We are hosting a huge Thanksgiving this year and one of our family members is in a wheel chair. Our home is not exactly built for a wheelchair but we’ll make due.
What I need to build is a ramp from the car port to the from door - there is a step down along the walkway [just one step 7-inches high] and then 10 feet after that a step up to our porch, same height.
I was thinking about using some marine grade plywood. Cut two 25° ends [45 I think would be too steep - right???] then put a 2x4 on on each end about 2 inches from the ends, and then wedge it up to the steps?
Or should I make a brace? So instead of a one plank ramp, I’d actually make a right angle with the 2x4’s and hold the plank on that? What do ya’ll think? Anyone done this before?
You’re only talking about 1 step down and 1 step up? I think it might be easier to just use the plywood and 2x4’s to bridge the gap between the 2 steps, or have I misunderstood the layout? Is there a bend or a corner involved or is it a straight shot?
Are there no 2 people attending the event that can’t lift the person + chair over two single steps? You roll the chair up to the step, backwards, then one person pulls from behind and the other pushes from the front.
I actually have a relative in a chair that can’t be lifted over steps, as she strictly uses an electric chair and is a big woman, so I know this isn’t possible for everyone. But I thought I’d throw that out there as an option if possible instead of having to build ramps.
If the individual in question won’t be going in and out of the house often I would dispense with the building plans and just assist with lifting the wheelchair over the couple of steps, if that is needed.
I’m no expert…but you’re looking for a quick reply,so I’ll chip in
You are right about the 45 degree slope. I think the slope is supposed to less than 10 per cent, for the wheel chair person to be able to push himself up it. (10 per cent means you need a 70 inch long ramp for a 7 inch step.)
But in this case, do you need the ramp? is it necessary for the wheel chair person to propel himself? It sounds like you’ve got lots of helpful people nearby, and a healthy person or two could just grab his chair and give him a lift up a single step.
With assistance offered to the chair-bound person, you don’t need a gradual/long climb/slope.
Just get any decent 3/4" plywood (why you choose marine-grade is beyond me) and make two short ramps that are about 24" long and wide/strong enough for the wheelchair wheelbase. All you want to do is provide something for the wheels.
Now, if this was for more frequent, non-assisted use, you’d need to think it out and make a sturdy platform to specific specs. It’d be very, very involved.
If 1-2 people can just help the person and chair up backwards, you don’t need much.
We put a piece of plywood over our 2 front door steps too for a relative in a wheelchair. In our case it’s just laid in place to get her in. Then, moved out of the way.
Be sure it’s 3/4 inch. I discovered 1/2 inch bends too much with my weight and my grandmothers plus the wheelchair. Didn’t crack, but made it much harder to push her chair. Next year, I was ready with a 3/4 piece cut 32 inches wide.
For safety. I screwed a strip of wood on each edge. That way there’s no chance the wheelchair casters could go off the side. I just ripped a 2x4 down the middle to make my edge guards.
There’s no need to damage your property by nailing anything to the house. I was able to push my grandmother over a pretty steep incline.
i think having two people help with lifting the chair over the steps would be fine.
i have made a hand truck ramp with about 2’ long of 3/4" plywood with solid wood supports down the length on edges and middle. eases the strain of lifting. this might be worth the effort for you to have and move to each step as needed.
The woman in the chair weighs about 90 pounds soaking wet, so lifting her is no problem. She is not bringing her 300-lb electric chair, she’s bringing her “travel chair”.
I am really doing this for convenience, I know we can have people lift her up and over - that’s fine.
Philster The Marine grade is the only ply I have at the moment - nice problem to have ;), so I too winced a little when I knew I’d have to use it.
I can’t build a simple bridge, because I don’t have the time to do it and do it right - but I can easily rip some plywood and a couple two-bys for an easy ramp.
Should I put the 90 angle in it or just make a ramp that rests on the lip of the steps then on the concrete?
if you have a Skill Saw. I found that cutting the bottom edge of the plywood at a 45 degree angle helps. That way it sits tighter on the sidewalk. Otherwise, there’s a small bump getting the chair started up the ramp. I didn’t want to scare my gran anymore than necessary.
We’ve been using this plywood for the past 6 Thanksgivings. It stores easily in the garage.
If you know anyone into dirt bikes or ATVs, they probably have some ramps you could borrow…but not all would work with a wheelchair.
Whatever you use, make sure the ramp is secured so it can’t move and fall. I had that happen once when loading a motorcycle into a trailer.
+1 on not needing a ramp for a one time deal. Our next door neighbor lady was chair bound and would come to visit probably once a week for 20+ years. Three steps up the porch, then a high door sill.
Note that some of the modern “sporty” chairs may not work as well for this as the old institutional models. I see a lot of chairs these days that don’t even have handles on the back…or even much of a back for that matter.
I’d ask the person in the chair. On the one hand the might have issues with being lifted, and on the other they might feel worse about you putting yourself out to build a ramp just for one visit.
Being a paraplegic myself, if this is just a one day affair I’d suggest skipping all that building and just find a couple of sturdy volunteers to help haul the person over the obstructions. My best friends have five or six steps up into their house; I’ve been hauled up and down those stairs numerous times. The steps you mention sound trivial in comparison. However, do get the advice of the person in the chair about how to do it both in terms of where to grab and how to lift.
