Lift service and maintenance
How often does a lift need service?
Different lifts have different required service intervals. We will connect you with the local Cibes Symmetry distributor to define the requirements of your lift or elevator.
What is the lifespan of a lift?
A Cibes Symmetry lift typically has a lifespan of 20-35 years before it reaches the end of its cost-efficient life. This does not mean all lifts need replacing when they reach this age limit. Regular maintenance, usage, and partial modernization can keep a lift running safely and efficiently for 35+ years.
What factors shorten the lifespan?
While residential lifts provide years of service, certain factors can shorten a lift’s lifespan. Here are some of the most important:
Lack of regular maintenance
Without periodic maintenance, breakdowns are more likely and repair bills slowly become more expensive.
Environmental factors
Depending on the type of lift, highly humid environments, exposure to water, and extreme temperatures may reduce the working life of a home lift.
Care and handling
A roughly used lift is more likely to need repair work. Failure to keep an old lift clean can lead to debris and dirt that affects the controls, damages trim and cladding, or impairs the function of car doors.
How can you extend the life of your lift?
There are several ways to extend the life of your lift.
Lift installation
Your lifts efficiency begins with its installation. When a qualified and experienced technician installs an lift, it operates at peak performance, reducing the risk of costly breakdowns, repairs, or parts replacements.
Regular maintenance
Scheduling regular maintenance and semi-annual inspections with lift technicians helps to keep your lift in good working order and identify minor issues before they worsen into expensive repairs.
Keeping a written record
Maintaining a written record of all maintenance visits and repairs helps service technicians identify and resolve issues promptly.
Partial modernization
After about twenty years, talk to your service technician about upgrading your lift. Depending on how your lift has aged, partial modernization may include replacing motors and gear systems for smoother rides, replacing control panels, or giving your lift car a fresh look with new paneling, fixtures, lighting, or handrails.
What to do if your lift shows an error code?
While it is not a common occurrence, from time to time a lift may display an error code. Error codes are usually shown on the digital position indicator (DPI) which also reflects the current location of the lift car. In the case that an error code is shown on your DPI, there are a few things that you can do before you call your local home lift company for assistance.
- Are the elevator car door/gate and the hoistway door closed? Have hoistway locking mechanisms been engaged? If the elevator car and hoistway doors and gates have not been properly closed, the elevator cannot respond to calls to and from other landings. Try to open and securely close all doors/gates prior to calling your home elevator company.
- Has the in-car emergency stop button been activated? If the emergency stop has been activated, the elevator will reflect an error code. Typically, when the stop switch is returned to the “run” position, the elevator will return to normal operation.
- Is there power to the elevator? In the case of a power outage, it is best to wait for power to be restored prior to attempting to use the elevator.
- Has the elevator received regular service? Sometimes, an error code may simply indicate that the elevator is due for standard maintenance.
Still not working properly?
If all of the items above have been checked and the elevator is still not functioning properly, a technician’s assistance is likely required. Servicing your elevator is not a task you should take on yourself. Residential elevator technicians are professionals who have been properly trained to resolve any issue you may encounter. If you have any questions about your home elevator, have an error code that requires attention, or need to schedule maintenance, contact your local home elevator company.
Find your dealer
Our local dealers are always happy to help if you have questions or need more information about our products and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my lift is not working as normal?
Elevators are designed to ensure the safety of the passenger. If one of the many checkpoints along the chain of safety is breached, the lift will not move. With the redundant safeties available on VPLs, it can sometimes appear that everything is fine, but the lift will not run.Check your elevatorHere are a few quick things to check prior to calling for service on your elevator.1. The controls of a platform lift are required to use constant pressure to make the lift run. Make sure you press and hold the control when trying to move.2. Ensure that the emergency stop switch is in the run position. The switch is pulled out to run and is pushed in to stop the lift. Confirm you have pulled the stop switch out. Often times an alarm will sound when the stop is activated.3. The lift will not operate if any gate and/or door is not completely closed. Make sure that all of the gates and/or doors are closed. The door at the destination landing must be closed and locked. All other doors MUST BE CLOSED AND LOCKED, or the lift will not operate.4. On an unenclosed lift, ensure that there are no obstructions under the platform. An under-platform safety device is provided on all unenclosed lifts. If the lift is traveling down and encounters an obstruction, it will cease traveling in the down direction. However, the lift will be able to travel up and away from the obstruction. After the obstruction has been removed, the lift will function like normal.5. Ensure that there is power to the lift.Call a ProfessionalIf you have exhausted these remedies and the lift still will not operate a service call will be required. Local elevator service providers usually have a technician on call 24 hours a day, so you always have service available.I have a vacation home which will sit vacant for several months at a time; what can I do to make sure my elevator works properly when I return?
In all circumstances, it is advisable to schedule a maintenance visit to ensure your elevator is in peak operating condition prior to use. If you have an electric drive elevator, when closing your home for an extended period, all you have to do is power the elevator down when leaving and re-power upon your return. If you have a hydraulic drive elevator, you have the option to add an exercise timer. The exercise timer will run the elevator up and down on a preset schedule, lubricating the elevator, reducing maintenance expenses.
How do I clean my elevator?
The type of cleaning agents used to clean residential lifts and elevators is important and should be included in the manufacturer’s operating manual. Here is an overview:- Start by dusting all surfaces in the elevator to avoid dirt and dust accumulation.
- Use furniture cleaning solutions to clean and polish wood panels and accessories.
- Disinfect the buttons on hall calls, car operating panels, handrails, and gate handles often. When doing this, make sure you use the proper cleaning agent. We explained this further in the blog.
- Clean mirrored surfaces and glass panels with standard glass cleaners.
- Vacuum and shampoo carpeting and rugs as you would any high-traffic area.
- Cleaning the elevator doors is an important part of cleaning your lift. Obstructions in the door can cause performance issues. Clean up any spills or mess around elevator doors promptly, and routinely check that door pathways are clear of debris.
How often should a elevator be serviced?
To properly maintain you elevator and extend its life, we recommend that our customers have maintenance performed every 6 months as standard.
How can I register my warranty?
You can register your guarantee using the form on this page.