Maintenance is a consideration for any type of elevator or lift you’re installing in your home or building, and the realm of dumbwaiters is no exception here. Dumbwaiters, which are used to move materials between levels of any structure, will need some basic upkeep over time — but this will be limited if you take the right steps and keep the equipment in good shape through the years.

At A+ Elevators & Lifts, we’re here to offer the very best residential and commercial lift systems for clients throughout Utah, including elevators, dumbwaiters, wheelchair lifts and many others. What are some simple maintenance themes to consider for your dumbwaiter, why do they matter, and how can you limit how often such upkeep needs to be performed? Here’s a general primer.

Kinds of Maintenance Dumbwaiters Require

There are just a few areas you should be keeping in mind when it comes to dumbwaiter maintenance:

  • Cleaning: Using professional solvents and cleaners, you should be regularly cleaning all the exposed surfaces of your dumbwaiter — this includes both the interior and exterior. Not only will this help it look its best, but also it will prevent dirt and debris from interfering with any of the moving parts.
  • Chain and Cable: Lubrication is key for both the chain/cable system within your dumbwaiter and also the pulleys they’re attached to. A dry chain can cause all sorts of friction-based problems that will lead to significant wear and tear over time; a properly lubricated one, on the other hand, will keep things moving smoothly.
  • Safety lock inspection: Most dumbwaiters come with some form of safety lock system that will prevent them from being used when they’re not in proper working order. Once every month or so, you should check to make sure all these locks are engaged and functioning as they should be.
  • Checking for worn-down components: Even with the right lubrication and cleaning in place, some parts of your dumbwaiter are going to experience wear and tear over time. Once every few months, it’s a good idea to take a look at all the major components to see if anything needs to be replaced.
  • Electrical: At least every so often, you’ll want to check all the electrical connections on your dumbwaiter to make sure they’re tight and not corroded.

As you can see, there’s not a lot you need to do in terms of dumbwaiter maintenance — but it is important to stay on top of things, lest bigger problems start cropping up down the road.

Risks of Not Performing Dumbwaiter Maintenance

Here are some of the risks you expose your system to if regular dumbwaiter maintenance is not performed:

  • Low performance levels: A properly maintained dumbwaiter should be able to move materials quickly, smoothly and quietly from one level to another. If you start skipping out on some of the basic upkeep tasks listed above, though, you’ll likely find that its performance starts to degrade in all sorts of ways.
  • Increased wear and tear: In addition to reduced performance levels, failing to maintain your dumbwaiter can also cause much more rapid wear and tear for all its major components. This will not only lead to a shorter lifespan for the system as a whole, but also increased repair/replacement costs over time.
  • Strange noises: One of the first things people notice when their dumbwaiter starts to experience problems is strange noises that weren’t there before. If you start hearing rattling, screeching or banging, it’s a good indication that something has come loose and needs to be fixed.
  • Rising costs: Not only will you have to pay more for individual repairs as they come up, but you’ll also find that the cost of your monthly energy bills start to go up as well. That’s because a poorly maintained dumbwaiter has to work much harder (and uses more electricity) to do its job.
  • Safety risks: And finally, one of the most important reasons to keep up with dumbwaiter maintenance is to reduce the safety risks that come along with using the system. If any of its major components are not functioning properly, it could lead to a failure that causes serious injuries (or worse).

How to Decrease Dumbwaiter Maintenance Needs

While you can never eliminate all maintenance needs for your dumbwaiter, there are absolutely some ways to limit the wear-and-tear it receives and lower the overall upkeep requirements that come with it. Here are a few such tips:

  • Stick to the weight limit: Most dumbwaiters have a specific weight limit that they’re designed to handle; if you start regularly exceeding this, it’s going to put a lot of unnecessary strain on the system and cause all sorts of problems down the road.
  • Clean interior: Regularly cleaning the interior of your dumbwaiter (particularly the tracks) will go a long way towards keeping it running smoothly. This is something that should be done at least once a week (preferably more).
  • Use proper lubrication: Many people make the mistake of using too much lubricant on their dumbwaiters; this can actually do more harm than good, as it can attract dust and debris. Instead, use a light lubricant and apply it sparingly to any moving parts.

As you can see, there are some simple things you can do to decrease the overall maintenance needs for your dumbwaiter. By following these tips, you’ll be able to keep it running smoothly and avoid major issues.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our dumbwaiters, elevators, wheelchair lifts or other products, speak to the staff at A+ Elevators & Lifts today.