loft ladder too short - should we change?

Le_Kirk

What's that knocking noise???

am72

Ha ha! I'm back.
Existing ladder is Fakro LWK 280

Have asked installer which he can do as alternative " To install a 4 section ladder to max ceiling 3050 mmI would need to fit a bigger ladder 600x130 cm.I can poss add a hinged 4th section only small to the bottom of the ladder installed to give the extra length required in stead of using the floor board."

Am not sure about this since can't see anything saying that possible to add a section to the existing ladder so doubt safety of that.

Unfortunately other half is away this evening and installer says that he told him in advance that may not fit and might need 'packing'. Can't verify this but doubt it... and doesn't explain why a professional would turn up with a ladder which is 280cm long to a ceiling that is 281cm high. It was bound not to fit and packing was always going to be necessary.

By the way, never doubted that would have to pay more. But was asking the question if others would bother changing or just put up with a ladder that is too short to save inconvenience of changing.

Norman_Castle

If the foot end of the ladder is as pictured and its only 1cm too short its possible extending it slightly may work. Its limited by catching on the loft hatch.
If the foot is extended and cut to an angle opposite to the one shown above the ladder could be slightly longer without catching.

Its likely the bigger ladder, 600x130, means a bigger loft hatch.

If your partner new the ladder may be short and agreed to try it its not entirely the fitter fault. For £80 I would use a floorboard under it.

2.81m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YOUNGMAN-ECO-S-LINE-TIMBER-FOLDING-LOFT-LADDER-HATCH-/360344669951?hash=item53e6374eff:g:q0YAAOxyrrpTiIlx

ManuelG

am72 wrote: »

By the way, never doubted that would have to pay more. But was asking the question if others would bother changing or just put up with a ladder that is too short to save inconvenience of changing.

Change it, you'll get annoyed otherwise.

am72

yes Norman - seemingly it looked like it was going to be ok but had to be trimmed to fit through hatch and then too short.
we would have been more than happy to have paid for the right one in advance as would have only added about £60-70 to total price of £395. We're paying nearly £300 just for installation.
And yes would be a bigger loft hatch.
And so may end up being a botched job since very neatly done now.
Husband says that doesn't remember being asked at start if fitting a ladder that was too short was ok.
So disappointed but resigned that may just have to put up with this.

Norman_Castle

had to be trimmed to fit through hatch and then too short.

Why would a 2.8 m ladder need to be trimmed for a 2.81 m ceiling height?.

If the ends of the legs are cut square and the angle is from the plastic feet, could the feet be turned around?

am72

Norman
I think it must be design of ladder?
If feet were turned then they would not sit flush with floor I presume.
He says he will install right one for £90 but wants us to pay the existing invoice first.
AM

DaftyDuck

Hang on... the trimming is the problem here, surely. Yes, once a loft ladder is installed, the bottom of the feet are trimmed at the correct angle to fit the rubber boots on. But trimming to fit through the hatch... ?? That should not be needed or done! Did your bloke make the hatch opening as well? If so, did he make that too small, have to overtrim the ladder, and then find it was not long enough? The supplied hatch fits the supplied ladder; fit the hatch correctly, and you'll not need to trim the ladder. Alter the hatch, or wrongly fit the ladder, and you've botched the job.

How much was trimmed (got the offcuts?) and was it done to fit the hatch?

I've fitted four or five in my time. I'd probably have opted for a 2.80 ladder for a 2.81 ceiling (assuming the ladder is drop from ceiling, not from hatch fitting - worth checking), and confidently expect it to work just fine. But, if I chopped 5 cm off the bottom 'cos I'd botched the hatch... then I'd know I'd have an embarrassing tale to tell my wife when she came to check it out.

glentoran99

I wouldn't be paying any extra or even the original invoice until its fixed, You arranged a quote, they measured and gave you a price, they need to honour that

stator

I think you should move house