Learn how to save money and stay safe this hurricane season by preventing water damage and flooding to your elevator pit.
It’s that time of year again: hurricane season.
A season notorious for destroying homes and vulnerable structures (amongst other things).
This is a property manager’s worst nightmare as fierce wind and rain can bear down trees and increase chances of flooding.
Repairs and renovations for this type of damage can take weeks, not to mention cost thousands!
The last thing you should be worrying about when managing property is whether your building’s elevator is going to operate after a hurricane.
The elevator pit, for example, is extremely vulnerable to water intrusion during times of heavy rainfall since it usually runs below ground. However, taking proper steps of prevention can make a difference.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has projected 2021 to be an above average hurricane season with 6-10 hurricanes of which 3-5 will be considered major.
As a property manager, if a hurricane is forecasted to hit your area you may wonder if there is anything you can do to prevent damage to your building.
As the foundation of an elevator system, an elevator pit plays an important role to the successful functioning of a building.
This article helps highlight ways for you to keep your freight or lift elevator operations running safer while saving you thousands in repairs when preparing for inclement weather.
Hurricanes can be very destructive, so it’s extremely important to prepare and minimize as much damage as possible.
The torrential rain storms that accompany a hurricane dramatically increase the risk of your elevator pit taking in water which can lead to all sorts of problems and safety hazards.
Water in an elevator pit easily attracts mosquitos, mold, and rust, not to mention, threaten the operations of the elevator.
“With hurricane season starting on June 1, now is the time to get ready and advance disaster resilience in our communities” – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell
You can never be too sure what hurricane season will be like, which is why each year it is advised to take precautionary measures in case you are faced with intense weather conditions.
For elevator pits, there are proactive steps you can take before, during, and after a hurricane hits to minimize the high costs of water damage.
Before a hurricane
Before a hurricane hits your area is the best time to prepare and secure your elevator pit and elevator system.
As part of normal elevator pit inspection, but more significantly before hurricane season arrives, parts of your pit should be checked and maintained.
1. Check equipment
Assess the conditions of your elevator pit equipment such as your sump pump, alarms, and float switches. Similar to our article Property Manager’s Guide: How to Prevent Water Damage to Your Elevator System Before 2021 Rain Season.
2. Check openings
Make sure all the doors, vents, and other openings in the elevator machine room and hoistway walls are functioning and properly caulked. This will help prevent large amounts of water from coming through.
3. Know who to call
Don’t wait for disaster to strike before you know who to call if something goes wrong with your elevator pit. As the industry leading elevator pit waterproofing company, TG Oil Services’ mission is to serve and protect you no matter what condition your elevator pit is in. Contact us before or after a hurricane so we can inspect your elevator pit for FREE! (954) 874-0930
Hurricane approaching
When a hurricane is approaching and warnings have been issued for your area, take this as a serious precautionary notice that inclement weather will be arriving shortly.
As a property manager, now is when you can save the most money by implementing ways to protect your elevator pit.
1. Prevent flooding
Park all elevator lifts in the middle of the hoistway, a few floors above ground level. This way, if water levels rise it should not affect your elevator lift.
2. Outdoor elevators
If any of your elevators are open to the outside, consider placing sandbags along the bottom of the hoistway doors to prevent water from rushing in.
3. Close up
Close all vents and openings at the top of the hoistway and machine room to help prevent water from entering the elevator system. If you have already checked and know they are functioning as part of regular maintenance, it should be easy to secure and close all vents and openings.
After hurricane
Once a hurricane passes, it is time to asses the damage, if any, and take measures for reparation.
While venturing out after a hurricane, take precaution as parts of the building, structure, and even tree limbs may not be secure.
1. Inspect elevator system
Inspect your elevator pit, cab, and machine room as these spots tend to easily be affected by harsh weather conditions.
2. Assess damage
Can you see, smell or hear something when the elevator is operating? Maybe you found water or hear a squeaking noise that never used to be there. Now is the time to take action and call trusted technicians like TG Oil Services to take care of you. Get started today!
3. Run all functions
Once your elevator pit, hoistway, and machine room have been inspected and are functioning properly, you can return all precautionary elevator functions back to normal. This includes reopening all vents and doors, and running elevator cabs back to the ground floor.
TG Oil’s promise
If at any point your elevator pit has accumulated water or just needs regular maintenance, TG Oil’s superior team can clean and restore it back to pristine conditions.
Their expert elevator pit cleaning and specialized waterproofing comes with a 5 year warranty, making it the ultimate package that provides you with safety, savings, and long term protection.
As one of the few elevator pit companies to be licensed and EPA certified to handle and transport oily water waste, TG Oil Services will safely and responsibly dispose of your elevator pit oily water and transport it to a recycling facility.
Don’t wait any longer! Contact us for a FREE estimate and inspection and a representative will get back to you shortly with more information.
Written by: Erika Lorenzo