Porch Lifts, Wheelchairs, and Stairs

By: Ralph Nindly

There are many devices used in the home to allow full access to an individual who uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter. One of the most common problem areas is the stairs and to allow access to an area with stairs, a porch lift is often used.
Porch lifts are designed to primarily be used by people who use mobility vehicles, like wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The mobility vehicle is driven onto a small metal platform and the platform is then raised slowly. They work great with the front steps of a home or for allowing access to a stage.
For the home, it is usually necessary to secure the lift directly to a solid base of concrete and, depending on the lift, wood. This creates a semi-permanent installation. Depending on the height that the device lifts, it might also be required to secure the porch lift to the side of the stairs.
Usually some assembly is required for these devices, but there are also portable units available. Usually for a home, you would not want to go with a portable lift, but they are incredibly popular in organizations, such as churches, that might need to add temporary access to a part of their building. A portable lift can be installed quickly and moved just as easily. Since they are not secured to the floor, a portable lift usually has a reduced lifting capacity and lifting height as compared to other lifts.
Some lifts are shipped fully assembled, but most require some assembly. They plug directly into the wall, but in the case of a power disruption, most also have manual overrides. For commercial uses, you would want to ensure that the lift has a manual override and for the home, this is usually a good idea as well.
Using a porch lift allows an individual to access all areas of their home, without having to be stymied by the stairs. While in some cases, a porch lift can be used on an internal staircase, they are most often used on the front steps of a home. These lifts are designed so that they are resistant to most of the elements. Electrical components are tightly sealed against moisture and metal parts are coated with an anti-rust material.
Even though these lifts are made to be weather resistant, it is still a good idea to take measures to protect the lift. It is a good idea to install gutters to prevent water from the roof falling directly onto the lift. The gutters can also prevent the area around the lift from becoming water logged and muddy. If there are any braches that hang over where the lift will be installed, they should be trimmed. This way if there is a storm, you do not have to worry about the branches falling on the lift, which could cause an inconvenience as they are cleared or could even potentially damage the lift.
Using a porch lift in the home or business allows people using mobility vehicles to easily access all areas of a home.

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Wheelchair lifts offer an excellent way to make a home easily accessible. Learn more about these and other lifting aids, like stair lifts, at AmeriGlide.

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