintenance lowers the likelihood of more serious repairs from springing up, and because of this it can also save you money in the long run.
In the case that you do need repairs on your commercial or residential elevator, Genesis Elevator upholds a 24 hour rule to ensure that we get to you as soon as possible. Our call and dispatch center is available 24/7 because your safety and convenience is important to us.
About Genesis Elevator:
Genesis was founded on simple ideas: provide exceptional customer service; design safe, reliable, luxury elevators; and offer complete vertical mobility solutions to homeowners, architects, builders and developers. Serving Metro Atlanta and most of Georgia, also serving Naples, Tampa, Orlando, and Springhill, Florida regions. For more information, visit https://geproduction.wpengine.com/.
