Frequently asked questions - FAQ
Overview
My threshold is longer than 1.15 meters. Is there still a way to equip them with your doorstep ramps?
My robot vacuum cleaner manages smaller thresholds on its own. For example, is a ramp with a height of 3 cm sufficient to overcome a 4 cm high threshold?
Unfortunately not! As the robot is on an incline on the ramp, it will not easily be able to cross a threshold – albeit a small one – at the end of the ramp. You should always configure the ramp as high as the threshold to be overcome.
Can I also order ramps with a greater height?
The configurable height of our door threshold ramps is primarily limited by the depth resulting from the gradient and height as well as the resulting weight of the ramp. Packaging size and weight are crucial for economical shipping. Parcels over 31.5 kg total weight or those that exceed the maximum dimensions (120x60x60 cm) cannot be sent to our customers economically. Shipping by a forwarding agent can still be interesting in individual cases. We look forward to your inquiry if required.
There is a silicone joint at my threshold. Is it possible to make a recess or chamfer on the lower rear side of the ramp so that the ramp can be mounted flush with the actual threshold?
Our threshold ramps are already equipped with a chamfer on the lower rear edge as standard, so that they can still be installed perfectly with standard connection joints (height of the chamfer depending on the ramp size 3-5 mm at 45°). If this is not sufficient in your case, you are welcome to contact us and we will be happy to make you an appropriate offer.
There is a connection strip on my threshold. Is it possible to make a recess or rebate on the rear underside of the ramp so that the ramp can be mounted flush with the actual threshold?
This is not a problem and has already been done very often for our customers. Please contact us by WhatsApp, phone or e-mail and we will be happy to make you an offer.
Are there any restrictions on vacuum robots with a mopping function?
In principle, it can be said that a robot vacuum with an attached mopping unit is less capable of overcoming obstacles than one without. The reason for this is not only the increased weight of the water tank but also the significantly greater frictional resistance caused by the wiping cloth. This effect can sometimes lead to the robot vacuum having problems driving up the ramp in mopping mode, while it easily overcomes this in pure suction mode. So far, this effect has only been known with ECOVACS appliances using the PRO wiping unit (with active scrubbing).
Can I freely choose the gradient or depth of my ramp?
As the height of the ramp is determined by the height of the threshold, the depth of the ramp automatically results from the gradient and vice versa. In principle, the ramp depth or gradient can be specified by the customer without any problems. Any ramp can be made steeper.
However
The ramps must not be too shallow:
-
The wood species spruce, oak and beech must have an incline of at least 10° or 17 %. As the wood works, the ramp may otherwise warp.
-
The beech wood type can be freely configured up to an incline of 3.5° or 6 %.
How can I ensure that the ramp later looks exactly like the floor?
Wood is a natural product and as such is highly individual. Every tree looks a little different – depending on its origin and growing conditions. In addition, the appearance of solid wood changes significantly over time under the influence of light, oxygen and abrasion: it darkens. A doorstep ramp made of oiled oak, for example, will always look great on an oiled oak parquet – even if the woods do not look absolutely identical for the reasons mentioned above.
Does the ramp have to be permanently mounted, or can I simply lay it down if necessary?
We strongly recommend installing our threshold ramps permanently to prevent them from slipping. If there is a need to remove the ramps (e.g. to close a door that is usually open), this can be done using Velcro strips. We know from some customers that they have implemented this and are satisfied with it. In this case, please note that you must take the thickness of the Velcro connection into account when configuring the ramp height.
My threshold is not straight and the measured heights are different on the left and right. Is there a way to bridge the threshold with your ramps?
In most cases, such sloping thresholds are created by lowering the floor on one side towards the corner of a room. In these cases, the height of the threshold changes continuously from one side to the other in the same direction: either it rises continuously or it falls continuously.
In these cases, you can configure your door threshold ramp with us with an inclined course and receive a ramp that exactly replicates this height profile. Measurements are taken from a frontal view: you measure from the side from which you would walk up the ramp.
My threshold is higher in the middle than at the edges and is not linear. Is there a solution for this?
In this case, it is necessary to adapt the ramp to the conditions on site, as perfect measurement is very difficult in such cases. To do this, configure the ramp so that it is sufficiently high at the highest points of the threshold. At lower points, the ramp will initially protrude a little after assembly. You can easily correct this protrusion yourself by sanding. A simple sanding block is sufficient for small overhangs of a few mm. You should order such a ramp without oil and varnish and, if necessary, oil or varnish it yourself after sanding.
I am unsure which type of wood is best suited to my floor and whether I like the quality of the ramps. Is it possible to get an idea with the help of samples?
Here you can order up to 3 samples for viewing. The samples come with a voucher for €5, which you can redeem when you order. We take care of return shipping within Germany. The samples must be returned to us within 10 days. Unfortunately, we have to charge a flat rate of 20 € for each sample that is not returned at all or is clearly damaged. We are also happy to advise you on choosing the right type of wood. Simply send us a photo of the affected threshold.
Incidentally, the samples are also very good for clearing up any uncertainties as to whether your own robot vacuum can cope with the incline of our ramps.
How can I be sure that my robot vacuum will get over the ramp?
We have tested a large number of the most popular robotic vacuum cleaners on the market with different inclines. All devices mastered the incline of 15° or 27 % specified by us for robotic vacuum cleaners without any problems and with sufficient reserves. Unfortunately, due to the abundance of devices on the market, it is almost impossible to keep track of all available devices at all times. If you are unsure whether your device works, you are welcome to send us an inquiry. We will find out for you. Alternatively, you can try it out yourself at home with your own device using our samples before placing an order. In addition, we are currently working on a list of all vacuum robots that have already been verified so that you can check directly whether your device is listed.
