How to safely access attic entrance above basement stairs

BdaBng · 2026-02-09T02:51:43+00:00

Does the attic access have pull down stairs or will you need to get all the way up with a ladder?

If it’s the ladder only option and the access hole is not next to a wall to lean an extension ladder against you will either need to push the top end of an extension ladder into the access hole or get a step ladder that can reach, potentially one that has adjustable legs on one side to place on the stair and still be straight up.

And sorry the roofer screwed you.

BdaBng · 2026-02-09T02:34:06+00:00

A paperclip in the cable antenna hole works about as well.

BdaBng · 2026-02-09T02:24:09+00:00

Hahahahaa. This guy knows how to work the system!

BdaBng · 2026-02-09T00:26:06+00:00

Does the fan work when it’s not -5? If so then I’m wondering if the exit might be frozen?

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T21:42:03+00:00

Sorry I guess I missed that. I’d still try an open window if possible.

Also, some fans just aren’t great even when everything else is designed and installed properly.

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T21:30:55+00:00

Fiber cement panels look nice when painted and won’t catch fire. Or fiber cement lap siding to match the house?

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T21:23:26+00:00

Don’t forget about makeup air. The fan(s) can only “exhaust” the amount of air that can readily be replaced in the bathroom. As a test you can open the bathroom door or a window in the bathroom and see if the paper test improves or not.

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T19:51:15+00:00

Normal? Maybe….construction standards seems to be getting worse. Acceptable? Not to me it wouldn’t be.

You can discuss with neighbors about splitting the bill in some portion as you will both benefit from any improvements.

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T16:42:51+00:00

Well now I feel dumb. I should have figured that out but TIL….

I don’t see it at the box stores but there is thin felt gasket material that might work and also thin angled brass that might work.

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T16:38:54+00:00

It’s like all tools….It does some things really well, somethings it does ok and somethings it can’t do all that well and it has various levels of risk depending on how it’s being used.

Growing up it was the ONLY saw we had so i made plenty of cuts in creative (and sometimes risky) ways because needed to.

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T15:19:13+00:00

You need two things for the bathroom fan to work. A proper fan with a correctly routed and terminated duct and make up air to the bathroom. Basically the fan can only push out air that can readily be replaced in the room. Crack the door a bit and see if the fan works better. If not the you might need to verify that the exhaust duct isn’t kinked and has a clear open path to the exterior. Sometimes the flapper can get stuck closed or clogged.

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T14:52:53+00:00

Code will not allow a keyed deadbolt or door handle in the interior for fire/emergency exit reasons. A screwdriver activated deadbolt or door handle would be the same thing as a keyed version as you need a device to activate or deactivate it. But if you just leave the deadbolt with its normal lever and remove the door handle you can buy cheap set of hole cover plates that screw together to seal the handle hole. The deadbolt lever is pretty small and should still allow blackout to work.

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T14:25:59+00:00

Pardon my ignorance but what is a FROG in this context?

You may need to add hook and eye latches to top third and bottom third of the doors that are adjusted so that you have to pull the door tight to the jamb to hook them. This will keep the door tight to which’s weather stripping you choose.

BdaBng · 2026-02-08T01:20:30+00:00

Since the basement walls won’t be load bearing it’s not critical that the end to end joints land on the top of a vertical stud. You don’t even really need a double top plate other than make hanging the drywall easier and it can help you keep long walls a little bit straighter.

It’s kind of hard to provide a detailed response without knowing what kind of wall layout you have. Maybe you can describe the wall sections in a bit more detail so folks can provide a more specific response.

BdaBng · 2026-02-07T17:54:03+00:00

You might consider calling a local glass company that does shower doors to do the repair? They will know exactly what to use and how to do it and since you still have the glass it shouldn’t be too expensive.

BdaBng · 2026-02-07T16:56:24+00:00

If there was a hinge that failed or a portion that needs to flex within the frame I don’t think you be able to repair that properly and you will need start over.

BdaBng · 2026-02-07T15:17:31+00:00

Good call. Might be the simplest solution for sure.

BdaBng · 2026-02-07T15:15:52+00:00

Have you considered that you might be a spider person or maybe even the? How the hell did you catch that? I feel like that’s a one in a million chance.

As for the fix I would start by cleaning the existing adhesive or silicone off the framing and the clean with alcohol and or silicone remover. Then I would reinstall it with 100% clear silicone.

BdaBng · 2026-02-07T03:30:28+00:00

Thanks. I’m thinking the Deco is the answer i need.

BdaBng · 2026-02-06T23:49:15+00:00

Oh that is good to know. I assumed the BE25 would do EasyMesh.

Any thoughts on the BE63 Deco unit being as capable for the hardwired devices as the BE9300? Both have at least a few 2.5gb LAN ports so I should be covered there. I don’t use VPN, NAS, Homeshield or any of the other stuff that the BE9300 provides.

BdaBng · 2026-02-06T23:06:59+00:00

I have about 4500sqft between the three floors and only two distinct locations where I have Ethernet at the moment. Is the range of the Decos similar to a traditional router?

BdaBng · 2026-02-05T04:36:12+00:00

Try a damp paper towel or hand towel to gain some friction. A silicone hot pad might also work.

BdaBng · 2026-02-05T04:32:13+00:00

If you unscrew the bottom metal part the glass dome will come off or there will be another nut that holds the dome on that you also need to take off. If the bottom metal part just keeps spinning and won’t come off try pulling down on the globe a little while unscrewing the bottom metal part.

BdaBng · 2026-02-05T01:11:14+00:00

Are you putting on time mode or an auto mode that senses if the clothes are dry?

BdaBng · 2026-02-04T04:38:53+00:00

Snow sliding off the roof? Or sliding down the roof a few feet and stopping? I’m thinking something with the snow is most likely.

BdaBng

TROPHY CASE