Once a stairlift has been installed, it's easy to forget about it while everything is working as it should.
But a stairlift is a mechanical and electrical piece of equipment that may be used several times every day, especially if there are multiple users within the household. Like other equipment with moving parts, regular servicing and routine maintenance can play an important part in keeping it safe, reliable and working as intended.
At EverRise Mobility, we provide stairlift servicing and repairs throughout Wigan and the surrounding areas, working on stairlifts from manufacturers including Brooks, Handicare and Acorn.
So, how often should you have your stairlift serviced, and is an annual service really necessary?
How Often Should a Stairlift Be Serviced?
For most domestic stairlifts, an annual service is a sensible routine maintenance schedule, subject to the manufacturer's recommendations for the particular make and model.
Some manufacturers specifically recommend servicing at least once a year. A stairlift that receives particularly heavy use, such as in a multiple-user household, may benefit from more frequent attention.
There are also circumstances where the requirements may differ, so the manufacturer's instructions and any conditions attached to your warranty or service agreement should always be considered.
The important thing is not to wait until the stairlift develops a fault before giving it some attention.
Preventative maintenance gives an engineer an opportunity to inspect the stairlift while it is still operating and identify signs of wear or developing problems.
Why Is Regular Stairlift Servicing Important?
For many people, a stairlift isn't simply a household convenience.
It can be something they depend upon every day to move safely and independently between the floors of their home.
A breakdown can therefore be considerably more disruptive than the failure of an ordinary household appliance.
Regular servicing allows the condition and operation of the stairlift to be checked and can help identify potential issues before they develop into more significant problems.
Depending on the stairlift, a service may involve checking mechanical, electrical and safety-related components as well as the general condition and operation of the lift.
What Happens During a Stairlift Service?
The exact service procedure will depend on the make and model of stairlift, but an engineer will generally inspect and test a number of areas.
These normally include the stairlift's:
- Rail and fixings
- Carriage and drive system
- Batteries and charging system
- Safety edges and sensors
- Seat and swivel mechanism
- Seat belt
- Footrest and folding mechanisms
- Controls and remote controls
- Electrical connections
- Moving components
- General operation and condition
The engineer can also check for unusual movement, noise or signs of wear that may indicate further attention is required.
Where appropriate, body panels may be removed to allow access to internal components that cannot be properly inspected from the outside.
Once the inspection and maintenance have been completed, the stairlift should be operationally tested.
Servicing Goes Beyond a Visual Inspection
A proper stairlift service isn't simply a matter of looking over the lift and checking that it travels up and down the stairs.
Depending on the make and model, accessing internal components allows an engineer to inspect parts of the drive, electrical and charging systems that are normally concealed during everyday use.
Electrical testing can also form part of the inspection where appropriate.
The photograph below shows testing being carried out during a Brooks 130 T700 straight stairlift service in Standish, Wigan.
This type of preventative inspection can help identify developing problems that may not yet be apparent to the person using the stairlift.
Can Regular Servicing Help a Stairlift Last Longer?
Potentially, yes.
A stairlift contains mechanical and electrical components that naturally experience wear during normal use.
Small issues aren't always immediately noticeable to the person using the lift.
For example, a component beginning to wear, a charging issue or a mechanism requiring adjustment may continue to operate for some time before developing into an obvious fault.
Routine servicing provides an opportunity to identify these issues earlier.
It doesn't mean a regularly serviced stairlift will never develop a fault, nor does it mean every repair can be prevented. However, maintaining equipment properly can help avoid unnecessary deterioration and contribute towards keeping the stairlift operating reliably over its working life. If you're also considering the longer-term costs of stairlift ownership, our guide to stairlift costs covers what to expect.
This becomes particularly important as a stairlift gets older.
What Happens If You Don't Have Your Stairlift Serviced?
A stairlift won't necessarily stop working simply because an annual service date has passed.
The issue is that wear and developing faults can go unnoticed.
If a stairlift continues operating for several years without being inspected, relatively minor issues may have more time to develop.
This could potentially result in:
- Increased wear to components
- Reduced reliability
- Unexpected breakdowns
- Battery or charging problems going unnoticed
- Safety mechanisms not operating as intended
- More extensive repairs being required later
Preventative servicing is therefore about reducing avoidable risk rather than waiting for something to fail.
Checking the Charging System
The batteries fitted to most modern stairlifts depend upon the lift's charging system to keep them charged while the stairlift is parked.
Problems with charging contacts, power supplies or other parts of the charging system can eventually result in poor battery performance or a stairlift that stops operating.
