Comfort at the workplace is vital. Besides keeping illnesses like back problems and stress at bay, it also increases your productivity. So, you’ll want to avoid anything that compromises your comfort in the office, including a sinking chair.
A chair that won’t stay up is one of the inevitable challenges you’ll encounter in the office. That’s regardless of the quality of the chair. After all, everything has a useful life. However, you may want to shelve the decision to seek a replacement and instead consider fixing the office chair.
So, how do you fix an office chair that won’t stay up?
Understanding Office Chair Mechanisms
Before getting into the DIY procedures of fixing an office chair, an overview of the mechanism of your office seat is essential. It’ll help you grasp the DIY methods more easily.
Adjusting the height of an office chair largely depends on Nitrogen, a pneumatic cylinder, a lever, and a perfect airtight environment.
The cylinder connects the base and the seat, and it also contains Nitrogen. Rightly so, the pneumatic cylinder helps you to adjust the height of your office chair. The air is tightly sealed to avoid leakages and also to create an airtight environment. Every time you pull the lever, air moves from one chamber to the other, resulting in an upward or downward motion.
As expected, the seal wears down due to continuous use. Consequently, the pneumatic cylinder begins to fail too. At that point, any considerable amount of weight will sink the chair.
However, fixing an office chair pneumatic cylinder is possible. In fact, a quality gas cylinder can last up to six years. Also, the chair often feels like it was before breaking down. Nonetheless, optimal DIY results demand the use of a high-quality cylinder. Since the best office chairs are usually made using class 4 gas lift pneumatic cylinders, you may want to fetch the same type.
Top 5 Office Chair Gas Lift Cylinder Replacement
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Office Owl Office Chair Cylinder Replacement - Includes Removal Tool, Gloves, Gas Cylinder w/Hydraulic Piston |
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DOZYANT 6" Long Stroke Office Chair Gas Lift Cylinder Replacement, Hydraulic Pneumatic Shock Piston Heavy Duty (450 lbs) for Tall Person Universal Size Fits Most Executive Chairs, Highest End Class 4 |
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Duramont Office Chair Gas Lift Cylinder Replacement - Universal Size Fit All - Heavy Duty - Includes Removal Tool, Instructions & Gloves |
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MASTERY MART Office Chair Gas Lift Cylinder Replacement, Heavy Duty 320LBs/146KGs, Universal Size Fits Most Office Chair and Swivel Chair, 4'' Length Extension (Matte Black) |
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#1 Office Chair Cylinder Replacement - Includes Removal Tool, Instructions & Gloves - Heavy Duty Gas Lift Hydraulic/Pneumatic Piston - Fits Most Herman Miller Aeron & Universal Standard Size |
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How to Fix an Office Chair That Won’t Stay Up
Since fixing an office chair pneumatic is dangerous and costly, here are relatively safe and economical DIY procedures to help you fix your office chair:
- The PVC/Plastic Spacer method
- The hose clamp/jubilee clip method
- Using a chair riser
- Using a chair saver kit
Fixing an Office Chair Using PVC Pipe or Plastic Spacer
You can use a PVC pipe or a plastic spacer to fix an office chair. Although it’s a temporary solution, doing it right bears long-lasting results. Note also that you’ll no longer be able to adjust your office chair to different heights.
Using a tape measure, obtain the measurements of how high you’ll want the seat to be. Then use a saw to cut the PVC pipe or the plastic spacer according to your preferred height. After fixing the office chair, the PVC or plastic spacer will help to keep your chair at the desired height. If you miss the measurement, you may have to redo the procedure. Therefore, accuracy is vital.
Also, it’s important to note that the PVC or plastic spacer will go round the chair’s cylinder piston. Therefore, ensure you choose a pipe with a larger diameter. In addition, it’s essential to use just one pipe for sturdy DIY results.
Procedure:
- Remove the piston, attach the PVC pipe or plastic spacer, then screw it back.
OR
- Cut the PVC pipe or plastic spacer along its length, open it up, fix it around the cylinder piston, then use the hose clamp or duct tape to keep it in place.
Fixing an Office Chair Using a Hose Clamp/Jubilee Clip
This is yet another easy way to fix your office chair. It’s similar to the PVC pipe method since you’ll have to use a hose clamp or duct tape during the DIY procedure. It’s also a temporary solution for those looking for an answer about how to fix an office chair that won’t stay up without items.
- First, slide the skirt that encloses the cylinder to adjust the chair to your preferred height.
- Next, unscrew then turn the belt out of the clip.
- Wrap duct tape around the topmost part of the metal cylinder.
- Firmly fix the clamp.
- Check for the chair’s height and adjust accordingly if the need be.
- Wrap the jubilee clip or hose clamp.
- Screw up the hose clamp or jubilee clip and ensure it’s fixed tightly.
Fixing an Office Chair Using a Chair Riser
Chair risers are buttons used to increase the height of an office chair. It’s a simple procedure because it’s a matter of adding the buttons beneath the chair’s legs. You can screw the chair risers on your seat’s legs. Alternatively, you can attach them by fixing the legs of your chairs inside the grooves of the chair risers.
Fixing an Office Chair by Installing a Chair Saver Kit
When it’s about how to fix a chair that won’t stay up, affordability is an essential consideration. After all, DIY procedures are supposed to save you money. So, you can also consider this cost-effective method of fixing an office chair.
Not only is a chair saver a cheap option, but it’s also a quick way to fix a chair that won’t stay up with items. For one, no disassembling isn’t necessary. No special tools are required, and you won’t be measuring or cutting anything. Fixing your office chair using this method is as simple as snapping the rings (chair saver kit) on the piston of the gas cylinder.
Once done, you’ll be lifting your chair to adjust it to your desired height. So, you’ve got a window to enjoy different seating heights, unlike the other DIY procedures. You’ll also love this alternative for the reason that a chair saver kit comes with a 5-year warranty.
The rings are also cheap and have a universal fit. Therefore, you can buy in bulk for future use. By the way, these rings can break, so keeping some can be a brilliant idea. In addition, if you ever want to raise your office chair to a new height, you’ll have to snap new rings. Make sure to stock up.
In Sum
Unlike other DIY procedures, fixing an office chair is easy. It’s also affordable and doesn’t need expert knowledge or special tools. The requirements depend on the method you choose. However, the simplest is using the chair kit because the procedure is pretty straightforward. It’s also a long-lasting solution.
Recall: sinking chairs is a common problem. As a result, ‘how to fix an office chair that won’t go up’ is among the most FAQs. So, why not click the share button and make the solution known?
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