Stairlift installation: Will it damage my stairs?
There are often many questions about the stairlift fitting process, including whether a stairlift installation will damage a home. A stairlift will become part of your home, offering you independent living and more confidence when traveling up and down the stairs. So, it’s only fair that you are equipped with all the information you need before you make the commitment to purchasing and installing a stairlift.
Customers are often concerned about the structural integrity of their stairs when they choose to have a stairlift fitted. During the stairlift installation, a track is attached to brackets that support the stairlift rail. This will keep the rail elevated from the stairs. The brackets are attached to the treads of the stairs, so there will be no damage to the banister or walls surrounding the staircase or at the top/bottom of the stairs.
The stairlift brackets hold the track above the floor, it will not damage any carpet. The support screws also go through the carpet, which means the carpet does not need to be lifted and refitted, making the fitting process a lot easier. The support screws also have a very small diameter, so won’t leave large, visible holes. However, there may be some indentation from the weight of the stairlift.
When installed, the stairlift is attached to the stairs with very few screws. There will be no impact on the structural integrity of your stairs. With indoor lifts, a few small holes will need minimal attention, such as where the brackets have been attached to the carpet or wooden tread.
There are various stairlifts available on the market. You can choose from curved stairlifts to straight stairlifts, whatever suits your needs. The Flow X stairlift is a great example of a complete stairlift, designed to fit on narrow staircases, whether they are straight stairlift or curved. Here at Access BDD, we have the perfect stairlifts to suit your staircase.
When a professional is fitting your stairlift, it’s usually a quick procedure that should take roughly 2-4 hours, depending on the stairlift and staircase. This would also teach the user how to use, clean and maintain the equipment properly.
Like anything else, you must clean your stairlift to extend its lifespan and keep it looking nice. Clean your stairlift once a week with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Removing dust will guarantee the stairlift keeps running smoothly and nothing will get stuck. Never use bleach or solvents when cleaning your stairlift. They can damage your equipment!
Your stairlift doesn’t use much energy, so don’t unplug it. Doing so can damage the battery pack. Leave it plugged in, and you will get longer out of your battery life.