Attic Ladder Repair

[lnester]

I have searched the internet far and wide, and it's like contractors are keeping some long lost secret from the world. They're isn't much information out there.

My attic fold down ladder keeps binding up, making it difficult to pull down. I think the springs are pulling too hard, bending the arms inward, which then scrapes up against the wood ladder.

I had a contractor tell me that the springs need to be replaced. But that didn't make sense. If springs "wear out" wouldn't they become too loose/long?

[sideways]

Buy a new ladder $150 complete


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[jerp]

I had reoccurring problems with my 20 year old cheap, builder grade attic ladder. (wood) After getting frustrated trying to fix it I decided to upgrade to an aluminum model with gas struts. I had to wait until one of my sons could come over to help me install it - not difficult but not a one man job. It was well worth the time and money - a rickety wood attic ladder can be dangerous. I think this is the one I bought:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-AE-7-67-ft-to-10-25-ft-Rough-Opening-22-5-in-x-54-in-Folding-Aluminum-Attic-Ladder-with-375-lbs-Capacity/1000054487

[Tx.Fisher]

Buy a new ladder $150 complete


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What he said. You’ll spend more time and headaches just trying to fix the springs. Just change out the whole unit.

[wellingtontx]

As referenced above, the new AL. pull downs are great. I will never own another wood version.

[BW412]

I cringe every time I go up mine. I may look at an aluminum one as well.

[powderburner]

replace.. I fixed my ladder in my old house. When it came time to see the home inspector wrote up a red flag on safety because the ladder was not per code.

I ended up paying the new home owner to make it go away but it for 150.00 it would have saved me down the road.

[Hoggslayer]

I had reoccurring problems with my 20 year old cheap, builder grade attic ladder. (wood) After getting frustrated trying to fix it I decided to upgrade to an aluminum model with gas struts. I had to wait until one of my sons could come over to help me install it - not difficult but not a one man job. It was well worth the time and money - a rickety wood attic ladder can be dangerous. I think this is the one I bought:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-AE-7...ity/1000054487

Thanks for the post. My ladder is on it's last leg and doesn't close properly. I think I found my next project.

[quarterback]

I had reoccurring problems with my 20 year old cheap, builder grade attic ladder. (wood) After getting frustrated trying to fix it I decided to upgrade to an aluminum model with gas struts. I had to wait until one of my sons could come over to help me install it - not difficult but not a one man job. It was well worth the time and money - a rickety wood attic ladder can be dangerous. I think this is the one I bought:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-AE-7...ity/1000054487

Thanks jerp. My old ladder won't fold all the way up any more. I need to look into this.

[brokeno]

Just like zerp said replace it with a new aluminum light weight one unless you repair is just adjusting the springs one way or another. I put a rope on the next to last step and tied it in the attic and some sliding dead bolts where my wife could pull up the ladder from the attic, lock it and pull the handle up to the 8 ft ceiling in case she ever needed to hid if someone was breaking in.

[SharpEnd]

Oh thanks for that link jerp! Last week during the cold blast I went up in our attic to adjust our recirc pump timer, and noticed a crack in the ladder near the top, and was figuring I'd need to repair. It has always been a heavy, difficult beast to pull down and put up. I'll have to get one from Lowes.

[AgBass01]

Yup, mine was binding up and wood starting to crack. Was easier to just buy a new one from Home Depot and replace it.

[gingib]

Yup, mine was binding up and wood starting to crack. Was easier to just buy a new one from Home Depot and replace it.

Yep mine on its last leg also. I will be doing this and replacing.

No brainer

[Greenheadless]

I had reoccurring problems with my 20 year old cheap, builder grade attic ladder. (wood) After getting frustrated trying to fix it I decided to upgrade to an aluminum model with gas struts. I had to wait until one of my sons could come over to help me install it - not difficult but not a one man job. It was well worth the time and money - a rickety wood attic ladder can be dangerous. I think this is the one I bought:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-AE-7...ity/1000054487

I put one of these in last year. It is awesome and was very easy to install.

[lnester]

Thx guys, looks like I'll be replacing it.