The attic ladder for our house is the original dinky wooden stair model and it's way past point of needing replacement. I find myself avoiding some tasks in the attic as I'm always sure that it's going to give out. Anyone successfully (and hopefully rather uneventfully) replace their attic access ladder alone with only assistance from other tools/rigging?

I think I can handle this alone and I am always reluctant to hire someone to do these tasks (mainly due to ego ha). Just curious to get insight/advice from anyone here who either successfully or unsuccessfully took this on.

i had the same thought but decided to get someone else to do it, but I watched this video. I think the key is the temporary support/shelf to let it sit on while you bolt it in.

You can do it but the difficult part is making sure that the temporary supports are supporting the frame and not blocking the door. When your up in the attic you can't tell. So before you start fastening the ladder make sure you can still open it.

ThreatLevel: Midnight said:

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The attic ladder for our house is the original dinky wooden stair model and it's way past point of needing replacement. I find myself avoiding some tasks in the attic as I'm always sure that it's going to give out. Anyone successfully (and hopefully rather uneventfully) replace their attic access ladder alone with only assistance from other tools/rigging?

I think I can handle this alone and I am always reluctant to hire someone to do these tasks (mainly due to ego ha). Just curious to get insight/advice from anyone here who either successfully or unsuccessfully took this on.

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I'd pay a few strong neighbor kids (HS or college) to come over and help hold things in place while you remove the old one and screw in the new one.

Most of the better units come with lag bolts. You can also use a structural screw such as Spax or Grk. That being said I have seen some crazy anchoring in ones I have replaced. Some only held in place with trim nails, some with sheetrock screws, some with deck screws and I have never seen one fail even with these non approved anchors but I would never install them that way.

I have probably replaced/installed 30+ of these over the years and I don't like doing them with 2 people and would not attempt it with just one. At least get a helper is my advice.


These are what I install when I do one. Nice quality and very strong compared to wood ones.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-AH2510-8-ft-to-10-ft-Rough-Opening-25-in-x-54-in-Folding-Aluminum-Attic-Ladder-with-375-lbs-Capacity/5013806047

It's doable with one if you do the support boards correctly, but harder than it needs to be. Second the "get someone to be a strong back to help with the lifting."

I've done two by myself in my current home. First was with my pregnant wife, so she watched me to make sure I didn't die.

I used rachet straps on rafters above to pull it up and then used drywall screws to put the temp straps in place. I opted for the lag screws instead of the nails supplied.

I got down from the attic, I took off most of the stairs and used a ladder to get up/ down, and then pushing the unit up I leveled it with the ceiling and put it in with the lag screws. 16 in total I believe.

Then put the rest of the ladder on and trimmed it out with the old trim. Caulk from the attic side to seal up and paint.

I replaced two original 1986 wooden ladders that are missing bolts and bending a lot.

Having a second hand is helpful and would make it easier though.

~egon

Another mostly solo here. Agree with getting the support boards just right. I mostly did and had it all figured out until I was stuck in the attic with one overlapping piece. Called the wife and I had the ladder ready so there were no issues until she stripped out the screw head. Fortunately my neighbor came over right then and he was able to get a bite on it. I had helped him do his and he called me an idiot for not calling him over for the 10 minutes when it helps to have a second pair of hands.

Can be done, but have to have several dress rehearsals.

JP76 said:

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https://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-AH2510-8-ft-to-10-ft-Rough-Opening-25-in-x-54-in-Folding-Aluminum-Attic-Ladder-with-375-lbs-Capacity/5013806047

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That's the one I used. Have a number of different shims ready and make sure you buy the right size. Definitely a lot better than the crappy old wooden one I had that was going on 30 years old.

Where you at OP? I may be able to give you a hand

Sea Speed said:

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Where you at OP? I may be able to give you a hand

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Profile says Houston.