Long before a stairlift ceases to operate or function correctly, there will be clear and obvious signs of a problem that cannot be ignored. From unusual sounds, error codes, to exposed wiring and visible damage, there are several key signs to be wary of. Ensuring these issues are safely and responsibly handled is imperative to maintaining the high standards you’ve become accustomed to.
As a general rule, most new stairlifts come with a two-year warranty, including two free services as standard. Regardless of this, your stairlift will receive annual servicing to help maintain it remains in a safe working condition for years to come. It’s important to remember addressing any issues early on will almost certainly save you repair costs in the future. Here, we’ll run through some of the most vital signs to look out for and how the process of servicing your stairlift actually works.
Maintaining Your Stairlift
A key part of self-servicing your stairlift is regular maintenance. If correctly looked after, a stairlift can last many years, with little to no signs of stress or issues with functionality. However, maintaining your stairlift is crucial to cementing this longevity. Here, we look at some of the essential maintenance checks you can carry out at home:
- Motor & gearbox assembly for oil leaks and worn brushes.
- All safety switches for correct function which ensures they don’t stick or activate unnecessarily.
- Any hinged parts are lubricated and checked for excessive movement.
- Seat belt security.
- Roller bearings are checked for wear and lubrication.
- The rail is cleaned of any dust and feet are checked for security.
- Drive rack lubrication.
- Charge points are cleaned and lubricated.
- Seat swivel action, safety switch checks and lubrication.
- Batteries are installed in the lift and remote controls.
- Battery charging system and control board.
- RCD test and reset if it’s a mains-powered machine.
Why Do I Need A Service?
Like any piece of machinery, be it a car or a vacuum cleaner, your stairlift will need maintenance and servicing to ensure it remains operational. It may seem trivial, but cleaning your stairlift regularly is an excellent starting point because when dust, dirt and debris build up, it only serves to slow down your electronic stairlift.
When Do I Need A Service?
If you’re not maintaining your equipment, it will eventually start to suffer. We recommend that your stairlift is serviced once a year, and cleaned regularly, to keep it operating at its full potential. A basic package with DMA will include an annual service, priority access and reduced rates for call outs, whereas a premium package will often cover parts and call-outs during office hours, with reduced rates for call-outs after hours. Whether or not you choose to take out a stairlift service contract make sure you have access to a 24 hour, 365 days a year service so that no matter what the day or time you can get an engineer if your need is really urgent. Below are some of the most important issues to look out for if you believe your stairlift requires servicing:
Noises
Should your stairlift start making a beeping or chirping sound, this is an indication your batteries are not charging properly. This is usually a simple issue with the power supply at the outlet, so make sure you run some quick checks before calling the service line. If your stairlift is making a scraping sound, you’ll need to service your stairlift as soon as possible, to prevent additional damage to your lift. A scraping sound is often a sign of an internal issue with the rolling mechanism or a malfunction, so will require immediate action.
Malfunction
There are several warning signs if you believe your stairlift is malfunctioning. If your lift seems fine when going down, but is showing signs of fatigue on the way up, this usually signifies an internal battery issue. Occasionally, your lift may run fine in some moments, but then stop suddenly or unexpectedly in transit, this is known as ‘intermittent operation’ and will require a service. Watch out for lift jumps, shakes and shudders when in transit, if there’s some resistance whilst on the track, it could be a sign of a gearbox issue.
Visible Damage
Inspect your stairlift for visible signs of stress or damage. If your loft has loose covers, broken or splintered plastic or rattles and makes unusual noises in motion, service is likely required. This is why it’s vital to run visible checks frequently, keep an eye out for cracks or broken springs, whilst black or grey dust is a major sign of a worn-out mechanism.
Exposed Wiring
If your stairlift is showing exposed wiring, this is an immediate concern. In the long-term, this will cause your stairlift to break down and cease operation. In a worst-case scenario, the wiring can short on the metal causing serious electrical issues or damage that will result in higher repair costs.
Error Codes
Most modern stairlifts come fitted with a screen that displays the lift diagnostics. Sometimes this screen will display error codes, each signifying a specific problem unique to the code provided. You will need to find the code displayed on the screen in your user manual to highlight the issue. If the problem is small or seemingly resolvable, your manual should be able to guide you through the process of fixing these simple errors or issues, however, some error codes will signify a serious or complicated issue that will require a professional to fix.
How Will My Stairlift Be Serviced?
A stairlift service is designed to cover everything. From concerning scraping noises to a malfunctioning battery, every component is checked and serviced thoroughly. Here are some of the key checks carried out by DMA:
- Motor and Gearbox assembly
- Safety switches and function
- Hinges and mobility
- Seat belt security
- Roller bearings
- Dust or dirt
- Charge points
- Seat swivel action
- Batteries
- Charging system.
Stairlift Maintenance Contract
Now your stairlift has been serviced, it could be worth considering taking out a maintenance contract, which covers you against callout charges for the next twelve months. At DMA, we offer two different types of maintenance contract:
Silver Contract
A silver contract offers the following benefits:
- Annual Service
- Callout charges
- Callouts guaranteed within 24 hours
- Reduced labour on-site.
Gold Contract
A gold contracts offers the silver contract plus:
- Labour on-site
- Parts.
With a DMA maintenance contract, we can cover you all year round, offering an excellent service within twenty-four hours, that covers the costs and labour required with little fuss or worry. With a maintenance contract, we’ve got you covered.
Annual Servicing
It’s essential your stairlift is serviced at least once every twelve months. At DMA we can offer a full service, even if your stairlift wasn’t bought from us, for an agreed fee. We can also put you on one of our maintenance contracts to cover you for any issues in the future, should you wish to do so.
Generally speaking, a stairlift service will take less than an hour to complete, though, if any parts or repairs are required, this may take longer, or have to be completed at a later date. As a rule, we aim to deliver our absolute best service available, to keep any disruption to a minimum when servicing your stairlift.
DMA Stairlifts – Stairlift Experts in the South West
At DMA Stairlifts in the South West, we’re experts. Whether you’re looking for a short-term solution or a long-term mobility aid we can help you find the right product for your needs. Plus, we also offer reliable servicing and maintenance contracts so your stairlift will remain in great working condition. If you are a contract customer, callout charges are free. However if you prefer to use our services only when you need us we charge a competitive rate callout and labour on site for breakdowns.
With over 40 years of experience, look no further than DMA Stairlifts for professional advice and a wide range of products. Get in touch with us today for more information.