| Attic Pull-Down Ladders |
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By Nick Gromicko, Rob London and Ralph Brady
Attic pull-down ladders are folding and/or sliding ladders that are permanently
attached to the attic floor. Occupants can use these ladders to access their
attics more effectively.
Common Defects
Homeowners, not professional carpenters, usually install attic pull-down
ladders. Evidence of this distinction can be observed in unprofessional
workmanship that rarely meets safety standards. Some of the more common
defects noted by inspectors include:
Attic pull-down ladders are folding and/or sliding ladders that are permanently
attached to the attic floor. Occupants can use these ladders to access their
attics more effectively.
Common Defects
Homeowners, not professional carpenters, usually install attic pull-down
ladders. Evidence of this distinction can be observed in unprofessional
workmanship that rarely meets safety standards. Some of the more common
defects noted by inspectors include:
- cut attic/ceiling support components/joists. Often, homeowners will cut
through a structural member while installing a pull-down ladder,
unknowingly weakening the structure. Structural members should not
be modified without an engineer’s approval; - fastened with improper nails or screws. Homeowners often use
drywall or deck screws rather than the standard 16d penny nails or ¼”
x 3” lag screws. Nails and screws that are intended for other purposes
may have reduced shear strength and they may not support pull-down
ladders; - No nails through the holes provided in the metal mounting brackets.
The brackets should be secured to the attic framing and not just the
stair framing to reduce risk of disconnection. Inspectors often see
“place nail here” labels near the brackets with missing nails; - lack of insulation. Hatches in many houses (especially older ones) are
not likely to be weather-stripped and/or insulated. An uninsulated attic
hatch allows air from the attic to flow freely into the home, which may
cause the heating or cooling system to run overtime. An attic hatch
cover box can be installed to increase energy savings; - loose mounting/hinge hardware. This condition is more often caused
by age rather than installation, although improper installation will
hasten the loosening process; - •attic pull-down ladders are cut too short or too long. This causes
excess pressure at the hardware, which can result in breakage/failure; - compromised fire barrier when installed in the garage;
- cracked steps. This defect is a problem with wooden ladders.
Inspectors Tips:
In summary, attic pull-down ladders are prone to a number of defects, most of which are due to improper installation.
- Do not allow children to enter the attic through an attic access. The lanyard attached to the attic stairs should be short enough
that children cannot reach it. Parents can also lock the attic ladder so that a key or combination is required to access it. - If possible, avoid carrying large loads into the attic. While properly installed stairways may safely support an adult man, they
might fail if he is carrying, for instance, a bag full of bowling balls. Such trips can be split up to reduce the weight load. - Replace an old, rickety wooden ladder with a new one. Newer aluminum models are often lightweight, sturdy and easy to
install. - In sliding pull-down ladders, there is a potential for the ladder to slide down quickly without notice. Always pull the ladder
down slowly and cautiously.
In summary, attic pull-down ladders are prone to a number of defects, most of which are due to improper installation.
| Brady Home Inspection Eureka, CA 707 444-9922 |
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