Preventative Maintenance vs. Reactive Repair

There are two ways to manage an elevator: fix it when it breaks (reactive) or maintain it so it doesn't break (preventative). The financial difference between these two approaches is staggering.

The High Cost of downtime

Reactive repair usually happens at the worst possible time—during peak hours or holidays. The costs stack up quickly:

• Emergency Service Rates: Often 2x or 3x the standard labor rate.
• Expedited Shipping: Overnight air freight for parts adds hundreds or thousands to the bill.
• Tenant Dissatisfaction: Extended downtime leads to complaints and potentially lost leases.

The Preventative Approach

Preventative maintenance involves inspecting and replacing wear components before they fail. Key components to monitor include:

1. Door Operator Parts

Over 70% of elevator callbacks are door-related. Stocking spare door rollers, belts, and clutch components is a low-cost strategy to prevent the most common failure type.

2. Guide Shoes and Gibs

Worn guide shoes lead to rail damage and poor ride quality. Regular replacement protects the expensive steel rails.

3. PCB and Relay Logic

Electronic components have a finite life. Keeping critical spare boards on-site or having a reliable supplier like EECO ensures you aren't waiting weeks for a controller board.

Data-Driven Maintenance

Modern maintenance isn't just guess work. By tracking callback data and component lifecycles, you can predict when a part is due for replacement. EECO supports this by providing estimated lifecycle data for all our major components.

Conclusion

Spending a fraction of your budget on critical spares and preventative replacement saves exponential amounts in emergency repairs. Smart managers stock parts; reactive managers pay premiums.