Attic Stairs

Many homes, both old and new, have attic spaces that are used as another room, or are partially finished and used for extra storage space. Some of these attics feature sets of retractable attic stairs, which are great space savers, but like most things in our homes, they do require some preventative maintenance to keep them in safe working order.

Perhaps one of the most important parts of retractable stairs are the brackets used for securing them to the opening of the attic. Remembering that wood tends to expand and contract with changing temperatures, it’s necessary to check these mounting brackets a few times per year.

See that all of the nuts, bolts, and screws are securely in place, and that none are stripped or otherwise damaged. Most often, you’ll only need to tighten a few of the screws, although if the stairs are used often and has all of the original parts, you may want to replace the mounting brackets as a safety precaution.

It’s important to periodically check the many joints that connect your attic stairs together. The majority of retractable attic stairs will indicate a weight limit, but rarely is it observed, which over a period of time, may put unnecessary strain on the individual stairs, or on the entire mechanism itself. Since attics are often used for storage purposes, imagine carrying a heavy box of decorations only to have a portion of the stairs give way.

A few times a year, check to see that the actual steps on your home’s attic stairs are still in top condition. If the steps are wooden, you’ll want to look for any signs of cracked or split wood, or if any areas seem to be wearing smooth or thin.

For metal steps, you’ll also want to check for any areas that may have been worn thin or have begun to bend. Any of these small, but potentially dangerous conditions could lead to a serious injury that could have easily been prevented. Always replace any single step that appears to be in any type of disrepair.

Keeping your attic stairs safe and in perfect working order isn’t hard to do. By simply inspecting them on a regular basis, say at least twice a year when you’re changing the smoke alarm batteries, you’ll be able to take care of any potential problems before they become a safety hazard.