Lake Effect Weather & Your Elevator: Hidden Risks for Chicagoland Properties

Chicago weather can be hard on buildings. Snow, ice, precipitation, temperature changes, and strong winds can create maintenance challenges that property owners and managers need to plan for.

For properties with elevators, lake effect weather can affect areas beyond the parts of the building people typically think about. Moisture, precipitation, salt, and temperature changes can affect elevator entrances and other parts of the system, creating conditions that can lead to operational problems.

Some of these weather-related issues are easy to overlook until they begin affecting elevator operation. Knowing what to watch for helps property managers spot potential problems and address them before they become more disruptive.

What Is Lake Effect Weather?

Lake effect weather occurs when cold air moves across a relatively warmer body of water, picking up heat and moisture before moving over land. In Chicago, Lake Michigan can contribute to localized weather changes, including periods of rain or snow, depending on the temperature and atmospheric conditions.

When this weather reaches a property, its effects can extend beyond what is visible outside the building. For an elevator system, changes in temperature, moisture, and building pressure can affect different components and how they operate.

5 Hidden Elevator Risks During Lake Effect Weather in Chicagoland

Lake effect weather can bring different combinations of snow, rain, moisture, strong winds, and temperature changes to the Chicagoland area. These conditions can affect different parts of an elevator system, from door equipment and mechanical components to electrical equipment and the hoistway. 

Here are five elevator risks that property owners and managers should watch for:

1. Ice & Snow Buildup Can Interfere With Elevator Door Operation

Snow, rain, and moisture can collect around elevator entrances and door sills. During freezing temperatures, that moisture can turn to ice around tracks and other areas involved in door movement.

Ice and snow buildup can restrict normal door movement or prevent doors from closing properly. Even when freezing is not an issue, moisture and debris around the entrance can interfere with operation.

Keeping elevator entrances and door areas clear of snow, ice, moisture, and debris can help reduce the risk of door problems. If doors begin sticking, moving differently, or failing to close properly, have the elevator system inspected by a qualified technician to identify the issue.

2. Cold Temperatures Can Affect Lubricant Performance

Cold temperatures can affect the way lubricants perform within mechanical elevator components. As temperatures drop, some lubricants can become more viscous, which may affect components that depend on proper lubrication.

The impact varies depending on the elevator system, the components involved, and the lubricant being used. Elevators exposed to significant temperature changes may require closer attention when temperatures drop sharply.

Regular maintenance can help confirm that the appropriate lubricants are used and that mechanical components operate as intended. Because traction and hydraulic systems use different components, the lubricants and cold-weather effects can vary between them.

3. Rain, Snow & Moisture Can Reach Electrical Components

Precipitation does not always stay outside the building. Rain, snow, and moisture can enter through building openings or be carried inside by people and equipment. Snow can also melt as temperatures rise, allowing water to collect around elevator equipment.

Moisture near electrical components can create maintenance and operational concerns. The level of risk depends on the elevator’s design, equipment location, and exposure to water. Older buildings can be especially vulnerable, since aging seals, entrances, and equipment give moisture more ways to reach sensitive components.

After heavy rain, snowfall, or snowmelt, check elevator areas for signs of water intrusion. A qualified elevator professional should evaluate moisture near electrical or mechanical components.

4. Strong Winds Can Affect Building Pressure Around the Hoistway

Lake effect weather can bring strong winds that interact with a building’s exterior and ventilation openings. In taller buildings, pressure changes can also interact with the vertical elevator hoistway.

These pressure differences can affect how hoistway doors operate in some buildings. Doors may become more difficult to open, close, or latch properly when building pressure changes significantly.

Because this issue is related to airflow and pressure rather than visible buildup, it can be easy to overlook when investigating elevator problems.

5. Freeze-Thaw Cycles Can Create Recurring Issues

Temperatures can move above and below freezing as weather changes, creating repeated cycles of melting and refreezing. Snow and ice can melt during warmer periods, while rain and other moisture can later freeze when temperatures drop again.

This repeated exposure can create new ice buildup around elevator entrances and other areas of the property. It can also allow moisture to reach areas that were dry when temperatures were higher.

Monitoring elevator areas through changing weather can help property teams identify recurring moisture, ice, and operational issues before they become larger problems.

10 Preventive Tips to Protect Your Elevator During Lake Effect Weather

Preventive measures should focus on the parts of the elevator system most likely to be affected by moisture, temperature changes, and changing conditions around the property. The following tips can help address these areas before they lead to elevator problems:

1. Use Cold-Rated / Weather-Appropriate Lubricants. Have the elevator technician confirm that the lubricants used are appropriate for the temperatures the equipment may be exposed to.
2. Schedule a Pre-Weather Maintenance Visit. Have the elevator professional check weather-sensitive components before periods of significant temperature changes or precipitation.
3. Keep Door Sills and Thresholds Clear. Make sure elevator entrances are kept clear of snow, ice, salt, moisture, and debris that could interfere with door movement.
4. Maintain Elevator Pit Drainage. Confirm that sump pumps and other water-management equipment serving the elevator pit are maintained and working properly.
5. Address Water Intrusion. Have water intrusion around the elevator system addressed before it can reach electrical or mechanical equipment.
6. Seal Areas Exposed to Outside Air. Ask the elevator professional to identify areas where unwanted outside air or moisture can enter the hoistway or machine room.
7. Protect Electrical Equipment From Moisture. Have the elevator professional check whether electrical components are adequately protected from moisture and condensation.
8. Review Weather-Related Service History. Review previous elevator service calls to identify recurring problems during periods of significant precipitation or temperature changes.
9. Report Changes in Elevator Operation Early. Report recurring door problems, unusual sounds, leveling changes, or other operational changes before they become larger service issues.
10. Keep Preventive Maintenance Current. Stay current with scheduled elevator maintenance so weather-related wear and equipment concerns can be identified before they lead to unexpected downtime. If you are reviewing your coverage, read our guide to what to look for in an elevator maintenance agreement 

When Should You Call an Elevator Professional?

Some weather-related maintenance can be handled as part of routine property care, but elevator equipment problems require professional attention.

Contact an elevator professional if you notice:

• Elevator doors sticking, failing to close, or operating differently
• Changes in elevator movement or leveling
• Unusual sounds during operation
• Water or moisture around elevator equipment
• Recurring problems during periods of changing weather
• An elevator that stops operating

When these issues appear, an inspection can help identify the source before the problem becomes more disruptive. Elevator maintenance and repair require a qualified elevator professional and should not be handled by building staff alone. 

Get Expert Elevator Service From Chicago Elevator

Lake effect weather can create different challenges for elevators, depending on the building, equipment, and exposure to moisture, temperature changes, and precipitation. Our team understands these factors and can help identify what your elevator requires to stay reliable through changing weather.

If you want the experts on your side, our team is happy to help. Contact Chicago Elevator to discuss your elevator’s needs.