In one South Florida apartment building, the lack of residential vertical platform lift maintenance didn’t just create an inconvenience—it trapped a woman in her home and delayed her cancer treatment by over six months.
Carolyn Blankenship, who suffered multiple strokes and was left unable to walk, lived on the second floor. Her building had no elevator access, and the vertical lift, the only way up or down, was constantly failing. Her daughter, Diane, quit her job to become a full-time caregiver and tried everything to get the problem resolved. She filed complaints. Called 911. Recorded every incident.
Still, the elevator stayed broken.
This story made the news on WSVN’s Help Me Howard. Clark Elevator was called in. Our technician got there fast, fixed the issue, and restored access before the situation turned into something worse.
It shouldn’t take news coverage for a lift to get serviced. But this is exactly why Residential Vertical Platform Lift Maintenance is so critical because stories like this one are more common than most people realize.
In buildings without elevators, a VPL is the only way in or out
That South Florida building wasn’t unique. Many residential buildings, clinics, small offices, and multi-family properties rely on VPLs instead of elevators. They’re compact, affordable, and code-compliant, but they’re also often overlooked until something breaks.
Just like what happened in that apartment, when a VPL goes down:
- Residents get trapped inside
- Elderly tenants lose access to appointments and groceries
- Visitors can’t enter the building
- Property managers scramble for emergency repairs
The lift is often the only alternative to stairs. If it fails, there is no plan B.
Regular maintenance for a vertical platform lift (VPL) prevents the kind of failure that made the news
It’s easy to forget about maintenance when everything seems to be working fine. The lift runs, doors open, buttons respond, so what’s there to worry about?
But that kind of thinking is exactly what gets people in trouble.
Because what you don’t see? That’s where the real issues usually start. Here’s why maintenance matters:
- Mechanical parts wear down slowly: Belts, gears, and motors don’t fail overnight. But left unchecked, they eventually will. A small fix today can prevent a full breakdown later.
- Electronic systems can fail without warning: Sensors, control panels, and wiring are sensitive and can malfunction with age or exposure to the elements especially in outdoor lifts.
- Safety features can’t be ignored: Emergency buttons, alarms, platform gates, and interlocks need to be tested regularly to make sure they’ll work when you need them most.
- Unexpected downtime creates real disruption: A stalled lift isn’t just annoying; it can block access to essential areas and impact quality of life, business operations, or compliance.
- Proactive maintenance saves you money: Routine checks cost less than emergency repairs or part replacements. It’s a smarter, more cost-effective way to take care of your lift.
What’s included in a maintenance visit?
A proper service visit for a residential vertical lift or commercial VPL follows a detailed checklist designed to catch early signs of wear and ensure everything runs safely.
Just like the service Clark Elevator performed in that South Florida apartment building, a visit typically includes:
- Drive system and motor inspection
- Platform leveling and travel performance check
- Testing of emergency stop buttons and alarms
- Electrical systems check, including fuses and wiring
- Battery condition check (if a backup system is installed)
- Inspection of safety sensors, interlocks, and gate mechanisms
- Review of structural components like rails, bolts, and supports
- Cleaning and lubrication of key moving parts
For commercial vertical lifts, additional steps may be taken to verify compliance with ADA and local building regulations especially in public-facing buildings where regular inspections are required.
How often should you schedule maintenance?
Think of that South Florida lift. No one expected it to fail – until it did. Servicing your lift on a schedule avoids reactive repairs and emergency calls.
As a general guideline:
- Residential vertical lifts that get light, occasional use should be serviced once a year.
- Commercial platform lifts or any VPL that gets daily use should be checked every six months.
- Public-facing buildings with multiple users may need quarterly inspections to stay compliant and safe.
That said, you should always call for a service check if something feels off. If your lift starts making strange noises, feels shaky, or moves slower than usual, it’s time to get it looked at.
Signs That You Need Residential Vertical Platform Lift Maintenance
By the time the tenant made the news, the signs had been there. Most VPLs don’t fail without a hint. Catching these issues early prevents the story from repeating.
Here’s what to watch for:
- Strange or grinding noises during operation
- Jerky or uneven movement between floors
- Slower-than-usual lift speed
- Doors or gates that don’t close properly
- Visible wear on cables, chains, or support parts
If any of these show up, it’s time to schedule an inspection before the problem gets worse.
Is your vertical platform lift showing any of these signs? Call Clark Elevator Company for expert inspection and maintenance
The woman in the South Florida story didn’t need convenience. She needed to leave her home. Her building’s only lift was the one thing standing between independence and isolation.
That’s what’s at stake.
And if you manage a building with a VPL—or live in one—this applies to you too.
Don’t wait for a breakdown to make the news
Delays, strange noises, or jerky movement aren’t just minor issues; they’re early signs that your lift needs attention. Would you really want to deal with a full shutdown, costly repairs, or stuck passengers when all of it could’ve been prevented?
If it’s been a while since your last service, now’s the time.
Contact Clark Elevator Company today to schedule your next service visit or ask about our ongoing maintenance plans. We’ll keep your lift reliable, safe, and ready – every single time you need it.
Watch the full Help Me Howard clip ›