During servicing, the charging system can be inspected and tested as appropriate for the particular stairlift.
Finding a charging issue during routine maintenance can give an opportunity to address the underlying problem before it develops into an unexpected loss of use.
Inspecting the Stairlift Drive System
Mechanical drive components are another important area of inspection.
Different stairlift designs use different drive arrangements, so the appropriate checks depend upon the make and model being serviced.
The Handicare 1100, for example, uses a different drive arrangement from a conventional toothed rack system. Inspection of the drive components forms part of assessing its general condition and operation. If you're unsure which type of stairlift you have or are considering, our guide to straight vs curved stairlifts explains the main differences.
You can also watch a demonstration of the Handicare 1100 Slidetrack system — including how its unique drive arrangement works — in our stairlift video library.
These are the kinds of components that a stairlift owner would not normally see, but which can be inspected when the equipment is properly accessed during servicing.
Can Missing a Stairlift Service Affect the Warranty?
This is an important point and one where it's best not to make assumptions.
Warranty conditions vary between manufacturers, models and suppliers.
Some manufacturers and warranty providers require equipment to be maintained in accordance with their servicing requirements, while eligibility for certain extended warranty or service-cover arrangements can also depend upon a history of regular servicing.
For example, Handicare recommends that its stairlifts are serviced by an approved engineer at least once a year and states that regular servicing can be relevant when extending warranty cover.
It's therefore important to read the warranty conditions supplied with your particular stairlift.
If your stairlift is still under warranty, keeping appropriate service records can also provide evidence that the equipment has been maintained.
If you're unsure, check the terms of your warranty or speak to the manufacturer or company responsible for your cover.
Don't Wait for a Breakdown Before Calling an Engineer
One of the biggest differences between servicing and repairing a stairlift is when the work takes place.
A repair is usually reactive — something has already gone wrong.
Servicing is preventative.
The aim is to inspect and maintain the stairlift before a problem leaves the user without it.
Of course, servicing cannot guarantee that a stairlift will never break down. Electronic components can fail and unexpected faults can occur even on well-maintained equipment.
But routine maintenance gives developing mechanical, battery, charging and safety issues an opportunity to be identified before they potentially become more disruptive.
Signs Your Stairlift May Need Attention
You don't have to wait until the next scheduled service if something doesn't seem right.
Consider arranging an inspection if you notice:
- Unusual noises during travel
- Jerky or inconsistent movement
- The stairlift stopping unexpectedly
- Repeated warning tones or fault codes
- Problems charging
- The stairlift travelling more slowly than usual
- Difficulty operating the swivel seat or folding mechanisms
- Damage to the rail, seat or other components
- Any change in the way the stairlift normally operates
If you're concerned about the safe operation of a stairlift, stop using it and seek professional advice rather than continuing to operate it until the next routine service.
Does an Older Stairlift Need Servicing More Often?
Age is only one consideration.
How frequently the stairlift is used, its condition, environment, model and previous maintenance history can all influence how much attention it requires.
An older stairlift that has been maintained properly may continue to provide dependable service for many years.
On the other hand, an older lift with little or no maintenance history may warrant a more thorough inspection.
An engineer can assess its condition and advise whether any preventative work should be considered.
Can EverRise Mobility Service a Stairlift We Didn't Install?
Yes.
You don't necessarily have to return to the company that originally installed your stairlift to arrange routine servicing or repairs, although warranty conditions should always be checked if the stairlift is still covered.
EverRise Mobility provides servicing and repair support for stairlifts throughout Wigan and surrounding areas, including equipment from manufacturers such as Brooks, Handicare and Acorn.
So even if your stairlift was installed by another company, has changed ownership or is an older installation, you're welcome to contact us to discuss servicing and maintenance.
Stairlift Servicing in Wigan & Surrounding Areas
At EverRise Mobility, we believe aftercare is just as important as the initial installation.
We provide local stairlift servicing and repairs throughout Wigan and surrounding areas including Orrell, Standish, Leigh, Chorley and Warrington.
With more than 15 years' experience in the mobility industry, we understand how important reliable equipment can be to someone who depends upon it every day.
Whether your stairlift is due its annual service, hasn't been serviced for some time or has developed a fault, we can assess the equipment and advise you on any work required.
Is Your Stairlift Due a Service?
Whether we installed your stairlift or not, EverRise Mobility provides professional stairlift servicing and maintenance throughout Wigan and surrounding areas. Contact us today to arrange your stairlift service.
