December 2025

If you are an administrator or manager of a building with elevators, you know that many factors affect the proper functioning of this equipment. In the world of building management, there is a fine and fundamental line between preventive maintenance (planned and economical) and corrective maintenance (emergency and costly).

Corrective maintenance is the direct result of unexpected failures, unmonitored wear and tear, or, more frequently, inadequate user practices, which cause incidents and result in repairs or service interruptions.

Otis understands that its role is to ensure maximum asset availability and safety. Therefore, this article presents five practices that should be avoided to transform risk management into operational peace of mind.

Understand the difference: corrective vs. preventive maintenance — why the distinction is important

Corrective maintenance occurs after a failure, while preventive maintenance is performed before it happens. In theory, everything seems simple, but in practice, many organisations opt for corrective maintenance because it seems less expensive in the short term. This choice usually results in higher costs in the medium term: emergency repairs are expensive, cause downtime, and, in serious cases, can pose safety risks and legal liabilities.

Effective technical management combines preventive maintenance (planned routines) with predictive strategies (condition monitoring). The goal is to reduce the rate of corrective calls, increase MTBF (mean time between failures), and control operating expenses.

The danger of ignoring noises and vibrations

A quiet elevator is a healthy elevator. One of the biggest mistakes an administrator can make is ignoring noises or tremors that appear over time. Never ignore these signs: waiting only increases the risk and cost of repairs.

How to interpret mechanical warning signs

Sounds such as squeaks, knocks, or vibrations can indicate anomalies, malfunctions, or wear and tear in mechanical parts. These signs suggest:

• Braking: squeaking noises may indicate wear in the brake system.
• Cables and pulleys: friction noises can signal problems with lubrication or tension in the cables and pulleys.
• Guides: Abnormal vibrations can be caused by misaligned guides.

Waiting for a complete failure to trigger corrective maintenance not only increases the cost of repair, but also raises the safety risk for users and the downtime of the equipment.

The silent risk of constant overload

Overloading is a common problem in residential and commercial buildings when elevators are used to transport objects that, when accumulated, can exceed the equipment's maximum capacity.

Impact on the drive system

This misuse frequently causes mechanical and electrical damage, which in turn can lead to sudden stops or jams. The main components affected are:

• Motor and traction machine: forced to work beyond their rated capacity.
• Brake system: subjected to additional stress, accelerating brake shoe wear.
• Levelling accuracy: Constant overloading compromises the elevator's ability to align perfectly with the floor, creating a tripping hazard.

It is essential that the building manager or administrator monitor and raise awareness among residents about respecting weight limits and, whenever possible, use freight elevators in addition to passenger elevators to avoid the need for corrective maintenance.

Misuse of doors and buttons

Doors and pushbuttons are the components with the most user interaction and, therefore, the most vulnerable to damage.

Never force the doors

Opening or closing doors manually or improperly can cause erratic movement and slow response. Automatic doors are designed to open and close precisely. Any physical intervention—such as holding, forcing, or pushing—disrupts their mechanisms and increases the likelihood of corrective maintenance.

The rule is clear: if the door isn't opening, there's a problem that needs to be fixed by a technician, not by force.

Be careful with the control panel

Lights that flicker, go out unexpectedly, or malfunction may indicate electrical problems in the push-button system or control panel.

Causes can include contact with liquids, improper use of cleaning products, impacts, or the classic habit of repeatedly pressing buttons. Damage to the panel compromises communication and the safety of the electrical system.

User safety and collective care

Corrective maintenance can also be avoided with clear instructions on how to use the equipment, especially for children and pet owners

Essential rules of conduct

• Supervision of children: It is essential that they are accompanied by a responsible adult and avoid playing in the cabin, tampering with the doors, or pressing the buttons unnecessarily. These behaviours can cause damage and compromise safety.
• Caution with animals: always keep them on a short leash and close to their companion to avoid contact with moving parts. On escalators, carry them in your arms to prevent paws or claws from getting caught in the grooves of the floor.

It is important to encourage all residents to take care of the equipment, reinforcing the importance of looking after the elevators.

Invest in prevention, not repair

Corrective maintenance is expensive, stressful, and directly impacts your business's reputation. The most effective way to avoid it is through constant vigilance on the part of the administrator and a reliable technical partnership.

If you notice unusual use of the elevator, it is best to request an engineer visit or maintenance that allows for the detection of damage and preventive repairs with guaranteed replacement parts, ensuring the proper functioning of your elevators

Our multi-brand maintenance team can help you maintain the efficiency and proper functioning of elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and electric ramps.