Watch that First Step!!!

    Attic pull-down ladders, AKA pull-down stairways, are collapsible ladders that are permanently attached to the attic floor. In order to save money, I find that homeowners, not professional carpenters, typically install attic pull-down ladders. Evidence of this distinction can be observed in consistently shoddy and dangerous work that rarely meets industry safety standards.
    Some of the more common defective conditions I observe include:
     - cut bottom cord of structural framing members.    
    - secured with improper nails or screws.
    - fastened with an insufficient number of nails or screws.
    - loose mounting bolts.
    - cut too short. Stairs should reach the floor;
    - cut too long. This causes pressure at the folding hinge, which can cause breakage;
    - improper or missing fasteners;
     - cracked steps. This defect is a problem with wooden ladders.

Tips to pass on to your clients:
     - Do not allow children to enter the attic through an attic access.
    - Make sure the lanyard attached to the attic stairs is short enough that children cannot reach it.
    - Avoid carrying large loads into the attic.
    - Replace an old, rickety wooden ladder with a new one. Newer aluminum models are often lightweight, sturdy and easy to install.

It is a great day at Complete Home Inspections!