[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by 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.

builder installed my stairs

[Worldseries27]

I live south of 44. Builder installed my attic stairs

[Catalina36]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by Worldseries27

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]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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]

Originally Posted by 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

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.