Painting Stairs Walls
I painted our living room last summer and I ran into trouble when I had to paint the walls above the stairs. Our living room wall is 16′ high so painting the wall along the stairs is a pain in this daddy’s behind. Anyways, I did manage to paint the walls above our stairs and I thought I would share some options with you do-it-yourself dads and moms out there.
Painting Stairs Walls Options
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If you’ve got the money, save yourself the trouble and hire a professional painter to paint the high stairwell for you.
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Rent a scaffold from a place like Home Depot.
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Purchase a ladder leveler for $90.
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You can place one end of a plank on a step ladder and the other end on the stairs.
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Place the extended legs of a folding table on the lower part of the stairs and the folded legs on a higher part of the stairs (see photo below).
I didn’t choose the first three options because those options cost money and that’s goes against the Frugal Dad’s creed. I thought about using a step ladder and a plank, but I would need a long plank for my stairs. That would make the plank too springy. Plus I wasn’t sure if the plank could hold up the weight of the ladder with me on it.
I went with the folding table option because a table is sturdy and wide. Plus I have a folding table so it didn’t cost me anything extra. However, I did have to build a platform from scrap lumber to level out the table for the extension ladder (see photo below).
Warning
- Use a sturdy table that is supported by a metal frame (underneath the table).
- Check the underside of the table for loose screws. Three screws popped out while I was standing on the table. I was lucky the table didn’t collapse.
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Look at you go! I think that looks dangerously like a LOT of work…:)
Hugs,
Holly
.-= Holly Schwendiman´s last blog ..Sowing Seeds =-.
It was a lot of work to go up and down that ladder to cut in from the ceiling.
WOWWWW. I’m thinking with the ER bill it’s cheaper for me to hire someone. :P
.-= Mrs. C´s last blog ..Elf Responds to "I Am Autism." =-.
It’s a good thing I didn’t mention my step ladder on top of a folding table, which was on top of another folding table on the stairs. I used that method to repair a 8′ vertical crack at the edge of the wall. That method was an accident waiting to happen.
Being in the building trades and having very high ceilings I’ve gotta say I love the innovative scaffolding LOL Great job!!! ( But didn’t you mean to say don’t try this at home ;) Happy WW
At the very least, people should have someone around just in case of trouble.
I am so glad that you survived. While I have done just as crazy of stuff myself (in the name of saving money), I am seeing how this could have gone wrong in so many ways (LOL). Glad you survived! -Jason
.-= The Devoted Dad´s last blog ..Happy Fall Part II =-.
The scary part was climbing up and down the ladder.
we have stairs — getting the stairwell down to the basement painted was a TRIP – literally!!!! not fun. cool ladder gadget.
.-= jenx67´s last blog ..gen x halloween [1970s and politically incorrect] =-.
Wait until I show you my self-painting wall invention.
Now that looks dangerous! I have very high ceilings in my house, too. And repainting in is my very near future. I’ll keep your “tricks” in mind!
.-= peepnroosmom´s last blog ..Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. =-.
It may look dangerous, but the table was very sturdy.
Wow, that ladder looks pretty sketchy balancing on that table!
There are many options to paint the wall and some warning to consider. Thanks for the information.
This is not an appropriate use for a folding table. This is VERY dangerous practice. While it looks very creative, this is going to lead a lot of people to try this. If you have a 200 lb. person on the ladder, each leg of the ladder is going to bear about 100 lbs. The point load on the table top, while initially standing the strain, will eventually give way.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE THIS METHOD FOR LEVELLING YOUR LADDER. If you can’t do it safely, don’t do it. It is not worth risking your life to save a buck!
Are you saying a folding table with a metal frame is weaker than a scaffold with a plywood platform?
A scaffold by design can hold the entire weight strain. A folding table, while overall has a high strength factor, has weak points ( your mentioning the 3 screws falling out is a major point of this ). Those metal framed folding tables don’t use bolts or screws that go THROUGH the top and anchored with a stress-spreading washer or large head. By relying solely on the wood-cutting threads to hold the metal frame to the wood top, the strength then is only what weight stress each screw THREAD can hold. And that ain’t much! If you’re spreading the weight over the entire table surface, that’s one thing. A ladder is putting the stress on two points, not far apart. That’s totally different. If you replace your wood-cutting screws with through-bolts and washers ( that will detract from the tables use and smoothness for picnicking ), it would be safer, and more like a scaffold. But by relying on those often tiny wood screws, you’re setting up for a potential disaster. I like your idea, and hadn’t thought of that. But I weigh 240 lbs, not a light-weight, and add to that a ladder and paint or tools, and I would probably fold that table up as is! But with some enhancements, such as additional cross-bracing and through-bolts, I may try that to one of the many tables I own, and improve it’s use for something like that. The broad top surface is definitely safer than a skinny 12″ wide 2-by to stand on, or put a ladder on.
I use the table for my miter saw so I’m going to replace the screws with bolts. Thanks for the suggestion!
STUPIDD! Your risking your life or paralysis over those little 3/4 inch screws that screw into the bottom of the tables?? Ive seem those collapse from someones standing on them while camping! They sell adjustable feet for ext. ladders for $40ish a pair.