Extending the Life of Old Lifts

Extending the Life of Old Lifts

Don’t Let Your Legacy Lift Become a Liability

Is your building’s aging lift giving you sleepless nights? The creaks, groans, and occasional breakdowns are more than just inconveniences. Old lifts are potential safety hazards, costly disruptions to business, and a constant source of anxiety for building owners and managers.

We understand. At Tower Lifts, we’ve spent two decades helping businesses across the UK navigate the complexities of older lift systems. We know the unique challenges they present, and we’ve developed proven strategies to extend their lifespan, improve their safety, and give you peace of mind.

In this blog, we’ll take a close look at the risks associated with old lifts, consider the benefits of proactive maintenance and modernisation, and share practical advice on partnering with a trusted lift company. Whether you’re based in an historic building, or a modern refurbished one, we can help you keep your lift running smoothly for years to come.

Beyond the Expected Lifespan – Upgrading Safety and Performance for Old Lifts

Like any complex piece of machinery, lifts have a finite lifespan. While the average lift can reliably serve your building for 15-25 years, the passage of time inevitably takes its toll. Old lifts, especially those exceeding their expected lifespan, present unique challenges, and heightened risks.

Here’s what can happen as lifts get older:

  • Increased breakdowns – As components wear down, the likelihood of malfunctions and breakdowns increases, leading to disruptions, inconvenience, and potential safety hazards.
  • Declining safety – Outdated safety features may not meet current standards, putting passengers at risk.
  • Poor performance – Old lifts can become slower, less efficient, and more prone to jerky movements, impacting the overall user experience.
  • Aging appearance – Wear and tear can diminish the appearance of your lift, creating a negative impression for visitors and tenants.

However, with the right approach, you can extend the life of old lifts and overcome these risks. Ongoing, proactive maintenance is crucial. Regular inspections, timely repairs, and replacement of worn parts can significantly improve your lift’s reliability and safety.

For a more comprehensive and lasting solution, consider lift modernisation. Tower Lifts has extensive experience of breathing new life into older lift systems, replacing outdated components with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient technologies, ensuring compliance with the latest safety standards, and reinvigorating the lift’s appearance.

Proactive Care for Old Lifts with Regular Servicing and Maintenance

Regular servicing and maintenance are the key to lift longevity, especially for older systems. It’s like a regular check-up for your lift, ensuring it stays in peak condition and addressing minor issues before they escalate into major problems.

Here’s what a comprehensive maintenance plan can do for your aging lift:

• Identify and resolve problems early – Regular inspections by qualified lift engineers can catch wear and tear, potential malfunctions, and safety concerns before they cause disruptions or accidents.

• Extend lifespan – By addressing minor issues promptly and replacing worn parts, you can prolong the life of your lift.

• Improved performance – Proper maintenance ensures smooth operation, less downtime, and keeps your lift running efficiently.

• Safety compliance – Regular checks and updates to safety components help ensure your lift meets current standards and protects passengers.

• Save money – Proactive maintenance can prevent costly breakdowns and repairs down the line.

• Peace of mind – Knowing your lift is well-maintained gives you confidence in its reliability and safety.

However, it’s important to understand the limitations of maintenance. While it can address many age-related issues, it can’t reverse the effects of time completely. For old lifts with aging technology or significant wear and tear, modernisation may be the most effective solution to ensure optimal performance, safety, and longevity.

Lift Modernisation – Breathing New Life Into Old Lifts

Lift modernisation is a transformative process that goes beyond repairs and regular maintenance. It involves upgrading key components of your lift system to enhance its performance, safety, efficiency, and aesthetics. Think of it as a rejuvenation for your aging lift, bringing it up to par with modern standards and technology.

What Does Lift Modernisation Involve?

Lift modernisation can be tailored to your specific needs and budget. Some common modernisation options include:

  • Controller upgrades – Replacing outdated control systems with modern, microprocessor-based controllers can significantly improve lift speed, reliability, and energy efficiency.
  • Motor and drive upgrades – Upgrading the motor and drive system can result in smoother journeys, reduced noise levels, and lower energy consumption.
  • Door operator upgrades – Modernising door operators can enhance safety, reduce door opening and closing times, and improve accessibility.
  • Cabin refurbishment – Refurbishing the lift cabin with new finishes, lighting, and fixtures can create a more welcoming and modern atmosphere.
  • Safety feature upgrades – Adding or updating safety features like emergency lighting, alarms, and communication systems ensures compliance with current standards and improves passenger safety.

Benefits of Lift Modernisation

Modernisation prioritises the safety of passengers by incorporating advanced safety features and cutting-edge components. This reduces the risk of accidents and ensures compliance with the latest safety regulations. Additionally modernised lifts operate more smoothly and efficiently, which improves the experience of using them for your employees, and visitors.

Benefits of Lift Modernisation

The improvements implemented by modernisation can also increase the overall value of your property, making it a more attractive prospect for potential buyers or tenants. Upgrading to energy-efficient components, can significantly reduce your lift’s energy consumption, leading to lower operating costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Plus, a cabin refurbishment will contributing to a more attractive impression for visitors.

Maintenance and Modernisation – A Powerful Partnership

While modernisation can significantly improve your lift’s performance, it’s important to remember that it’s not a substitute for regular maintenance. A comprehensive maintenance plan, coupled with strategic modernisation upgrades, is the most effective way to ensure the long-term health, safety, and efficiency of your lift system.

Why Trust Tower Lifts to Rejuvenate Your Aging Lift?

At Tower Lifts, we understand the unique challenges and concerns associated with old lifts. For over two decades, we’ve been revitalising legacy lifts across the UK, delivering efficient, results-driven solutions that prioritise safety, performance, and longevity.

Here’s why we’re the ideal partner for your lift modernisation project:

  • Unmatched Expertise in Older Lifts- Our engineers have extensive experience working with legacy lift systems. We know how to address age-related issues effectively.
  • Comprehensive, In-House Solutions – From detailed assessments to expert installation and thorough testing, the Tower Lifts team handles every aspect of your lift modernisation in-house.
  • Proven Success with Old Lifts Systems – We have managed the successful transformations of numerous old lifts over the past two decades, extending their lifespan and optimising their performance.
  • Ongoing Support and Maintenance – We don’t just modernise your lift; we help you keep it running smoothly for years to come. Our maintenance and servicing contracts, backed by our ISO9001:2015 LiftCert and UKAS accreditations, guarantee adherence to the highest safety and regulatory standards.

Ready to give your old lift a new lease on life? Contact Tower Lifts today to discuss how we can tailor a modernisation solution to enhance your lift’s safety, performance, and longevity, while minimising disruption to your operations.

Tower Lifts London lift team can design and install a varied range of lifts throughout the UK including:

Domestic Lifts • Food Lifts • Bespoke Platform Lifts • Service Lifts • Platform Lifts • Goods Lifts • Scenic Lifts • Heavy Duty / Car Lifts • Passenger Lifts • Dumbwaiter Lifts • MRL Lifts • Fire lifts • Residential Lifts • low-Headroom Lifts