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How to build a temporary handicap ramp

By Franklyn Gallup of WoodFloorist.com

One of the members of our Timebank recently had some complications from childbirth that has made it necessary for her to use a walker. It has made it extremely difficult for her to navigate the steps from her front door.

Working with others in the Timebank we came up with a plan to resolve this issue. I was able to provide the labor to assemble the ramp and another coordinator found an anonymous organization that would provide the money for the materials. I would be paid in time credits instead of cash for my part of the work.

I made a visit out to the home and assessed the situation and put together a list of materials I would need. As usual I was looking to build a permanent ramp which would last for a long time. I was told that this was to be more of a temporary ramp and keeping the cost of materials down was one of the parameters of my design.

The other parameter was that it had to be easily removed as the woman needing the ramp was a tenant. I designed a ramp that was stable but removable without much trace of it ever being there once it was no longer needed.

The materials I needed were:

(3)Three 8 foot long pressure treated 4x4's
(2)Two 8 foot long 2x4's
(1)One 4x8 foot sheet of 3/4" Plywood
(3)Three Simpson ties
(1)One pound of deck screws
(1)One 8 foot long 2x6

Click here to see the finished ramp

My plan was to use the 2x6 to attach to the existing step with only 6 screws. The ramp was then attached to this 2x6 so that by removing the six screws the whole ramp could be removed.

I then fastened the Simpson brackets to the 2x6. These would secure the pressure treated 4x4's to the 2x6.

After calculating the height so that the 2x6 plus the 4x4's and the thickness of the plywood was nearly level with the top deck, I placed the sheet of plywood so I could measure the angle I needed to cut it and how long each 4x4 had to be.

I then fastened the 4x4's to the 2x6 using deck screws.

Since the idea was not to dig holes in the walkway and the plywood needed to go flush with the ground the 4x4 were cut to about 6 foot long.

Once the 4x4's were fastened I simply attached the plywood to the 4x4's with exterior deck screws. The plywood ended up a 1/4 inch higher than the top deck which was easily resolved with my floor edger.

I then cut one of the 2x4's to make two uprights which I screwed to the edge of the 4x4's. I screwed the second 2x4 to the uprights to make a handrail.

After that I simply took a brush and stained the whole deck with an exterior deck stain.

After this Intel is published I will add pictures with links to this Intel on our Gallery page of our Timebank website. along with a link to this Intel.

I am also the webmaster for the Timebank.

I hope you enjoyed reading this.

Helping the do it yourself person get professional results with their wood floor project.

This is the finished ramp that I built and stained in two hours

The 2x6 is screwed down to the step and the brackets are attached to it.

Checking the angle of the cut at the top and length of the 4x4's

Close up of fastening the 4x4's. The brackets allowed me to adjust the angle.

Since the idea was not to dig holes in the walkway and the plywood needed to go flush with the ground the 4x4 were cut to about 6 foot long.

PLEASE VISIT THE CONTRIBUTOR'S WEBSITE

Remodeling at Ballentine Street
Pictures of a remodel I am working on
woodfloorist.com/Siri/index.html

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Well done Franklyn. Something so simple yet a great aid for the lady who can now use it.

Thank you. It came out just as I had envisioned it.

Thanks for the comment. Practicality is sometimes the best policy.

Your time share is a very helpful organization and your talents as those of the other members, accomplish many things. However, just a word of caution from one who has a contractors license,all items constructed are the liability of the builder. Example: if this ramp is left in place for the next ten years, and it starts to rot and someone's foot goes through the ramp and they break a leg, you could be sued. In our state, most towns require a building permit for construction of ramp,deck and porch additions. Be careful, your good deeds are needed!!

I am glad to see you have recovered from your trip in the Adirondacks. Good to see you back. You have been missed.

Life is a risk. I have found staying in bed isn't much fun either.

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