@Ergates I know precisely how I got it open. It looks as though the catch is bent/broken, so won't return to it's previous locking position properly. The damage is probably longstanding, and I'm the unfortunate one who is tall enough to get clouted by it swinging back down. My wife at 5ft 2in, is fine. Potential repairer said I could screw it shut, but that would damage the hatch. So we'll wait for them to come. Meanwhile, I have a sore head.
It sounds similar to ours - push up on the hatch where the catch is to fasten/unfasten (I use the
handle end of the stick because the metal hook end leaves a mark on the
paint) then use the hook end to pull down the ladder. Could you maybe fasten it up in an almost-shut position with some string, at least to stop it from hanging down low enough for you to bash your head on it? We sometimes leave ours open at night when it's hot in summer (remember that?) to let some hot air rise up and escape through the roof. I'm short enough to walk right under it but OH has to look out if he gets up in the night.
That string solution sounds a good idea, @JennyJ. Also using the other end of the stick, I’ll have to try that. Probably too late now, but our hatch has scratch marks and scraped paint next to the loop for hooking into.
@Ergates I gave up trying to get the hook in the little plastic loop for opening and closing - too fiddly, even when we first installed it in about 1988 when I was much younger and had better eyesight, which is how I got marks on the paint! Now I just give it a push with the handle end (and have long since redone the paintwork). The metal loop on the bottom of the ladder is much bigger and easier to get the hook into.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Our previous one you used to push to click. This one, it seems, one twists the loop to unhitch the catch - turning it 90°, then letting it down gently.
I suspect it's been damaged in the past by uneducated users. Here's a photo of the "catch" piece. The installers couldn't say whether the piece was damaged, but I would have expected a longer piece to fit in the slot!
Our previous one you used to push to click. This one, it seems, one twists the loop to unhitch the catch - turning it 90°, then letting it down gently.
I suspect it's been damaged in the past by uneducated users. Here's a photo of the "catch" piece. The installers couldn't say whether the piece was damaged, but I would have expected a longer piece to fit in the slot!
I've not seen one like that before! I think I'd be looking at replacing it with one that's easier/needs less coordination to open and close (says Mrs. Clumsy!)
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I'm almost tempted to install a couple of bolts myself, as we won't need to use the loft very often. Certainly not going to keep as much stuff up there as we did in our previous place. Mind you, there's not as much space anyway.
It's hard to see but it looks as if something has sheared off the end. It will be interesting to see what the new one looks like after the installer has fixed it.
Posts
I know precisely how I got it open. It looks as though the catch is bent/broken, so won't return to it's previous locking position properly.
The damage is probably longstanding, and I'm the unfortunate one who is tall enough to get clouted by it swinging back down. My wife at 5ft 2in, is fine.
Potential repairer said I could screw it shut, but that would damage the hatch. So we'll wait for them to come.
Meanwhile, I have a sore head.
Also using the other end of the stick, I’ll have to try that. Probably too late now, but our hatch has scratch marks and scraped paint next to the loop for hooking into.
I suspect it's been damaged in the past by uneducated users. Here's a photo of the "catch" piece.
The installers couldn't say whether the piece was damaged, but I would have expected a longer piece to fit in the slot!
How can anybody be worth that much and that's only what he's losing
I've no idea how I could spend that much on myself