How To Repair Attic Ladder

Do you use your attic for storage, but realize that your attic stairs demand to be replaced? Learn how to do it yourself with this easy-to-follow tutorial.

How to repair attic ladder

Whether you're going through an organization frenzy or needing to put holiday decorations back in storage, the cranium plays an important role in your efforts. Then what practise you do when, instead of making headway, you find yourself with broken cranium stairs, or worse, you tin can no longer admission the cranium? You lot learn how to replace the attic stairs.

Here are the details on how to replace an cranium ladder, including how to select a new 1 and how to install the ladder components yourself — potentially saving y'all a lot of money.

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

Earlier You Get Started

When it comes to installing an cranium ladder, y'all shouldn't only take hold of a new one off the shelf and get to town. Rather, yous first need to measure out your existing ladder to determine the size that your new one needs to exist. Mensurate the crude opening, besides as the distance from the ceiling to the floor. So, enlist the help 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 forest steps)

- Pencil

- Stepladder

- Tape mensurate

- Wrench, according to the manufacturer'southward instructions

- Phillips-head screwdriver

- Deck screws, according the manufacturer's instructions

- Support boards, according to the manufacturer's instructions

- Shims

Exist 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 most time-consuming part of the whole process.

DIY Attic Ladder Installation

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

Remove the ladder's packaging, except for the tie that holds the stairs together, and bank check to brand sure the new ladder is fully assembled and doesn't accept whatever blemishes.
Remove any trim or hardware effectually the existing attic opening, verify that the opening is in good repair and double-check your measurements to ensure y'all've purchased the right ladder size.
Install the support boards with the deck screws to each header end of the opening, according to the manufacturer's instructions. These boards are temporary and volition only be used to support the ladder while you are installing information technology.
Attach the pull cord to the attic door according to the manufacturer's instructions.
With one person in the cranium and 1 on the footing, lift the ladder through the rough opening and permit information technology balance on the two support boards. Slide the ladder and then that the hinge side is tight against the back header board, beingness conscientious non to identify any weight on the ladder until it is fully installed.
Center the ladder in the rough opening and temporarily secure the hinge side with ii screws to the back header board. These screws should only go through the wood ladder frame, non through the metal hinge.
Open the ladder door from beneath by pulling the string, keeping the stairs bound together.
Measure out the two diagonal dimensions of the opening from to a higher place the ladder. If they are within 1-eighth of an inch of each other, the opening is square. If they aren't, add shims to the corners to adjust the frame. Drive screws through the shims, to hold them in place.
Permanently install the ladder past drilling the necessary holes and screwing in the appropriate screws to the hinge and mounting plates that are preassembled on the ladder frame, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Make certain the door closes easily and without interference. If necessary, adjust the shims, to ensure a tight fit when closed.
For safety purposes, remove the tops of any shims that extend above the frame.
Remove the temporary back up boards.
Measure the summit from the ladder frame to the floor to determine the length that the stairs demand to exist.
Remove the necktie holding the stairs together, measure and trim the stairs with the saw, if necessary, co-ordinate to the manufacturer'southward instructions.
If applicative, attach the ladder feet according to the manufacturer'southward instructions. When the ladder is fully extended, the hinges should have no gaps, and the feet should be apartment on the basis.
Re-attach any trim around the attic opening.
Caulk and insulate around the opening, both higher up and below the ladder, to avoid air loss and access for pests.
If applicable, paint the new ladder door.
Enjoy your new ladder!