What Winter Leaves Behind: Hidden Wear to Look for in March

Cold weather is tough on equipment. Winter elements can create stress on elevator systems in ways that aren’t always obvious. As temperatures rise and moisture levels shift, March is the ideal time to look for the wear winter leaves behind—before it turns into downtime. See a list of areas to examine this spring.

Here’s what to inspect before spring service calls stack up:

1. Door Systems: Moisture + Debris = Premature Wear

Salt, sand, and water tracked in from lobbies can accelerate wear on:

• Door tracks and rollers
• Interlocks and linkages
• Sills and guides

What to watch for: Sluggish door operation, unusual vibration, increased door faults, or visible corrosion beginning on exposed hardware.

2. Hoistway & Pit Conditions

Freeze/thaw cycles often introduce moisture into pits and lower hoistway areas, especially in older buildings. Check for:

• Rust forming on safeties, buffers, and compensation components
• Standing water or salt residue
• Corrosion on wiring connections or junction boxes

Early cleaning and component replacement can prevent cascading failures later in the year.

3. Controller & Electrical Components

Cold weather condensation can lead to micro-corrosion on contacts and terminals. As humidity increases in spring, those weak points may start to show up as nuisance faults. Inspect for these:

• Terminal tightness
• Contact wear
• Signs of oxidation or heat stress

A quick review now can prevent troubleshooting calls during peak usage months.

4. Hydraulic Systems

For hydraulic units, winter temperature swings can impact oil viscosity and seals. Look for these signs:

• Minor leaks at fittings or packing
• Changes in leveling accuracy
• Pump noise or sluggish performance

Spring is also a good time to evaluate the oil condition and levels. Change the oil if it has been in use for an excessive period of time or has a burnt or foul odor.

5. Exterior Entrances & Parking Garages

Units exposed to direct winter weather often show accelerated cosmetic and mechanical wear. Pay attention to the following:

• Corrosion on hangers and tracks
• Brittle or cracked wiring insulation
• Worn rollers due to debris accumulation

Resolve issues quickly, with help from ADAMS

A focused post-winter inspection helps reduce emergency calls, improves ride quality, and extends component life. If you identify components that need replacement, ADAMS keeps critical door hardware, electrical parts, and hydraulic components ready to ship — so you can keep equipment running smoothly. Start shopping today. 

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