Stair lifts provide mobility to those who struggle to climb stairs. Stair lifts can be installed on stairs, handrails, or the stairwell itself and are capable of lifting a person from one floor level to another.
They can be straight or curving and can often be installed in less than one day. Today we will try to make it easy to understand how to install a stair lift system.
What Is a Stair Lift?
A stair lift is a personal transport device that allows disabled people to move between the floors of a building, and will typically be located in a stairwell. Stair lifts have been available in some form since the 1960s and consist of an adjustable chair mounted to a track.
With the use of an electrical motor, the stair lift chair glides over the stairs either up or down. Stair lifts are also more affordable now than ever, owing largely to technological advancements.
Is a Stair Lift Difficult to Install?
No. For people with experience using hand tools, installing a stair lift should take less than one day. Depending on the design, stair lifts are relatively simple to assemble because most only consist of three main components. These will include (1) a track, (2) chair, and a (3) motor, along with various optional features.
Contrary to popular belief, modern stair lifts do not depend on wall brackets or elaborate mounting systems for support. Stair lifts function similar to an escalator, but are installed similar to a garage door opener. The simple design and familiar function make installing a stair lift possible by a do-it-yourselfer.
In most arrangements, an adjustable track is mounted from one end of the stairs to the other, and supported by adjustable brackets mounted to the stairs. The chair is mounted to a moving trolly, which is attached to and transported by a chain or belt. The rider controls the movement of the stair lift with controls often located on the arm rest of the chair.
Can I Install My Own Stair Lift?
Yes. Most do-it-yourself stair lifts come mostly assembled, and will arrive in three or four boxes. As mentioned earlier, although other options may be available, a stair lift will include the rail (or track), the chair, and the motor. Other devices, like the control switches and safety features will also be included in the kit. More elaborate kits may require professional installation.
Installing most stair lift systems will require just a few tools like a drill, measuring tape, and other basic hand tools. Generally, no cutting or major modifications to the kit will be required. However, stair lifts do require certain clearances from objects inside the stairwell, like a handrail. In these instances, some advanced carpentry or other skills may be required to prepare the stairs for the lift.
How Much Does a Stair Lift Cost?
Many basic stair lift systems can be purchased for about $2000, but some may cost more. The stair lifts in this price range will be basic versions, so the seat may be narrow or the motor may not support heavy weight. Other stair lift features, such as optional DC power in case of a power failure or extra large seating capacity are also available.
How to Install a Stair Lift
Here we will discuss the basic installation process of the most commonly used stair lifts. Each manufacturer will supply installation instructions, which must be followed completely. We will describe the basic installation of a stair lift system, but details will vary from brand to brand.
Step 1: Measuring
To begin, you will need to measure the length of the stairs to order the appropriate kit. Most kits are adjustable, so yours may provide a range of sizes.
Once the system has been selected and arrives, be sure to inspect the motor and chair for damage. These systems work on tight tolerances, so if any part looks damaged, do not install it.
Step 2: Assemble the Track
Next, lay the track on top of the stairs and adjust the length as needed based on your measurement. You may notice that the track may or may not contact the leading edge,(or nose) of each stair tread. Although stairs should be built to a uniform measurement, this is not always the case.
In these situations, the adjustable mounted brackets will provide the support for the system, not the actual stairs. These brackets are inserted into the track and lowered until they contact the stair tread and are bolted to it. This continues per the manufacturer’s directions until the track is securely attached to the stairs via the brackets.
Step 3: Make the Connections
Next come the electrical connections. In most systems, two control boxes are connected to the track and to each other via a cable. The cable will extend from one end of the track to the other, so any slack is tucked away inside the track. This cable is the communications link from the motor to the chair, so make sure it is not damaged.
Step 4: Attach the Motor
The next step is to mount the motor. Stair lift motors usually weigh in excess of a hundred pounds, so help is recommended.
The motor usually has the same assembly connection as the track, allowing it to seamlessly slide onto the upper end of the track. Very similar to a garage door opener, this motor uses a gear to spin a belt (or chain, depending on the brand) around a gear located on the other end of the track.
Step 5: Install the Chair
In most configurations, the chair will have a trolly mounted to the bottom, which rides along the belt. The chair must be both plumb and square to the adjacent wall to prevent the occupant from falling when the chair is moving.
Most chairs of this type will include adjustable allen head set screws to pivot the chair as needed. Many systems will also require taking up any slack in the cable before operation. This is a safety feature to prevent the chair from moving if the safety cable is not under tension.
Step 6: Test the System
The last step is testing the operation of the chair. For the first test, move the chair along the track the entire distance, looking for any binding. However, do not sit on the chair until the appropriate safety features have been tested.
Most stair lifts will not only have controls for operating the chair, but will also include safety lights that engage when the chair is operational. If the chair will not operate, most systems will include warning lights to diagnose the issue. In many installations, the cause is an obstruction preventing the safety relays from communicating.
Stair Lifts Improve Quality of Life
Until we age or experience a disability, many of us do not recognize the freedom of mobility a stair lift provides. For those needing assistance with most daily activities, the independence a stair lift provides is often priceless and cannot be overstated.
As the population ages, more and more technology will be introduced to assist those in need, but perhaps none will be more useful than a stair lift.
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