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Home Repair Design Dilemma Entry

Step up into Living Room / can a ramp be constructed or bought?

5 years ago

I'm looking to buy a house for myself and my 80 year old mother.

Our current house is a split level and it has three stairs up to the living room/kitchen and then a staircase up to the bedrooms. I've been looking at many houses and many of the ones built in the 60s 70s and 80s have either a step up or step down living room/living area. Some houses I've just crossed off my list but this house I really do like in the inside (size of bedrooms and living area) and wondered if there was a safe way to add a ramp near the front door and by the kitchen.

Attached is the step that brings up the main living area.

Featured Answer

HU-955941711

5 years ago

The slope of a ramp should be no more than 1 inch of elevation for every foot of run, and the ramp itself must be at least 36" in width. There should also be a 36" by 36" wheelchair turning area at the top and bottom of the ramp.

You may be able to do this, but I can't see quite enough from your pictures to be sure.

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Comments (6)

Chris K
Original Author
5 years ago
I'm going back to the house tomorrow for an open house - I"ll take some other pictures while I'm there.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
5 years ago
Not enough room for a ramp. If there is no wheelchair maybe a handrail is what is needed
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User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
NO NO NO. I would never buy a house with step up/step down. Even for younger able bodied folks. Too easy to fall. A long time ago, I fell down one of these small single levels at a museum in Nice. Sprained my wrist (trying to break the fall) and my ankle. Unless you have a railing along the entire stretch, including the kitchen step, and then only a narrow opening for access, it's a fall waiting to happen. If you try to install a good ramp, you will probably find that you don't have room for the length needed.

Have you spoken with a structural engineer about eliminating the raised/dropped floor and put all the living space on one level?
Stax
5 years ago
AND, would there not be a need for a railing along the whole top step... infirm person falling over?

Buy a different home.
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cat_ky
5 years ago
Its obvious, that there is no room for a ramp there, but, it is a big danger without a railing all the way across, with just an opening to get to the next level. Does your mother have a problem, going up and down the one step,especially with a railing across, and something to hold going up and down? If she does, and there is a possibility that she may need a walker or a wheel chair, I would not buy this house.
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