5 Monthly Maintenance Checks for Your Stairlift

A stairlift is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home — it gives you your independence back and keeps you safe on the stairs every single day. Like any mechanical device, a little regular attention goes a long way.

The good news? Most of these checks take less than five minutes and require no tools whatsoever. Here's what we recommend every month.

Every modern stairlift has obstruction sensors built into the footrest and carriage. These are designed to stop the lift immediately if something gets in the way — a pet, a bag left on the stairs, or a child's toy.

How to test them: Place a soft object (like a folded towel) on the bottom step and send the lift down towards it. The lift should stop before making contact. If it doesn't stop, call us straight away — this is the most important safety feature on the chair.

Do the same test going upward if your model has sensors on both ends.

The rail your stairlift runs along needs to be clear and clean. Dust, pet hair, and small objects can build up over time and cause the lift to run less smoothly — or in rare cases, cause it to stop mid-journey.

What to do: Run a dry cloth along the length of the rail, paying attention to the rack (the toothed strip the drive gear engages with). You don't need to apply any lubricant yourself — our servicing visits cover that — but keeping it free of debris makes a real difference.

Your stairlift should run quietly and smoothly. A healthy lift makes a gentle hum. If you start hearing grinding, clicking, or scraping sounds, that's your lift telling you something has changed.

What to listen for:

• Grinding or crunching — could indicate debris in the rack or a worn gear
• Clicking — often a loose component or something catching on the rail
• Squeaking — usually just needs lubrication, but worth reporting

Don't ignore unusual sounds. They rarely fix themselves and catching them early prevents bigger problems.

Give the seat, armrests, and footrest a visual check and a gentle wiggle. Everything should feel solid and secure. The seat should swivel smoothly at the top of the stairs (if your model has a swivel seat), and the footrest should fold and unfold without sticking.

Also check: The seatbelt or harness. It should fasten securely and the fabric should be free of fraying or damage. If the buckle feels loose or the belt is worn, let us know.

The joystick or rocker switch on the armrest gets used dozens of times a day. A quick wipe with a slightly damp cloth (not wet — never spray liquid directly onto controls) keeps it clean and responsive.

Also check the remote controls if your lift came with them. Make sure the buttons respond properly and the batteries aren't running low.

These monthly checks are designed to catch small issues before they become big ones. But some things are best left to us:

• Any fault codes showing on the display
• The lift stopping unexpectedly mid-journey
• Unusual noises that persist after cleaning
• Any visible damage to the rail or carriage

As part of your rental with Stairlifts Wales, all servicing and repairs are fully included. There's no call-out charge and no hidden costs — just call us on 01446 710722 and we'll sort it.

We get asked about this a lot. The short answer is: don't apply lubricant yourself unless we've specifically advised it for your model. The wrong lubricant in the wrong place can actually attract more dirt and cause problems. We handle all lubrication as part of our regular service visits.

Keeping on top of these five checks takes just a few minutes each month and gives you peace of mind that your stairlift is in top condition. If you ever have any concerns between service visits, don't hesitate to give us a call — that's what we're here for.