If you or a loved one has a home elevator, you already know how important they are for safety and mobility, especially for family members who are having difficulty getting around or who may be temporarily or permanently disabled. Keeping them running at top efficiency is a critical part of the equation, but sometimes it is not clear whether a repair or retrofit is the right decision over replacing an aging elevator.

Your expert elevator service provider can help you if your home elevator needs attention but keeping a few key points in mind can be beneficial as you manage your family’s needs and the maintenance needs of your elevator.

First, ask yourself the following questions:

How old is the elevator? The typical lifespan of a home elevator is 20 to 25 years, but if your elevator is used only a few times per week, it may last much longer. If you have not logged usage since your elevator was installed, try to estimate whether yours has been heavily used and consult your elevator service provider to inspect an elevator approaching 25 years or older.

Is the technology outdated? Technology changes quickly, meaning your residential elevator may be lacking in advanced features or worse, parts for repairs may be hard to come by. The good news is your elevator service provider may be able to retrofit your unit to include new safety and convenience features. Keep in mind, however, if your elevator is aging, you will first want to confirm you can still get parts if your unit needs repairs.

Is the service cost high? Depending on the repair or the retrofitting that is needed to get your elevator up to the task, you may find replacement makes more sense financially, especially if your unit is needing frequent and more substantial repairs.

Elevator maintenance makes the difference

Understand that regular maintenance can make a big difference in the lifespan of your home elevator. By scheduling regular inspections by a professional, worn parts can be replaced before they cause damage to other parts, creating a system that operates more efficiently and lasts longer. The result is a home elevator that provides many more years of service with far less incidence of emergencies.

The biggest factors that influence the lifespan of a residential elevator are regular maintenance, quality of installation, and frequency of use. You can reduce the risk of breakdowns, safety issues, and the need for emergency repairs by controlling these factors.

At Handel & Son Elevator/Lift Co., quality elevators, stairway lifts, and platform lifts, as well as dumbwaiters and material lifts, are available along with the highest quality installation and servicing. Never wonder whether your elevator or lift is safe or updated with the latest features. Contact Handel & Son today for details on servicing and the latest features available for your home elevator or click here for more information about all of Handel & Son’s services for commercial and residential elevator needs.