What Good Lift Maintenance Looks Like, in Three Photos

Written by Andy Verey

It’s not always easy to tell whether your lift is being properly maintained. Most building managers only really notice when something goes wrong. But when good maintenance is happening, there are clear signs if you know where to look.

Here are three photos from recent visits by our engineers. Together they show what we think good maintenance should look like.

Three signs your lift is well maintained
1A tidy motor room
2A log card that’s filled in
3A clean lift pit

1. A tidy motor room

Tidy hydraulic lift motor room with labelled isolator, controller cabinet and red power unit

The motor room is where the lift’s controller and drive equipment live. In this case it’s a hydraulic lift, so the red unit is the power pack that pumps oil to raise the car.

A well-kept motor room should have:

  • ✓Clear floor space so engineers can work safely
  • ✓Isolators and switches clearly labelled
  • ✓Cables routed neatly through trunking, not trailing across the floor
  • ✓Up-to-date safety signage on display
A cluttered or dirty motor room makes faults harder to spot and slows down repairs. It’s also often a sign that other parts of the lift aren’t getting much attention either.

2. A log card that’s actually filled in

Lift visitor record card filled in with dated maintenance entries

Every visit should be recorded. This log card shows each attendance with the date, what was done, and whether the lift was left in service.

This matters for a few reasons:

  • ✓You can see exactly what work has been carried out and when
  • ✓Repeat faults stand out, so the root cause can be fixed
  • ✓It gives you a record to show insurers and inspectors if needed
If your log card is blank or only has the odd entry, it’s worth asking your maintenance provider what’s being done on each visit.

3. A clean lift pit

Clean lift pit with painted floor and buffers

The pit is the space at the bottom of the lift shaft. It’s out of sight, so it’s easy for dust, debris and oil to build up there.

A clean pit lets engineers check the buffers, guide rails and equipment properly. It also cuts the fire risk from rubbish collecting under the lift car. Keeping it clean is a small job that makes a real difference.

Good maintenance means reliable lifts

Good maintenance = good, reliable lifts.
A tidy motor room, a proper record of every visit and a clean pit are basic standards. But they’re the standards that keep a lift running reliably and help avoid breakdowns.

If you’re not sure how often your lift should be serviced, read our guide on how often your lift should be serviced. If you’re reviewing your current provider, our post on what to look for in a lift maintenance contract is a good place to start.

Want your lift looked after properly?
Get in touch with the VLS team to talk about maintenance for your building.
Contact the VLS team
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