Check your Attic Ladders!
11-04-2017, 02:28 PM
#21
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2002
Location: Bonita Springs, Florida
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He was the first person I called. He just chuckled when I told him the story. According to him he has installed many over the past 30 years or so and never heard of a problem. Of course, if you are dead I guess you can't complain!
When I mentioned to him that he used the wrong kind/number of screws and that 1/4" Lags were recommended by the manufacturer, he said "You don't want to use those because they will split the wood and you would have to drill pilot holes". God forbid that someone would have to take 5 minutes to drill pilot holes to save a life! If I were him, I would not be laughing about the issue - I would be going back to every install I had done over the years offering a free safety check to hopefully avoid a multi-million dollar lawsuit!
When I mentioned to him that he used the wrong kind/number of screws and that 1/4" Lags were recommended by the manufacturer, he said "You don't want to use those because they will split the wood and you would have to drill pilot holes". God forbid that someone would have to take 5 minutes to drill pilot holes to save a life! If I were him, I would not be laughing about the issue - I would be going back to every install I had done over the years offering a free safety check to hopefully avoid a multi-million dollar lawsuit!
Last edited by Mike98SilVert; 11-04-2017 at 02:28 PM.
11-04-2017, 05:27 PM
#24
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
If the ladder were a single section and leaned against a wall, then it probably does take nearly all the weight at the bottom, but since these stairs essentially bend in the middle towards the attic, I am not so sure. Even if this ladder were secured totally at the top and bottom (on the floor) - without those side struts it would try to sag in the middle - that would mean those little side members could easily take a lot of the load? I would not want to try to climb up that 3-section ladder even if it were bolted at the top AND to the floor without those side struts securely in place.
In addition to using the wrong screws, I also did not find any "shims" in the pieces that came down, so it is also totally possible that the frame was not completely snug to the joist which obviously would be a disaster - if that was the case it is amazing it lasted 15 years!
I guess the thing that surprises me the most, is that even with the new Louisville 375-lb limit replacement I just bought, it also only provides for a single screw to be used at each side member attachment point through the metal pivots - so no matter how many screws I add to the cheap wooden frame the integrity still rests on a single screw!
Last edited by Choreo; 11-04-2017 at 05:29 PM.
11-04-2017, 05:54 PM
#25
Drifting
Forgot about it hinging. I think you are right, once you get above the bottom hinge in the ladder that support carries the weight. I used a similar one for many years, but I installed a 2x12 all around the opening in the attic to keep blown insulation out and also so you had to climb over it at the top. Keeps your feet from accidentally going in the hole.
11-04-2017, 06:10 PM
#26
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Forgot about it hinging. I think you are right, once you get above the bottom hinge in the ladder that support carries the weight. I used a similar one for many years, but I installed a 2x12 all around the opening in the attic to keep blown insulation out and also so you had to climb over it at the top. Keeps your feet from accidentally going in the hole.
I plan to add some nylon ratchet straps and buckles rated at 3000-lbs going from the pivot points on the joists and through the bottom of the top section of the ladder to be on (hopefully) the safe side. I will post some photos after the new install. I never have trusted those swing down supports! In 20 years this is the first time my house tried to kill me!
Last edited by Choreo; 11-04-2017 at 06:16 PM.
11-05-2017, 10:56 PM
#27
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2013
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Excellent post and one of many perils awaiting in your garage. Garage doors with springs instead of torsion bars need a safety wire run through the spring. I had a spring pop years ago with $ 3k damage to the 911 below. Poorly attached shelving is another area to check.
11-06-2017, 07:05 AM
#29
Racer
Good idéal I ll check tanks
