Maintenance Tips for Building Managers in Indiana

February in Indiana doesn’t always come quietly. Some days still feel like deep winter, while others give a quick preview of spring. For those of us managing buildings, that back-and-forth can make equipment maintenance feel like a moving target. We’re not out of the cold yet, but we’re also starting to feel the strain some systems carry after months of low temps and heavy wear.

Elevators tend to show signs of stress around this time. Motors feel slower to warm, doors don’t move quite as smoothly, and the cold creeps into parts of the system that haven’t had proper attention in a while. That’s where a good inspection process helps us stay ahead. Working with a trusted elevator maintenance company this time of year is one of the best ways to keep problems small and manageable. Below are a few practical steps we like to take before spring settles in for good.

Watch for Weather-Related Changes in Performance

A lot can change between morning and night in February, especially when ice and snow play a role. Low temperatures might not seem like a big deal at first, but over time they chip away at elevator performance in ways that are easy to miss.

• Freezing temperatures can affect motors and door movement, especially in elevator shafts next to outside walls or roofs

• Water from leaks or melted snow can slip into cracks, push into sensors, or short-circuit small parts

• Movement may feel less smooth, doors get stuck open longer than expected, or indicator lights blink or stop working entirely

If you’ve noticed a noticeable delay in door response or occasional stops that weren’t happening a month or two ago, those signs are worth paying attention to. Residual winter damage doesn’t fix itself, and letting it linger can cause deeper issues later.

Stick to a Late-Winter Inspection Routine

We’ve found that February and early March are key times for walkthroughs. Problems that didn’t stand out in deep winter become more visible as buildings warm back up and usage picks up. Catching small issues now helps prevent bigger concerns when spring traffic increases.

• Walk through the building earlier in the morning, when elevator systems are coming out of rest periods

• Check how the car warms up, responds to calls, and behaves during a cold start

• Review recent ride logs or reports from tenants looking for changes in timing, noise, or motion

• Schedule a pre-spring check-in with your elevator maintenance company so any lingering cold damage can be resolved now

Some of the most frustrating breakdowns come from issues that started small. A little more attention in late winter buys a smoother ride into the warmer months ahead.

Common Areas Managers Forget to Check

When we focus only on the obvious, like the elevator cab or floor buttons, lots of meaningful trouble spots get missed. These often lie in the background, out of daily view, but they’re some of the first places where seasonal problems take hold.

• Pit heaters near the bottom of shafts help keep freezing air from locking up the elevator. Mild spells may cause them to get overlooked or turned off, even though nights still dip well below freezing.

• Machine rooms are another problem area. If space heaters or insulation aren’t keeping things steady, parts inside may wear down faster or respond slower.

• Door sweeps and weatherstripping around access points shrink and crack in freezing weather. If they weren’t checked in early winter, they’re likely pulled away or damaged by now.

A quick check of these areas can save time later. They’re easy to skip but make a big difference in how much strain your system can handle this time of year.

Elevator Solutions Inc. provides 24/7 emergency elevator service along with routine maintenance programs for commercial properties throughout Indiana. Our experienced technicians inspect all major system components, including pits, machine rooms, cab, and controls, to identify issues that others might miss.

Preparing for Extra Wear During Seasonal Shift

Things don’t slow down heading into spring. In fact, building traffic often increases as tenants prepare for moves, spring cleaning increases service calls, and contractors move through the property more often. Elevators are one of the first places to absorb that rising demand.

• February and March come with lift usage spikes. Lease changes, move-outs, and building clean-ups all contribute.

• Older, worn systems may have hidden weak spots that didn’t fully break during winter but start acting up once demand increases.

• Small updates like lubricating parts, replacing seals, and checking connections are simpler now than rescheduling after an outage.

We’ve seen older elevators hold up just fine through a deep winter, only to falter when everyone starts using them more in early spring. Getting ahead prevents you from dealing with mid-day breakdowns while juggling other maintenance priorities.

We also offer modernization solutions and security upgrades for Indiana elevator systems, helping property owners and managers keep equipment code-compliant, reliable, and safe no matter the season. Regular service and timely repairs keep building operations running smoothly year-round.

Take Control Before Spring Hits Hard

The end of winter doesn’t always bring steady warmth in Indiana. Some years we get surprise snow in March or temperature swings that flip from frozen roads to warm puddles in a matter of hours. Those late changes still do damage, especially if we assume things are already done shifting.

That’s why we prefer to stay active well into February. If we catch small problems, whether in the performance, environment, or overlooked parts of the system, we buy ourselves time and peace of mind. A few smart adjustments now can help keep our buildings out of emergency service calls and make the transition into spring much easier.

Keeping our systems balanced during this change in seasons doesn’t take huge projects or major downtime. It just takes a steady look at the right places, a habit of observation, and a partner who knows what colder months tend to leave behind. When we do that, we stay ahead instead of catching up.

When winter fades but freezing nights still sneak in, it's smart to stay on top of small repairs that could grow into breakdowns. Even quick checks of pits, panels, and shafts can make a big difference in how elevators handle the changing season. When your building has seen more strain lately or ride times feel off, now’s the right moment to call in help from a reliable elevator maintenance company. At Elevator Solutions Inc., we know what to look for before spring use ramps up. Let’s set up a time to walk through your system and catch anything that’s wearing out early.