In the process of using ergonomic chairs, it is probably inevitable that there will be small problems or major failures. So how do you know if the errors you encounter are common and can be easily fixed or are irreparable? This article will help you know the possible cases and suggest the most suitable solution.
Common mistakes in ergonomic chairs
Based on my real-life experience and customer feedback, some common faults in most ergonomic chairs will be related to the wheels and piston shaft.
1. Wheel related errors
Wheels are one of the most susceptible components to wear and tear on office chairs in general and ergonomic chairs in particular. Some errors in ergonomic chair wheels can be listed as follows:
- Missing wheels: Normally, the chair legs will be equipped with 5 wheels to help it balance and move easily. For some reason, there are two cases that you need to pay attention to if the wheels are missing. If you have just bought a chair and it is still under warranty, depending on the policy , the brand may add new wheels for you. In other cases, you may have to buy and attach them to the chair yourself.
- Broken wheel: When it has to bear a huge weight or is accidentally hit hard, the wheel will break. At this point, the only way is to replace the wheel with a new one. The replacement method is not too complicated, but you need to note that it needs to be synchronized with the existing wheels in size.
- The wheel is stuck and difficult to move: You can readjust the chair shaft, apply a little oil to the wheel, this will help it operate more smoothly and protect the parts from wearing out too quickly.
- Wheels keep rolling: This happens when the floor is too slippery or the wheels are not properly matched to the floor. Placing a rug with a thread or groove to hold your wheels in place, placing an object to stop the wheels from rolling, or replacing them with locking wheels are all good solutions to this problem.
2. Piston related errors
2.1. Cannot raise or lower the height as desired
Illustration of piston (air cylinder) on ergonomic chair.
If at some point you are unable to raise or lower the seat height as usual, there is a high chance that the piston (seat air pump) is broken. In this case, you can try lubricating the piston to help it operate more smoothly. If nothing improves, it is likely that the piston is broken. If the warranty has expired, you can buy a similar product to replace it and may need a professional to help you replace it.
But in another case, the fault may lie in the seat tray, causing the lever to not connect to the piston, causing the inability to lift or lower. Therefore, you need to consider the cause of the problem to "treat" it properly!
2.2. Frequent loss of cylinder pressure
There are many objective and subjective reasons that lead to ergonomic chairs sagging during use:
- The weight of the occupant exceeds the design load of the chair.
- The chair is subjected to external forces such as falling from a height beyond the allowable limit or being strongly impacted during transportation or use.
- Poor quality product, the material and structure of the chair do not ensure minimum load bearing capacity.
- The screws of the rotating piston are corroded due to oxidation reaction after long time of use.
You can fix this in 3 ways:
- Rebuild the Shaft: This is probably the least effective solution, but it is the easiest and worth a try. All you need to do is remove the seat and spray WD-40 rust remover onto the piston shaft.
- Replace the shaft: This is considered the best solution. Replacing the piston can be a bit scary if you do it yourself, but it is actually quite easy, just follow the video instructions from someone experienced in replacing the piston shaft.
- Shaft Blocking: This method is done by placing a block so that the chair cannot sink any further. You can try inserting plastic tubing to suit the desired height. And you need to note that, after inserting, the chair will not be able to lower anymore.
2.3. The seat cannot be lowered.
In contrast to the situation of often sinking, at this time the chair cannot be sunk. Here are some causes and optimal solutions for you:
- Too light: This is easy to fix. Try bouncing on a chair or have someone heavier sit on you.
- Lever too loose: To fix this, you need to look inside the shaft housing. Remove the seat, trace the shaft, and tighten its screw. Once tightened, you just need to push down hard enough to engage the shaft.
- Faulty shaft: You can try to restore it with WD-40 or replace the shaft with a new one.
3. The chair makes an annoying squeaking noise.
Check the ergonomic chair parts.
