Residential Dumbwaiters

Climbing up the stairs is something that is difficult for many people and falls are very common among those over sixty. While climbing the stairs can be difficult by itself, having to lug fifty pounds of groceries up the stairs can be hard even for those who are not mobility challenged. This is why a lot of people choose to install a dumbwaiter.

For homes, a dumbwaiter is like a very small elevator. They are not designed to carry people or animals, but instead are used to carry items between floors. They can be used for things like carrying firewood, groceries, or meals. Whatever needs to be moved, it is usually a whole lot easier if you can let the dumbwaiter do the work.

Today, most people use electric dumbwaiters in their homes, which are able to support around a hundred pounds. However, manual dumbwaiters, which have been used for thousands of years, are still used sometimes. A manual dumbwaiter can be as simple as a pulley and a small wooden platform, but there are also some kits available that build in other features that allow it to work in a more efficient manner.

Despite some opting for a manual lift, the electric lift is much easier to use and can support more weight. Several kits are available that can be installed easily, in only a few hours. To make the installation simpler, the drive system and car will often come pre-assembled. This reduces how long it takes to install the lift, because the drive system and car, can be installed all at once. These lifts also usually have snap together wiring, which also reduces installation time, but also makes troubleshooting easier.

Electric lifts generally move along a track that is installed inside the shaft, which helps keep the car stable. The shaft, which must be completely vertical, must usually be at least two feet wide and two feet deep. However, this varies by model and depends on the size of the car.

Often, the dumbwaiter can be configured to open on different sides, which helps make finding a space for the shaft easier. If necessary, usually a closet can be converted to provide the space necessary for the shaft.

It is easier to install the lift as the home is being constructed, but it is also possible to install them into an existing home. There is seldom a problem in either case.

People all over the World have been using dumbwaiters for thousands of years. These devices were used in ancient castles and during the Roman empire to quickly and safely move items between different levels. They sometimes used water power or animal power to raise or lower the dumbwaiter. The electric dumbwaiter, which was first developed over a hundred years ago, is today much more popular than manual lifts, but some people do still opt for a manual dumbwaiter.

A dumbwaiter allows items to be transported in a similar manner to that of an elevator. A car is sent between floors carrying its load. Manual dumbwaiters rely on the physical effort of its user to raise or lower, but electric lifts move at the push of a button. Usually a set of call buttons will be installed at every floor where the dumbwaiter stops.

The car moves up and down the shaft, usually attached to a track. This helps keep the car steady and balanced. Doors are located at every place that the car stops. Usually, the doors are designed so that they can only be opened if the dumbwaiter is present. This is a safety feature, which means that it will not be able to access the shaft, unless the car is actually at the door.

The automatic door locks are either electronic or mechanical. Electronic locks have electric sensors that detect if the car is present. If not, the doors remain locked, otherwise they open. Mechanical locks have a small switch that extends into the shaft. When the car reaches the opening, it makes contact with the small switch, which causes the door to unlock. As it moves away, it releases pressure on the switch and the doors lock. While both types of locks can be disabled for the installation or troubleshooting, it is advised to otherwise always leave them engaged.

Usually finding a place for the shaft is the first consideration. A space that is about 2 foot by 2 foot is needed. This space must extend vertically between floors. Often as the home is being built, a space for the shaft can be left, but in preexisting homes, it can be a little harder to find a space for the shaft. If all else fails, the area in a closet can be used. Most lifts can also be configured so the car door opens on multiple sides. This makes the task of finding a space for the shaft much easier.

People who are mobility challenged often find that installing a dumbwaiter is an excellent way of making it possible to take care of a mid to large sized home. These devices, which often support over a hundred pounds, can provide quick and easy access to several floors of a home at the push of a button.

There are many different industries that have consistently used dumbwaiters to improve the ability of their employees to work. Hotels, office buildings, automobile manufacturers, and hospitals are among the many industries that implement dumbwaiters in their businesses.

Over the years, the popularity of dumbwaiters decreased slightly and during the nineteen-forties until the late eighties, they were typically only found in larger homes. Then during the nineties, several advances were made in the design of these devices, which allowed them to be quickly and easily installed. Today, dumbwaiters are making an impressive comeback and are an incredibly popular addition to a home. In addition to advances in the actual construction and technology of these devices, dumbwaiters have also become much more affordable in the last ten years.

Most people opt to go with an electric dumbwaiter, but manual dumbwaiters are still found. When going with a manual dumbwaiter, it is possible to construct one on your own using a series of pulleys and some rope, but generally it is better to go with a manual dumbwaiter kit. This will typically come with a track that increase the stability of the dumbwaiter and many also are designed so that you can let go of the rope, without the dumbwaiter falling.

Generally though, despite some people opting for a manual dumbwaiter, an electric dumbwaiter is usually used. A series of call buttons is installed on each floor where the dumbwaiter will stop. When you want to call or send the dumbwaiter, it is only necessary to push a button and the dumbwaiter will begin to move.

To improve safety, the doors of an electric dumbwaiter will usually only open if the car is present at the floor. This is similar to how a passenger elevator functions and prevents objects from being dropped down the shaft or accidental falls.

Usually it should not be possible for anything to become lodged in the track, but since accidents can happen a series of sensors are generally installed on the dumbwaiter car. These sensors detect an object in the path of the dumbwaiter that could prevent it from moving. If it detect something the dumbwaiter will stop moving. It will be necessary to clear the obstruction, before the dumbwaiter can continue, but this can help to prevent expensive repairs.

The weight that a dumbwaiter supports generally varies by model, but support as much as a hundred pounds and some commercial dumbwaiters can support over a thousand pounds. Even if the car is capable of supporting your body weight, it is important to never transport a human in the dumbwaiter. Not only is this against safety regulations, it could also be potentially dangerous. Small children should not be allowed to play with or use the dumbwaiter without direct adult supervision, so if you have small children it may be a good idea to invest in locks for the dumbwaiter. These are usually available for most dumbwaiters as an extra feature.

Dumbwaiters are designed to make work around the home or around the business to be easily and much more efficient. They are not only make it easier to do your work, but they also increase home value and can become a selling point, especially in subdivisions with many similar homes.