Known problems:
- RX9-1-SGM (AEG):
The device drives up the ramp perfectly, but then turns off again and drives back. This is a software issue in which the 3D camera used here (even with a ramp gradient half as steep as usual) incorrectly recognizes an abyss and therefore – having already reached the top – turns around again. This device can only cope with our flattest slope (3.5°). - ECOVACS:
Some models from the manufacturer ECOVACS show problems with our standard incline of 15°. In this case, the fall sensor triggers incorrectly and the appliance descends the ramp again. We therefore recommend that owners of devices from this manufacturer configure a flat ramp, which we have successfully tested with all current Ecovacs models. - Roborock S7:
The Roborock S7 sometimes has problems with our standard slope of 15°. In this case, the fall sensor triggers incorrectly so that it does not reliably descend the ramp. We therefore recommend that owners of this model configure a flat ramp gradient.
What kind of mounting tape is this? Can it be removed without leaving any residue?
The installation tape we use is a high-quality, double-sided installation tape from TESA, which was specially developed for installation in the floor area. It can be easily removed again, for example with acetone-free nail polish remover, if necessary. Due to its low thickness of only around 0.15 mm, the mounting strip does not need to be taken into account when configuring the height of the door threshold ramp.
Note: If a value between two mm increments is determined when measuring the door threshold, we always recommend rounding this value down to the lower mm increment (for example, a threshold height of 26.7 mm should be rounded down to 26 mm for the configuration).
Can your solid wood threshold ramps also be used outdoors?
Our threshold ramps are explicitly designed for indoor use and should not be exposed to permanent weathering caused by strong temperature fluctuations, moisture and direct sunlight. Only beech is approved by the manufacturer(Pollmeier Massivholz GmbH & Co. KG) for use in roofed outdoor areas (service classes 1 & 2). Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that our ramps will withstand prolonged outdoor use. If you still want to try, you should always paint the ramp several times to give it the best possible protection against weathering. Many of our customers have been using our ramps outdoors for a long time and have been satisfied so far.
Do I absolutely need a surface finish or can I leave the door threshold ramp with a natural finish?
A surface such as wood oil or wood varnish is not necessary for the ramp to function. When you order a natural ramp from us, you get a perfectly sanded, high-quality surface that can be installed straight away. A protective surface is particularly useful if the ramp is to be protected against moisture or dirt ingress, for example in entrance areas where it is also walked on with street shoes or in bathrooms. When used in public areas – such as business premises – we strongly recommend protecting the surface with a varnish. A varnished ramp can also be easily cleaned of coarse dirt with a damp cloth, as this cannot penetrate the structure of the wood. In the untreated case, this is sometimes not possible or only possible with difficulty, especially with longer exposure times.
Is it possible to order the ramp sanded natural and apply the surface yourself?
Quite clearly: yes. You can use any material suitable for wood. If you attach particular importance to a natural and healthy living environment, you should make sure that the product used complies with ÖNORM EN 71-3 and is therefore completely harmless in terms of its ingredients. Alternatively, you can also protect the ramp with linseed oil, rapeseed oil or peanut oil.
Note: Please DO NOT use olive oil for this, as this is unfortunately completely unsuitable for treating wood. Olive oil is a non-hardening oil which becomes rancid in contact with oxygen and may even form mold. A protective resin layer is not created when using olive oil (in contrast to the oils mentioned above).
Do your doorstep ramps contain substances that are harmful to allergy sufferers, small children and animals?
Unless you are allergic to wood, there is probably no healthier material for living areas than wood. All the lacquers and oils we use for surfaces comply with ÖNORM EN 71-3 and are therefore even suitable for children’s toys.
I have a very dark or black floor covering. Are there any problems here?
Some robotic vacuum cleaners have problems with dark floors, as their fall sensors can trigger incorrectly and detect a drop. This effect increases as the distance between the sensor and the floor increases (for example, when descending from a higher carpet). As the robot hoover is slightly further away from the floor for a short moment when driving up the ramp at the transition to the level than is the case on the level, the devices concerned and a sufficiently dark floor sometimes cause the false triggering described above, so that the robot hoover drives back down the ramp it has already driven up.
Solution approach:
This problem can usually be prevented by using a sufficiently deep platform, as in this case it is not the dark floor covering that is detected by the fall sensor at the critical moment, but the lighter surface of the platform of the door threshold ramp. If there are no potential fall points such as stairs in the household, the problem can often be solved by simply masking the fall sensors.
What do I need a platform for?
In most cases, the pedestal has a purely visual character. It is usually used to support overhanging door frames (after renovation) or shortened doors so that they do not hang in the air.
Another application is the extension of the ramp depth in order to achieve a desired overall depth, which is then exactly flush with an edge in the room, for example. Many customers also order a platform simply because they like the ramp better.
My door reaches down to the lower floor level. What options do I have for installing a doorstep ramp there anyway?
- Many of our customers have been able to solve this problem by using fitting rings. These are spacer rings that are inserted into the door hinge, which raises the door. The prerequisite here is that there is still sufficient space between the door and the door frame.
- Any door made of wood or MDF can be shortened to the desired length very easily using a hand-held circular saw (or a guided jigsaw if necessary) with a little manual skill. The resulting empty space between the shortened door and the lower floor level can then be perfectly filled with a threshold ramp with a platform.
