A stairlift could potentially change the way you think about your or a loved one's mobility. With the importance of taking care of your stairlift, it can be helpful to understand the ins and outs before you purchase. A stairlift is a big piece of machinery, but it is relatively easy to understand once it is a big piece of machinery, but it can be simpler to take care of and operate when you break it down step by step.
Parts of a Stairlift
Depending on where you purchase your stairlift from, variations of what is included when you purchase your lift.
- Battery- The part of the stairlift that fuels the motor. The battery is recharged and can be plugged into an electrical outlet when not in use.
- Rail- This is what the stairlift travels on to move on the staircase. The dimensions of your stairway determine the length of the rail. If you have a stairway with curves or bends, installers will use a curved rail. There are often hinged rail options available too, so if your stairlift goes past doors or other impediments, there is a movable section on the rail to provide the ability to move.
- Carriage/Seat- The place where you sit while riding a stairlift. The chair can fold up, and the armrests can fold up when not in use.
- Safety belt- Provided for your safety will keep the rider secure in the seat while riding the stairlift.
- Footrest- Where you can place your feet while you ride. You can fold away the footrest neatly to provide plenty of room for others to use the stairs when the stairlift is not in use.
- Motor- This is the piece of the stairlift that enables the stairlift to move. The engine is the transmission, which helps regulate the speed to keep you moving at a safe pace.
- Controls- With a stairlift, you'll be able to control its movement in two ways. The paddle controls are easily accessed from the side of the armrests. The remote control can allow the stairlift to be manoeuvred from either the top or bottom of the stairs.
Operation
- To begin operation, first, insert the key and turn it clockwise. You can find the key on the bottom of the carriage near where the lift meets the rail.
- You will want to fold down the seat, armrests, and footrest. All components must be down, including the armrests, to actively use the lift while sitting in it. You can call the stairlift with the remote if the parts are still folded.
- Once seated, pull up on the seatbelt, place it over your lap and push the buckle in until it clicks.
- You can then control the direction of the stairlift with the paddle controls. Push the paddle towards you to travel in the up order and away to go down.
- If a swivel seat is part of your stairlift, typically, there will be a lever located on the side. To exit the lift, push the lever and swivel the chair to 45° or 90 °. It would be best if you swivelled the seatback to the original position before operating the stairlift again.
Installation
The process of getting a stairlift can be a pretty simple one. Trained technicians are experts when it comes to installing stairlifts. They can come to your home or offer a digital survey via the computer to measure your staircase. After the measurements are taken, they can then determine which model works best and arrange a quotation. On the day of installation, the process will only take a few hours; the time does depend on the complexity of the stairway and a rail system. Your home will also go undisturbed as the stairlift attaches to the steps, not the wall. As long as the path is clear for the technician to install the stairlift, they are good to get started.
Choosing to add a stairlift to your home can have positive results for a more mobile household. Once you have begun to understand how a stairlift operates, you can gain great insight into using and managing your stairlift properly. If you would like more help finding out if a stairlift is right for you, fill out the form on our contact page, and we will be in touch with you as soon as we can.