How to Fix an Attic Ladder Ceiling Cover?

• 

  original15 on 30/10/2022 - 18:32

  When you pull it down are the springs attached correctly?
  Any ability to add another catch or swap it?

  • 

    AsukaST on 31/10/2022 - 00:04

    I would love to add another catch but not sure which one to add.
    Can you suggest me one?

    • 

      original15 on 31/10/2022 - 10:29

      Can't suggest one, just go scrolling thru your local bunnings and see how you go

• 

  Ocker on 30/10/2022 - 18:36

  What is the brand?

  • 

    AsukaST on 30/10/2022 - 21:30

    It's Dolle SW36-5

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUbz4TFZoYA
    https://www.dolle-uk.co.uk/shop/loft-ladder-sw-36-5

    • 

      bdl on 30/10/2022 - 23:05

      https://www.dolle-uk.co.uk/shop/spare-parts-accessories

      https://www.dolle-uk.co.uk/shop/lock-kit-2000932-for-sw-mode…

      • 

        AsukaST on 31/10/2022 - 00:04

        Thanks. But I don't think I will get the same catch again.

• 

  mapax on 30/10/2022 - 18:47

  Have you already had a go at the catch? Those screws look, well, screwed.

  • 

    MS Paint on 30/10/2022 - 21:08

    +1

    I'm guessing someone attached some cheap Phillips head drives on a drill, didn't use any torque settings, drilled the shit bouncing the top of those screws and yelled while shaking their fist in the air

    That will show them who's boss

  • 

    AsukaST on 31/10/2022 - 00:06

    Thanks. It's the catch.
    I would like to add another catch as I cannot remove those screws…
    Can you suggest me one?

• 

  timthetoolman on 30/10/2022 - 19:38

  +1

  Get someone to sit up there with a torch and see what happens when it's tried to be locked from below. That should tell you what the problem is /how to fix it

  • 

    AsukaST on 31/10/2022 - 00:05

    +1

    Thanks. Done that after reading your comment and figure out the catch is not working as intended.

• 

  GordonD on 30/10/2022 - 20:52

  Push to close push to open catches are notorious for wearing out.

  You can do two things. Either see what brand the ladder is, and try to track down the manufacturer and replace the existing catch. Or remove the existing catch and replace it with one of the readily available bolt type automatic spring latch.

  Given that a complete bolt type latch is available for not much more than $10, plus half a dozen screws, the second option is far cheaper.

  The hardest part of the job would appear to be to remove the old catch after, it appears, someone has damaged the screws attaching it.

  • 

    AsukaST on 30/10/2022 - 21:29

    Thanks. Can you suggest me a bolt latch that I need?

• 

  Euphemistic on 31/10/2022 - 07:11

  Could the existing catch be repositioned better? That is, has the house shifted slightly and the catch is out of alignment now and won’t work Or is it broken and not doing its job?

  Don’t forget whatever catch you install Weill need to be able to be operated from ground level. No point letting in an auto locking catch if it requires you to get a ladder to undo it by hand.