Loft Ladder Problem

[foodluva]

Hi,

When I bought my house a couple of years ago, the previous owners had installed a fairly new set of wooden loft ladders. However, we are finding that in the winter, it is almost impossible to pull them down. We suspect that the wood is swelling due to the dampness of winter and as a result they are extremely difficult to slide up and down. The problem is non existent in summer.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to resolve this issue? I am sure a set of aluminium ladders would solve the problem but I'd rather not have the expense of buying new ladders if I can help it!

Thanks in advance!

[Hymie]

I would recommend beeswax, both as a lubricant for the sliding surfaces and to seal the wood.

Given that beeswax will assist in sealing the wood – my advice would be to struggle through this winter, as best you can. Then during the dry summer months, apply the beeswax – otherwise you are likely to seal in the current dampness, and always have this problem.

[dustypuss]

Mean while whilst your waiting for summer Give the runners ( NOT THE STEPS ) a polish with pledge .

[foodluva]

Thanks for your replies. Will do the beeswax thing next year. Unfortunately the runners are not the problem. The two ladders are supposed to slide up and down against each other but the wood is so swollen, there is no gap and therefore no movement!

[Fitzer]

Lakeland sell a product (can't remember its name I'm afraid) that is advertised as a lubricant for sticking drawers etc. I have used this very successfully on drawers in an old cabinet in the shed that swell up in winter. You should be able to get it to seep into the interface between the sliding sections to allow you to get them to move. Then in summer I'd follow Hymie's advice with maybe just giving the surfaces a light sanding first to just give everything a little more play.

[foodluva]

Thanks Fitzer! I will look for this product!

[Wak]

If you can get the ladders apart at the moment then you could always try to rub the contact points with an ordinary wax candle to lubricate them which may help to see you through this winter.

[buildersmate]

They are swelling in the damp. so unfortunately this is always going to be an issue. The solutions suggested by others might help.

[foodluva]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Much appreciated!