| If you need a wheelchair ramp for home use and are | | | | properly. Sealing, as you probably already know, |
| trying to save money, you may be looking into used | | | | makes the wood weather resistant and holds off |
| wheelchair ramps. While this can be a great way to | | | | decay for years in some cases. Otherwise, the rain, |
| avoid a huge expenditure, you should look closely | | | | snow, and sun exposure pile up against it and cause |
| before you buy. After all, if the ramp is faulty or | | | | the wood to rot and fall apart, making it extremely |
| decaying, serious injuries could take place. So what | | | | unsafe to stand on. Prevent major accidents by putting |
| specifically should you look for or think about before | | | | this requirement at the top of your used wheelchair |
| buying a wheelchair ramp? Here we will look at five | | | | ramps list. |
| different things to beware of before you buy. | | | | 4. Reputable Seller |
| Beware of These 5 Things | | | | You want to be careful of who you buy used |
| 1. Ramp Rot | | | | wheelchair ramps from. A good place to start may be |
| One of the first things to do when looking is to | | | | wheelchair accessory companies. Some of these |
| examine used wheelchair ramps to make sure they | | | | businesses also sell pre-owned accessories and |
| aren't rotting or rusting away. This includes underneath | | | | they've been tested and certified so you know that |
| and other places that may not be as obvious. Used | | | | they're safe to use and meet with current standards. If |
| ramps for wheelchairs if made from wood or metal | | | | you do meet with private sellers, keep in mind the |
| will eventually have rotting and rusting problems. Don't | | | | above problems and features to be on the look out |
| get stuck with a decaying ramp that isn't safe to use | | | | for. Test the ramp out before buying. |
| anymore. | | | | 5. ADA Approved |
| 2. Weight Maximum | | | | The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifies |
| Not all ramps are designed to hold the same amount | | | | how wide ramps should be the maximum slope and |
| of weight. If you're buying used wheelchair ramps, | | | | rise, how wide landings should be, and how high |
| especially if you're doing so from a private owner, | | | | handrails are placed. Does the ramp meet these |
| make sure they have paperwork that verifies how | | | | requirements (available online)? If not, keep looking for |
| much weight the ramp can hold or that you can find | | | | other used wheelchair ramps. |
| out by some alternative means. This may be especially | | | | In summary, check the ramp in question for rot or rust, |
| important if you're looking at used folding wheelchair | | | | find out its max weight capacity, find out if it's treated |
| ramps or portable ramps. Again, this precaution | | | | for outdoor use, buy from a trusted source, and |
| prevents injuries. Not to mention, it saves you from | | | | evaluate it against ADA standards for wheelchair |
| wasting money on a ramp you find out you can't use. | | | | ramps. All of this will go a long way to ensuring you |
| 3. Treated Properly | | | | find used wheelchair ramps that are safe for your |
| Another thing to consider, especially with wood ramps, | | | | loved one. |
| if it's approved for outdoor use and has been sealed | | | | |