stairlift cork

HOW DO I KNOW YOU ARE A GENUINE STAIRLIFT ENGINEER ?

I have been a Stairlift engineer since 1994. I carry with me my hard earned qualifications and proof of my stairlift origins. I am a time served engineer with qualifications that can only be gained by working within the industry a number of years. 

My numbers are not randomly made up to look impressive on the internet.

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Safety of customers is paramount which is why I have the necessary qualifications in order to carry out the work in a safe manner. 

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I am the only Stairlift engineer living and working in Cork with NVQ2 qualifications. A standard within the Stairlift industry. 

 

Listed below is a selection of lifts that I service and repair. If yours is not listed please call me as I have vast experience of working on a number of different stairlifts.

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Stairlifts come in two types, Straight and Curved.

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STRAIGHT STAIRLIFT

As the name suggests a straight stairlift will run on a straight flight of stairs. This type of lift is generally cheaper to purchase as they are less complicated to install, these run on a length of aluminium rail that is fitted on to the stair treads. A straight stairlift can often also be moved easily to another location should the need arise.

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CURVED STAIRLIFT

Fitted to a staircase that has a turn/ fan steps or with a landing in between.

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RECONDITIONED STAIRLIFT/ USED STAIRLIFT

A Reconditioned or a Second hand stairlift can be bought from various places/ auction sites. Depending on your type of stairs I have a selection of reconditioned stairlifts that may be suitable. Any Stairlift supplied by me comes with warranty and a guaranteed 24 hour call out. You can be assured with over 28 years of experience and knowledge in the stairlift sector that I can guide you to the best stairlift that suits you.

Should you purchase or be gifted a stairlift from elsewhere I can also install the stairlift providing it is up to standard. Call me on 083 4753 253 for more information.

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As with all purchases, please be buyer aware. I have come across many a stairlift that is highly unsuitable and dangerous for the chosen flight of stairs. Stairlifts may appear easy to install but there are certain hazards that an inexperienced installer may overlook, length of rail, insufficient/ poorly fitted rail brackets/ fittings, incorrectly "handed", safe edges missing or even bypassing the safety edges! Frighteningly I have seen stairlifts installed this way by "Stairlift installers". Only recently in Cork I was repairing/ servicing a stairlift and the safety edges hadn't been handed correctly and the swivel seat swung out over the stairs. Luckily the stairlift wasn't working correctly and the customer didn't get to travel many times on the stairlift. Having a van and some tools does not qualify "some" to be engineers.

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Far too often I come across a straight stairlift fitted to a fan/ curved staircase. This is also a highly dangerous practice as stepping over 2/3 steps for a stairlift user is an accident waiting to happen. Customers should only be getting on/off the stairlift at ground or first floor level only, not clambering over a few steps to hop on.

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Stairlifts are "handed" to suit the flight of stairs. When stood at the bottom of the stairs looking upwards, a Left Hand stairlift will run on the Left side and vice-versa for a Right Hand stairlift, some stairlifts can be exchanged, but some cannot. This mistake occurs quite frequently and is very dangerous as the leading safe edges are on the wrong side, therefore the lift will not stop in the case of an obstruction and may cause injury to the user.

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The stairlift will be used by a loved one and far too often I see stairlifts that have been poorly installed. Is it really worth the risk just to save a few Euros?

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A Reconditioned stairlift is generally not suitable for a curved staircase as the rail is designed for the original set of stairs.

Re-cutting and bending of a rail to suit another staircase can be a dangerous practice. In rare cases some stairlifts can be moved providing the properties/ steps are identical.

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Again I must stress, Buyer beware. I have called to customers that have purchased a curved rail in the hope that it may fit theirs, and quite often it will not. This can be an expensive lesson.

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The only real option for a reconditioned curved rail stairlift is for a new rail to be manufactured and the reconditioned part is just the chair/ carriage. Although it may be slightly cheaper this is often false economy as generally the warranty is limited to 1 year, sometimes less with some companies. All new stairlifts from upWARDs Lifts are supplied with 3 year warranty accompanied with annual service visits. 

With my 28 year experience i would urge extreme caution in purchasing a reconditioned curved stairlift. The stairlifts I have seen installed and incidents that have occurred do not warrant the saving of a few Euros.

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REMOVE STAIRLIFT FOR A NEW CARPET

If a new carpet is to be fitted, sometimes it can be easier for the carpet fitter to have the stairlift removed during this process. As above with the refitting by a an inexperienced stairlift installer, unseen hazards can arise. No disrespect to any carpet fitter but certain tasks are better left to somebody that is trained how to do this. Dependent on your type of stairlift I can remove your stairlift and refit it when your new carpet has been laid. Call me for a competitive quote.

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