Elevators are pretty much COVID-19’s best friend. They bring a bunch of people together in a little box for a short trip that could have long-lasting consequences.If somebody coughs or sneezes during the trip, little COVID hooligans are practically dancing a jig. Even if they don’t get somebody already in the elevator, they can live for between 3 and 7 days on stainless steel. They’ve got time to wait for the next unsuspecting victim to enter the space.But not if you know how to properly sanitize an elevator and keep it COVID clean! Let’s look at how to do it.Elevator ButtonsObviously, one of the biggest concerns is the elevator buttons. This is a high-traffic surface, leading the way to spreading the virus. All a rider has to do is touch a contaminated button and then touch their face and the virus has a way to make its unwelcome entrance.Thus, the buttons...

The coronavirus has turned the world upside down. With the unseen threats of the virus hiding around every corner, something as simple as getting into an elevator has turned into a dangerous undertaking.As a small metal box, it could be a perfect hangout for coronavirus germs. The virus is thought to last between 3 to 7 days on stainless steel surfaces. It’s not yet well understood how viable the virus can be (i.e. it may not be potent enough to infect you even if you come into direct contact) but it’s still a risk. Plus, there’s always the possibility that someone left the virus inside the elevator a few minutes before you entered.To that end, keeping elevators clean is more important than ever, especially in high-traffic places or where the population is more vulnerable or more likely to have been exposed. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when cleaning your...

In today’s modern homes, residences have grown up as opposed to growing out.  Having multiple floors give families space to do whatever they like without feeling on top of each other.  However, there can be a drawback.  Running items up and down the stairs be frustrating.  Where is the office in comparison to the kitchen? Where is the laundry room in comparison to the bedrooms? Is the kitchen a couple floors up from the garage?  In all these scenarios, wouldn’t a dumbwaiter be a time-saving and energy-saving investment?  If anyone in the home has mobility challenges or has difficulty carrying multiple objects, installing a dumbwaiter just might be the perfect solution. Types of DumbwaitersManual dumbwaiters aren’t exactly extinct, but they could be considered for the endangered species.  When they were a new innovation, it made...

It becomes an issue to stay in your own home when mobility becomes more of a struggle on a day to day basis. But, we are fortunate that there are safe options available to us in the market place. What to choose?   There are specific components to consider when deciding what mobility option may be best for your situation. What is the mobility of the user? What is the residence like in size, in age, and in what kind of zone? Don't forget, any professionals would be more than happy to discuss the options available.  The team at Ascension Elevators would be happy to demonstrate what options are out in the marketplace.StairliftA stairlift, or chairlift, is a little unit that attaches to stairs already in a home,  The motorized chair lifts a person upstairs or down while the person remains sitting on the attached chair.  The Stairlift is the most affordable...

A residential elevator can improve ahomeowner’s quality of life and ease the demands of their lifestyle. Over time,the footprint for a home elevator has decreased.  The technology has improved enough that theoverall cost has decreased.  That givesmore homeowners the realistic option of installing an elevator or including onein the design of their new home. One of the most compelling reasons forchoosing to include an elevator in the home is that it increases the value ofthe residence.  If you choose to sell,homebuyers tend to gravitate to houses that have an elevator alreadyinstalled.  Their reasons could vary.  Perhaps they are looking at theconvenience.  Or they could be lookingtoward the future and planning ahead to “Age in Place”.    Installing a home elevator supports “Ageingin Place”.   This...

Homeelevators are becoming more popular in the last few decades.  Historically, a residential elevator was onlyfound in the upscale homes of the wealthy However, this is no longer the case.Of course, for those who have mobility issues or use a wheelchair having a homeelevator gives access to all floors of their home.  However, more homeowners are consideringinstalling elevators, especially when building multi-story dwellings. Homeelevators have become more mainstream.  Regardlessof the reason, one of the first questions, when a client is looking at a homeelevator is, “how much will it cost?” It’s not easy to give an outright answerto that question. There are so many aspects to consider, and each has an impacton the overall cost of the unit. Every residential elevator is customized tomeet the requirements of the home and the client. ...

There has been a lot of discussion aboutwhere one would like to live out their “golden years”.  One movement attractive to most people is “ageingin place”.  This term means people remainin their own homes and access the health and social supports and services theyrequire from their community.  The otheroptions available to consider are senior community housing or a long-term carefacility if needed.  Choices are drivenby a variety of factors, including the health of the individual, safety, his orher mobility needs, transportation, family finances, personal supports (likefamily and friends), or the proximity to community supports and services (smalltown vs. large urban centre).  Of course,it makes sense that most individuals prefer to stay in their own home for aslong as he/she is able.  Memories arethere, possessions are there, and the...

Themost common topic of conversation and the most searched term on the Internet isCOVID-19. This tiny little virus has gained global attention because it haspermeated the lives of everyone on the planet. As the world journeys forward through this unprecedented time, the AscensionElevator Team is trying our very best to maintain excellent customer service.  Our business continues to be an essentialservice, so we stay open and able to serve current and future clients.  At the same time, the safety and well beingof our customers and staff remains our top priority.  Ascension Elevators is aware that some of ourclientele may be at higher risk from COVID-19 because of age or due to having apre-existing health condition.  Wecontinue to monitor any changes published to ensure we comply with allstandards and practises available.  Oneof our newly...

When it comes to installing a residentialhome elevator, there are many different installationmethods to choose from depending on your personal needs. With homeelevators, there are, of course, pros and cons toeach installation. For your guidance, we’ve compiled a quick run-down of fiveelevator installations to help you make an informed decision about which onewill best suit your requirements.Roped hydraulicA roped hydraulic elevator uses a pulley system with a hydraulic pump and cables. It offers a smooth (though slow) ride and is a popular choice for residential elevators for several reasons. Firstly, its dual design makes it a cost-effective option compared to some other installations, and it’s easy to maintain. There’s no need to dig a well hole, and it doesn’t put a strain on the property’s top-level infrastructure. The major disadvantage is energy usage -...

In our last blog post, we looked at the different types of residential home elevator installations. This should have given you an idea of the residential elevators that are available and which is best suited to your home environment and personal needs. Next, you need to factor in all the other considerations that will affect your budget.Is it a new build or a retrofit?Ifyou’re in the early stages of new home construction and want to add anelevator, this is ideal. The elevator installation can be part of the buildingplan, which gives you and the builder more options and allows for seamlessintegration. An electrically-powered elevator installation would be more economicalfor undergoing constructions compared to a retrofit, where walls might needremoving and concrete excavating, which can get expensive. To counter some ofthe costs of retrofitting, consider an MRL...