How To Repair Pull Down Attic Stairs

Practice you use your attic for storage, but realize that your attic stairs demand to be replaced? Larn how to do information technology yourself with this easy-to-follow tutorial.

How to repair attic ladder

Whether you're going through an organization frenzy or needing to put vacation decorations back in storage, the cranium plays an important function in your efforts. So what practise you practise when, instead of making headway, you discover yourself with broken attic stairs, or worse, you can no longer access the attic? You lot learn how to replace the cranium stairs.

Here are the details on how to replace an cranium ladder, including how to select a new one and how to install the ladder components yourself — potentially saving you a lot of coin.

Notation: This article describes replacing an existing attic ladder. If your home doesn't already take one or you lot're wanting to make changes to your existing opening, you may want to enlist the help of a professional installer. As well, if you are not confident in your sawing, squaring and aligning skills, consider hiring a professional.

Before You lot Get Started

When it comes to installing an cranium ladder, you shouldn't just grab a new ane off the shelf and get to town. Rather, you first demand to measure your existing ladder to determine the size that your new i needs to be. Measure the crude opening, as well as the distance from the ceiling to the flooring. Then, enlist the assist of a friend or relative and get together the following supplies:

- New, preassembled ladder in desired material and with desired features

- Carpenter square

- Drill bits, according to the manufacturer's instructions

- Hammer

- Hacksaw (for metallic steps)/Wood saw (for wood steps)

- Pencil

- Stepladder

- Tape measure

- Wrench, according to the manufacturer's instructions

- Phillips-head screwdriver

- Deck screws, according the manufacturer's instructions

- Support boards, according to the manufacturer'south instructions

- Shims

Be prepared that you could end up spending some time taking down your existing ladder components, depending on how badly damaged the ladder is. In fact, this may be the about time-consuming part of the whole process.

DIY Cranium Ladder Installation

When the erstwhile ladder is removed, proceed with the following instructions:

Remove the ladder's packaging, except for the tie that holds the stairs together, and check to make sure the new ladder is fully assembled and doesn't have any blemishes.
Remove whatsoever trim or hardware around the existing attic opening, verify that the opening is in good repair and double-bank check your measurements to ensure y'all've purchased the correct ladder size.
Install the back up boards with the deck screws to each header finish of the opening, co-ordinate to the manufacturer'southward instructions. These boards are temporary and will merely be used to back up the ladder while you are installing information technology.
Attach the pull string to the attic door co-ordinate to the manufacturer's instructions.
With i person in the attic and ane on the ground, lift the ladder through the rough opening and permit information technology residual on the 2 back up boards. Slide the ladder so that the hinge side is tight confronting the dorsum header board, being conscientious non to place whatever weight on the ladder until it is fully installed.
Center the ladder in the rough opening and temporarily secure the hinge side with 2 screws to the back header lath. These screws should merely go through the wood ladder frame, not through the metal swivel.
Open up the ladder door from below by pulling the cord, keeping the stairs bound together.
Measure the two diagonal dimensions of the opening from above the ladder. If they are within one-eighth of an inch of each other, the opening is square. If they aren't, add shims to the corners to adjust the frame. Bulldoze screws through the shims, to hold them in place.
Permanently install the ladder past drilling the necessary holes and screwing in the advisable screws to the hinge and mounting plates that are preassembled on the ladder frame, co-ordinate to the manufacturer's instructions.
Make sure the door closes easily and without interference. If necessary, accommodate the shims, to ensure a tight fit when airtight.
For condom purposes, remove the tops of any shims that extend above the frame.
Remove the temporary back up boards.
Measure the height from the ladder frame to the floor to determine the length that the stairs need to be.
Remove the tie holding the stairs together, mensurate and trim the stairs with the saw, if necessary, according to the manufacturer'due south instructions.
If applicable, attach the ladder feet according to the manufacturer's instructions. When the ladder is fully extended, the hinges should have no gaps, and the feet should be flat on the footing.
Re-attach any trim effectually the attic opening.
Caulk and insulate effectually the opening, both above and below the ladder, to avert air loss and access for pests.
If applicable, pigment the new ladder door.
Savour your new ladder!

Looking for pictures of the procedure? Click here.

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of whatever and all data contained herein.

NO Two HOMES ARE THE SAME. THAT'S WHY WE Take OPTIONS. FIND A Programme THAT FITS.

AHS Prospects image