A common issue that we routinely observe during the performance of a Raleigh Home Inspection, and a significantly safety-related issue at that, concerns the installation and configuration/condition of attic access pull-down stair units. The reason that this is such an important issue is that an improperly installed unit, or a damaged, deficient unit, is unsafe. Use of an unsafe stair can lead to serious physical injury. Pull-down stairs are certainly convenient..but like so many other things, they should be cautiously viewed as a potential hazard.

Probably the most common issue involves whether or not the stair unit has been appropriately sized for the ceiling height. In new construction (yes…that’s a brand new house), we find them too short…such as when a unit designed for an 8′ ceiling height is installed where there is a 9′+ ceiling height.

This stair unit, installed in a brand new home, is too short; a proper unit should have been installed...Didn't anyone notice this?

And we find them too long…where the stair legs have not been cut to length. The legs sometimes need to be shortened and cut to set evenly upon the floor.

This attic pull-down stair is too long...and need to be cut to a proper length

We find that they are often not well or properly installed into their rough opening. Stair unit manufacturers typically require that they be securely fastened on all sides using 16d (16 penny) nails…but we find them to have been installed using general purpose screws, finish nails, and most anything other than what is required. And the unit should be “shimmed”, before being fastened into place, to account for the difference between the size of the unit ad the size of the rough opening…the use of shims is often foregone. Here in the Raleigh, NC area, there was an incident some years back where a Building Inspector for a local municipality was at a brand new home to do a “final inspection” in advance of issuing a Certificate of Occupancy. The Inspector was half way up the stair unit when the entire assembly became detached and fell from its rough opening and hit the Inspector square in the face. The Inspector was seriously injured in that he lost more than a couple of teeth, required many stitches to close the resultant wounds, and just generally had a bad day because of the carelessness inattention to detail of someone else….I doubt that the builder received his Certificate of Occupancy on that home on that day…

There is a myriad of other issues that we see as well…there is loose hardware at hinges and at treads. We find them installed in improper locations. We find cracked and broken wood stair treads and stringers. We find defective spring assemblies that can become detached and become projectiles. We find structural damage to the home as a result of the installation; usually, this occurs when the bottom chords of pre-engineered wood trusses have been “field modified” (that means, in this context, deliberately damaged out of ignorance…What? I can’t just cut these pieces of wood that are in the way?). This particular defect is structural in nature and generally requires the services of a licensed Professional Engineer to provide engineering directive as to appropriate repairs.

How can someone make sure a pull-down stair is installed properly and is safe to use. First, for a home that you are considering purchasing, have a professional Home Inspection performed; this would certainly be one area that would be observed and inspected. Or if you are concerned about the safety of a stair unit currently installed in your home where you reside, educate yourself about the topic and go evaluate them yourself. A basic checklist of obvious things to look for are:

• Is the unit securely fastened into its rough opening on all sides using 16d nails or per the manufacturers instruction (which are often stamped directly onto the frame)?
• Does the unit fully extend, with its feet evenly set upon the floor?
• Is there any missing hardware?
• Is there any loose hardware?
• Are there any broken or cracked pieces of wood at the treads, stringers, or frame?
• Are the spring assemblies in good condition and securely attached?
• Does the unit operate (fold and unfold) smoothly?
• Dose the unit fully close?

Should you find any deficiencies with any of these points of inspection, then it would be prudent to consult a licensed contractor, or other competent professional, to get that stair back into a good, safe working order.

Call Quality Residential Inspections to schedule your Home Inspection today; they can be reached at 919.848.4833, or Schedule Your Home Inspection Online.