How to Fix an Office Chair That Won’t Stay Up

An office chair is an important piece of furniture in an office or home office. Working and sitting for long hours can cause back pain. You can prevent it by using a comfortable office chair that can support your back. Thus, it is best to invest in an ergonomic and functional office chair.

But what if it’s always sinking? How can you fix it to stay up? Sinking is the common issue of chairs after years of using them. An office chair would cost you a considerable amount. If you think that the only issue is it doesn’t stay up, try fixing it first before buying a new one.

Why does an office chair sink?

An office chair that keeps on sinking is repairable. It doesn’t mean that you can’t use it anymore. The main cause of the problem is the cylinder is unable to lift. The cylinder is responsible for adjusting the chair. It has nitrogen gas in the cylinder. The gas moves in the chambers when bumping the lever, thus moving down and up. Once the cylinder seal leak and breaks, the chair won’t stay up anymore.

DIY Tips Fixing an Office Chair

Good thing there are ways you can do your own fixing a sinking chair. Here are some DIY tips you can try.

Jubilee Clip or Hose Clamp Method

This method is the most common way of fixing a sinking chair. 

1. Move the plastic tube up or down until exposing the metal cylinder. You can remove the plastic covering the cylinder. It may require pulling off the wheels to remove the skirt. 
2. After exposing the cylinder, wrap it with a 2cm hose clamp. The clamp has a screw and you need to loosen it before wrapping the cylinder. Make sure not to wrap it tightly. 
3. To ensure the clamp will hold onto the cylinder well, wrap the cylinder with rubber or duct tape. Clean and remove the grease or dirt on the cylinder before wrapping it. 
4. Determine the height of the chair you preferred before fixing the chair. Make sure the seat is on its proper level.
5. Check if the chair does not slide down beyond the clamp. See to it that the clamp is lower or higher than the cylinder to easily adjust the height.

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Use a PVC Pipe

Another way of fixing a sinking chair is through a PVC pipe. The idea of this method is to ensure the chair would not fall lower. You can add or remove the PVC pipe according to the height you want.

Here’s how.

1. Look for one that is a bit wider dimension of the chair’s cylinder, but with the same height.
2. Use a tape measure to determine the right dimension of the pipe.
3. Make sure that the PVC pipe is long enough so that it can cover the entire cylinder.
4. With a saw, cut the pipe from one tip to the other lengthwise. Thus, resulting in a slit. Make sure not to inhale the irritating particles from the pipe by wearing a mask.
5. Slide the slit so that it will attach to the cylinder. If you find difficulty inserting the cylinder, you can cut the pipe into shorter pieces. 

Use drill screws

You can also fix an office chair that keeps on sinking by using drill screws. 

1. The first thing to do is determine and set the height of the chair according to your preference. 
2. Before proceeding, mark the spot in which you will make a hole. 
3. Make a hole on the shaft using a drill.
4. Insert the screw and tighten it. 
5. Do not strip the screw so that you can change the height anytime.

You can also try other ways to fix or repair the office chair. Even if you’re not a mechanic you can fix it by trying simple tasks.

Using oil

The main cause an office chair keeps on sinking is because of the malfunctioning lever. If it is the issue, you can drop the oil into the joints so that it will work smoother. Make sure the cylinder is clean. Keep in mind that proper maintenance is necessary to ensure the efficient performance of the chair. 

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Cylinder replacement

If all the above-mentioned methods don’t work for the issue of your office chair, the last resort is to replace the cylinder. This option is simpler to do as compared to other options. The cylinder is not permanently fixed to the chair that’s why you can remove and replace it as necessary. 

A sinking chair is annoying, but sometimes it does not necessarily mean you need to replace or throw it. If you are experiencing such an issue in your office chair, worry no more because you can fix it even on your own. 

As discussed above, there are different possible reasons the chair is sinking. The first thing to do is check every part of the chair, especially the hydraulic cylinder. The valve gets weak with the passing of time as the air moves in and out. 

Proper maintenance can help to prevent the cylinder from wearing out. But if the issue is present, you can do any of the methods listed above. You can do those inexpensive methods at the convenience of your home. Fixing your sinking chair is not that difficult as long as you are handy and can follow the simple steps. 

You may think it is difficult, but it’s not. Gather all the materials you will need to fix the chair. Study how to carry out the method, and everything flows smoothly. You may find it time-consuming, but it will save you money after fixing it on your own. 

After fixing the chair you may not experience the same comfort as before. But you can still use it many times. However, if you think that the issue is beyond repairable, then it’s about time to buy a new one and make sure to maintain it properly to avoid the sinking issue.