When it comes to stairlift removal, carrying the stairlift downstairs is the most awkward part. We always recommend getting one of our professionals in to remove a stairlift.
Never attempt to carry a stairlift yourself if you are unsure whether you can do so safely!
This article provides general information only and is not intended to be a substitute for a professional assessment. Every stairlift and staircase is different, and the safe method of moving a stairlift will depend on the equipment, its weight, the staircase and the people carrying out the work.
Stairlifts are very heavy and our engineers have years of experience with removing them. Even then, the hardest part of a stairlift removal is the moving of the carriage. In this post we will cover the carrying of the stairlift down the stairs – the most dangerous part of stairlift removal.
Stairlift Removal – Carrying The Stairlift Downstairs
Before you can remove the stairlift carriage, you must first drive it off the rail and then dismantle the rail to clear space on the stairs. We have explained this process in detail in our stairlift removal page. You can also see our YouTube channel for more on the removal process.
Once the lift has been removed from the rail, and the rail dismantled, the difficult job of removing the stairlift itself remains. This is usually left to the end of the job so the engineer can remove the rail and clear the way of obstructions.
Stairlift Removal – Removal Of Batteries
One important tip before an engineer will carry a stairlift down the stairs is to remove the batteries. Since the two 12 volt batteries are quite heavy, it’s a simple method of instantly removing some of the weight.
Plus, removing the stairlift batteries also means they can be potentially reused and won’t begin to run flat. Stairlifts run off batteries, but the batteries are trickle charged from the mains. Once a stairlift is driven off the rail, there is no way for the batteries to be charged. So they begin to run flat.
Some stairlifts are considerably heavier than others – depending on the motors and base unit. With a smaller motor, a stairlift might be much lighter than another brand.
Getting In Position
With the stairlift at the top of the stairs, the engineer will position himself a few steps down facing the stairlift. Avoid grabbing any moving mechanisms of the stairlift, such as the swivel lever. Make sure you grab the frame of the lift, somewhere that is secured.
The closer it is to the body, the less strain there is on the arms and back while lifting.
Never attempt this yourself if you’re unsure whether you can do it safely – always use a professional.
Small Steps Use Caution
As you can see in the video below, our engineer is very cautious here. He positions himself close to the stairlift before lifting it to avoid straining his back. Then he pivots at the top, and takes small steps, making sure both feet find each step before moving on the next one.
He also looks to see where his feet are placed.
Before doing this the engineer also makes sure there are no obstacles in the way.
We always recommend using a professional for stairlift removal because this can be dangerous for someone who is not experienced. Call us on 0800 046 3438 for more information.
Summary
Carrying a stairlift downstairs can be awkward and even lead to an accident if you don’t know what you’re doing or if it’s too heavy for you to carry. Never attempt to carry a stairlift yourself if you are unsure you can do so safely. We always recommend getting one of our professional engineers in to remove a stairlift.
If you’re selling a stairlift, it’s particularly important to avoid damaging it during the removal process. Stairlifts have delicate parts which can be easily damaged if you are not careful when handling them.