Painting the upper reaches of a stairwell can be a difficult chore. It’s usually fairly high and there’s no good place to set the ladder. Try this:

• Set an extension ladder on one of the lower steps and lean the top against the wall opposite the top of the stairs.
• Place a small stepladder (six-foot size) on the landing at the top of the stairs.
• Run a 2×12 between the rungs of the two ladders so that its level and you’ve created a stairwell scaffolding.

Be sure that the 2×12 is secured to at least one of the ladders with a “C” clamp or similar device. If the span you’ve created is more than eight feet or so you may want to nail a vertical support under the 2×12 at mid-span.

Watch this video to find out more.

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One Comment on “Stairwell Painting Tip”

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1. charles hadaway Says:
   May 15th, 2007 at 10:38 pm

   i have stairs outside my house. how do i paint the wall of the house above the stairs. there is no way to put the extension ladder against the step like you did in the video.?

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