Warning...Attic drop down stairs

[ctreick]

Be sure your drop down attic stairs have been installed correctly. I was taking Christmas decorations down over the weekend and the frame of the stairs fell down while i was standing on the stairs. Luckily it was still attached on the end with bracket so i was able to hang on it until by daughter helped me down. We noticed that there were no bolts attaching this frame to the house, only the trim moulding around the edge was holding it in. There are holes in the frame itself where the bolts were meant to go but were never bolted in.

The only reason it stayed in so long was the stairs were resting on the ground when i was on them. This was the original installation when the house was built... Be sure to check the framework on the your stairs to be sure they are actually bolted into the house so the whole thing doesn't fall down

[retiredguy123]

Wow. Are you saying that the builder installed the stairs? I didn't think the builder installed attic stairs, and the builder usually paints the trim, and wouldn't leave exposed screws on the trim. It looks more like an amateur DIY installation.

[ctreick]

Wow. Are you saying that the builder installed the stairs? I didn't think the builder installed attic stairs, and the builder usually paints the trim, and wouldn't leave exposed screws on the trim. It looks more like an amateur DIY installation.

Not sure, we bought the house pre-owned. This is just a warning for residents to check their stairs

[villagetinker]

OP, you are correct, this was NOT installed correctly. I did my own, and the installation manual was very clear on where and the number and type of screws (nails?) to be installed for a safe installation. Glad you were not injured.

[patfla06]

Thanks for the warning!
So glad you’re okay.

[Bjeanj]

Thanks for the warning. We bought our home pre-owned. We will have to check to make sure ours was installed properly.

[Michael G.]

I have an aluminum pull-down stair that seems a little better than a wooden one.
You're a lucky man

[yabbadu]

Not a builder installed item. Whomever owned the home before and hired an installer or did it themselves But not the builder!

[Aces4]

Congrats to you for avoiding a potential catastrophe. We’re happy to hear you weren’t injured or worse. :shocked:

[Worldseries27]

wow. Are you saying that the builder installed the stairs? I didn't think the builder installed attic stairs, and the builder usually paints the trim, and wouldn't leave exposed screws on the trim. It looks more like an amateur diy installation.
builder installed my stairs

[Worldseries27]

I live south of 44. Builder installed my attic stairs

[Catalina36]

Be sure your drop down attic stairs have been installed correctly. I was taking Christmas decorations down over the weekend and the frame of the stairs fell down while i was standing on the stairs. Luckily it was still attached on the end with bracket so i was able to hang on it until by daughter helped me down. We noticed that there were no bolts attaching this frame to the house, only the trim moulding around the edge was holding it in. There are holes in the frame itself where the bolts were meant to go but were never bolted in.

The only reason it stayed in so long was the stairs were resting on the ground when i was on them. This was the original installation when the house was built... Be sure to check the framework on the your stairs to be sure they are actually bolted into the house so the whole thing doesn't fall down

Good Report on the garage attic stairs. Thank god you weren't hurt. I don't have garage attic stairs but I was thinking of having the stairs installed. I prefer the aluminum stairs over the wood stairs. I have a house up north that came with wood attic stairs and as they get old they get loose and rickety from use. I replaced the wood stairs with the aluminum stairs. A lot stronger and safer.
Happy Holidays

[retiredguy123]

I live south of 44. Builder installed my attic stairs
Do they look like the one on the OP's post, with unpainted trim, and large exposed screws on the trim? It also looks like the long trim piece doesn't match the short piece, and the trim has been stained, but it is not stain grade wood. I hope the OP's stairs were not installed by The Villages.

[Worldseries27]

do they look like the one on the op's post, with unpainted trim, and large exposed screws on the trim? It also looks like the long trim piece doesn't match the short piece, and the trim has been stained, but it is not stain grade wood. I hope the op's stairs were not installed by the villages.
her
INSTALLED 2021

[Janie123]

Be sure your drop down attic stairs have been installed correctly. I was taking Christmas decorations down over the weekend and the frame of the stairs fell down while i was standing on the stairs. Luckily it was still attached on the end with bracket so i was able to hang on it until by daughter helped me down. We noticed that there were no bolts attaching this frame to the house, only the trim moulding around the edge was holding it in. There are holes in the frame itself where the bolts were meant to go but were never bolted in.

The only reason it stayed in so long was the stairs were resting on the ground when i was on them. This was the original installation when the house was built... Be sure to check the framework on the your stairs to be sure they are actually bolted into the house so the whole thing doesn't fall down
I just bought in TV and being a large man, the original stairs 20 years ago were rated at 250 lbs which included the boxes on your shoulder. I think over 20 years, they probably lost some of that 250lb rating as I felt an injury in my future. I bought new aluminum stairs at Lowe’s rated at 375 lbs and had them professionally installed. Solid as a rock now.

[merrymini]

To my knowledge the builder never installed attic stairs and whoever did these did not know what they were doing. I had them installed by a professional and they only cost $275, aluminum and work like a dream.

[woodman22]

Who installed the stairs? Phone number.

[jrref]

For less than the cost of one emergency room visit you can have Majic attic stairs or a lift installed.

[Dgodin]

If the builder was The Villages then the builder didn't install the stairs. When our house was built by The Villages we requested attic stairs but were told they didn't install them so we had an outside contractor do it. Don't know why The Villages wouldn't but they also wouldn't put light sets in the ceiling fans.