For chairs that are too new, the roller system is not sensitive and the adhesion is still tight. After a period of use, the adhesion gradually loosens and you will no longer hear the unpleasant sound from the chair.
In the case of a chair that has been used for a long time, the user sitting in the wrong position or constantly putting pressure on the chair parts such as pacing the feet, swaying the body over time will cause the details on the chair to shake, loosen the screw joints, causing the parts to rub against each other, creating an unpleasant creaking sound.
To fix this common error, you need to check the parts such as the seat tray, armrests, backrest to see if the screws are tightened. If you have tightened all the screws but the noise is still there, it is likely that the piston and seat tray have run out of oil. You just need to add a little more oil to these parts and the chair will operate smoothly again like the beginning.
4. The tilted seat makes you feel unsafe when sitting.
The last common error is that the seat is tilted to the left, right or even backwards, making the user feel unsafe. In addition, if this situation persists, the chair will be damaged.
The solution for this case is to check if the screw system is still secure, if the seat tray still fits the piston, is the tilt knob too loose, stuck, dislocated or broken? If the seat tray hole is widened and no longer fits the seat cylinder, it is time to replace the new tray to ensure the quality of the chair and your health.
Some rare problems in ergonomic chairs
Aside from the problems that most people typically encounter when using ergonomic chairs, there are rare faults related to the seat mesh, armrests, headrests, and seat cushions. Specifically, as follows:
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The mesh seat is sagging, torn or the glue is coming loose: When you encounter these problems, the only way is to replace the mesh with a new one. If your chair is new and still under warranty, depending on the policy, the manufacturer may be able to replace the mesh for you. But it is best to choose an ergonomic chair equipped with a quality and genuine mesh from the beginning.
Quality SHRINX chair mesh from Germany.
- Seat cushions that sag or sag: Most ergonomic chair seat cushions are either mesh or foam. When using mesh cushions, you may have to deal with mesh sagging if the load exceeds the recommended limit. On the other hand, foam cushions will sag after a long time of use. All of these need to be replaced.
- Headrest is loose or stiff: This problem is caused by strong impacts or continuous adjustments during use, causing components to fall, causing the joints to jam or loosen, making the headrest no longer adjustable. At this time, you need to consider the cause to adjust or replace it.
- Loose, stiff or broken armrests: Similar to headrests, armrests can be damaged due to component failure during use. Additionally, unsuitable environments such as extreme temperatures or bacterial invasion can also cause cracking.
How to use ergonomic chairs effectively to avoid damage
Normally, the lifespan of an ergonomic chair depends largely on the materials it is made of and how the user uses it. An ergonomic chair with a 5-year warranty can last from 7 to 10 years, or even longer if you know how to preserve it well. Below are some notes on using an ergonomic chair that Epione would like to share with you to maintain the best lifespan:
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Sit in the correct posture with your body placed at the center of the chair, avoiding sitting on only one side. When this sitting habit persists, it will cause the seat plate and piston shaft to be bent and damaged.
Guide to ergonomic sitting posture.
- Absolutely do not jump or stand on the chair, because such strong impact will increase pressure on the parts, causing damage to the components, worse, causing the chair to break and you may also suffer unnecessary injuries.
- Do not use the chair as a shopping cart, to carry heavy objects or to play games where the person sitting on the chair and pushing it around. The ergonomic chair is equipped with wheels for mobility but it is designed for stability. When you use it for other purposes, it may lead to imbalance, causing damage to the wheels and other parts.
- Like any other valuable item you own, your ergonomic chair needs regular inspection and maintenance. Proactively inspecting, cleaning , and replacing parts that are not working properly can help you avoid more serious damage. Remember, replacement chair parts must also be consistent and of good quality!
So I have just shared with you the common errors in ergonomic chairs, along with appropriate solutions, as well as instructions on how to use ergonomic chairs most effectively. Epione hopes that these shares will be useful for your "war horse", helping it work best to "fight" with you the deadline ahead!