[Wondering]

Be sure your drop down attic stairs have been installed correctly. I was taking Christmas decorations down over the weekend and the frame of the stairs fell down while i was standing on the stairs. Luckily it was still attached on the end with bracket so i was able to hang on it until by daughter helped me down. We noticed that there were no bolts attaching this frame to the house, only the trim moulding around the edge was holding it in. There are holes in the frame itself where the bolts were meant to go but were never bolted in.

The only reason it stayed in so long was the stairs were resting on the ground when i was on them. This was the original installation when the house was built... Be sure to check the framework on the your stairs to be sure they are actually bolted into the house so the whole thing doesn't fall down
I've been a resident since 2005. To my knowledge the builders never installed attic stairs. Homeowner would hire a contractor to install stairs. Your house must be circa before 2000 because you have popcorn ceilings and your trim molding is not painted.

[OhioBuckeye]

Personally I think the stairs the builders put in are terribly unsafe. Yea, I know some people never have an issue with them. Put a Aluminum attic stairs in, this is one of the first things I do when I buy a new home. But sounds like to me it was poor workmanship. Hope you notified the contractor about this shabby work, you could of been seriously injured. Glad your daughter was there!

[jimkerr]

That's poor installation. You can tell by the wood trim that they didn't know what they were doing not to mention the frame! I'm glad you didn't get hurt.

[Chi-Town]

Majic Stairs are worth looking into.


https://majicstairsinc.com/

[ctreick]

I've been a resident since 2005. To my knowledge the builders never installed attic stairs. Homeowner would hire a contractor to install stairs. Your house must be circa before 2000 because you have popcorn ceilings and your trim molding is not painted.

our house is 2004, we bought it preowned so not sure who installed them, this was just and alert anyone to check theirs.

[rnicholis]

Having fallen from an attic ladder I had installed 3 months previously when we moved in I learned about Majic Stairs and Versalift an investment I would have made had I known the products existed never liking the attic stairs thin profile. With Majic Stairs I have a full set of stairs with bannisters and since I have the versalift as well I never need to hold anything in my hands going up to or down from the attic making it very safe. I strongly recommend them despite the expense because the cost of injury is much more than money.

[JMintzer]

Personally I think the stairs the builders put in are terribly unsafe. Yea, I know some people never have an issue with them. Put a Aluminum attic stairs in, this is one of the first things I do when I buy a new home. But sounds like to me it was poor workmanship. Hope you notified the contractor about this shabby work, you could of been seriously injured. Glad your daughter was there!

Wait, I thought "the builder" didn't install attic stairs...

[rogerk]

Scary stuff! I recommend you check out Magic Stairs. I have their Magic Stairs lift and I want their stairs. There products are safe, convenient and we'll made. Unfortunately they are a bit pricey compared to the ones you buy at the big box stores.

Stay safe this holiday season!

[Nana2Teddy]

We close on a new home next week, and don’t plan on using the attic at all. It’s too hot, and definitely dangerous for seniors. Declutter! 😉

[Altavia]

Make sure the stairs are fire rated.

Pull down ladder in a fire ceiling | Honest Home Inspections (https://www.honesthomeinspections.com/node/128)

[Barborv]

We also installed magic stairs. It is an exense, but if you are planning to store things in the attic it is very well worth it. I couldnt and wouldn't attempt to go up and down the wood pull down ladder. With magic stairs you go up holding a banister and go down the way you would a regular staircase. We are thinking about installing a versa lift too.

[Byte1]

Hmmm, it appears that when one says they have a "drop down ladder" they mean just that....DROP DOWN.

[PoolBrews]

Hmmm, it appears that when one says they have a "drop down ladder" they mean just that....DROP DOWN.

If you install them yourself you know exactly what you have :)

[rschwan9]

I just bought in TV and being a large man, the original stairs 20 years ago were rated at 250 lbs which included the boxes on your shoulder. I think over 20 years, they probably lost some of that 250lb rating as I felt an injury in my future. I bought new aluminum stairs at Lowe’s rated at 375 lbs and had them professionally installed. Solid as a rock now.

Who did the professional installation? Approx cost?

[Pairadocs]

Wow. Are you saying that the builder installed the stairs? I didn't think the builder installed attic stairs, and the builder usually paints the trim, and wouldn't leave exposed screws on the trim. It looks more like an amateur DIY installation.

At the time we built, we were told NONE of the contractors working for T.V.'s installed attic stairs. We were told (and did) to contact one of the various small businesses that did attic stairs... same as we had to do for guttering, at that time when you built to order, there were no options if you wanted guttering. Perhaps now that the V's builds "spec" homes, they come with stairs and gutters ? Not sure !

[MsPCGenius]

.... Perhaps now that the V's builds "spec" homes, they come with stairs and gutters ? Not sure !

They do not....

[Pairadocs]

We close on a new home next week, and don’t plan on using the attic at all. It’s too hot, and definitely dangerous for seniors. Declutter! 😉

Just a tip.... even though you don't plan on using any of that additional storage area, you might want to check on why it is too hot. That's not good, lots of other reasons aside from storage. It obviously is not vented properly, or enough, and you should be able to correct this at a reasonable cost. We do use ours a great deal for off season storage. It is warmer in the summer of course, but nothing excessive. When stairs are down, you can actually feel the air/breezes as it circulates in the the attic, but additional venting can be added if not sufficient.