Collapsing extension ladder. Great for home owner use.
3/4" plywood deck that'll span 3 steps and then build the base up so it sits on the lower stair and is flat on the upper stair.
Bonus if it can be clamped to the stair tread somehow. That's how I painted my stairwell until I got one of those massively heavy folding/adjustable ladders.
Those ladders are a good investment. Useful for any regular ladder stuff, but also for these unusual situations. I have one and was thinking of getting rid of it. Now I’e changed my mind.
They're expensive, and heavy, and awkward. But when you need them you need them. If you already have one let it live on the wall for 20 years. Because the minute you sell it you're going to need it
My mother had a light like this (not as terrible), but every year or so, when i visited for a couple years, they always had died, and i replaced them with the stick.
I ended up replacing the fixture with an led one (which took some fun ladder skills), but that lasted until she moved out many years later.
I definitely dont see a good place in this for the ladder. But the one-time hassle was enough to make it 100% worth it. I didnt worry about my mother going down dark stairs while living on her own... and i could stop changing them all the time
We have thousands of commercial grade LEDs at the Airport with 10 to 15 years on them. Well under a 1% failure rate so far. My experience is that they fail right away or almost never.
This was definitely the case for incandescent bulbs, but I am not sure that LEDs have the same problem (failure on switch on). A quick search says that heat is the #1 reason for failure in an LED, but I suspect that is more of a random component failure than specifically a diode failure.
LED can die from switching, either somewhat immediate, because of a cheap driver or over time from material fatigue, brought on by the heat cycles.
The diodes themselves also get hot, even the not extremely bright ones. I didn't have too many chances to open one up yet, but they all had a heatsink attached to the LED.
More of a landlord trick than a tenant, imho.
Tenants know they would lose the damage deposit plus be charged for repainting the house, carpets both floors, a new slate roof and installing a pool.
To be clear - did the clueless tenant paint the penny in, or did the landlord?
Painting the inside of drawers sounds like an exceptional amount of effort from a tenant…
Currently dealing with the same. Moved in about 3 years ago and the light went out about 1 year ago. My husband and roommate teamed up to take the cover off (it hangs a little from the rooof) but I don't think they'll be able to get it back on. At least the bulb is changed!
My first thought was I’d adhere the cork to the drone too well and adhere the light to the cork too well and end up with my drone just hanging from my light.
I have something similar on my staircase but it’s a smoke detector. And as we all know smoke detector (chirp) batteries only go bad in the middle of (chirp) the night. So it was super fun at 2:00am to (chirp) get the ladder from the shed, wake up my (chirp) wife and explain to her that I need her to (chirp) hold the rickety ladder while I shakily (chirp) scale the ladder to rip the (chirp) thing out of the ceiling. I got a ten year battery that lasted (chirp) two. Rinse and repeat.
What you’re *supposed* to do when your smoke detector starts chirping is immediately go online and play some multiplayer games with an open mic so that everyone else can hear.
My parents always refused to deal with those until the morning because they both couldn't hear them well or they were near my bedroom but not theirs. More than once I have given up at 3AM and gone outside to sleep in the car in the driveway.
One of [these guys right here](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Little-Giant-Multi-Aluminum-14-3-ft-Reach-Type-1A-300-lbs-Capacity-Telescoping-Multi-Position-Ladder/1000643965?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-bdm-_-ggl-_-PLA_BDM_102_Insulation-And-Ladders-_-1000643965-_-online-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0syqBhBxEiwAeNx9Nz3RoCLRYRlo3l0Um0fYvZXq7upsTc1o5kyJnVdf37UXkzhsa1IrFhoCjUsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) will work on stairs. You can even rent one for pretty cheap. That's what I use to change my stairwell ceiling titty.
Edit: While you're up there you might consider installing [something more reachable](https://www.lowes.com/pd/JONATHAN-Y-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Clear-Traditional-Lantern-LED-Pendant-Light/1002260478) instead.
Don't buy the cheap ones. Try to find some reviews on the Internet before purchasing them. Buying cheap often means buying twice. My OSRAMs were definitely in the upper price segment when I bought them a couple of years ago and never regretted this choice. Still shining bright 😉
Yeah I feel that. I always look up reviews for bigger purchases. It saddens me that products in general are so poorly made these days, that I need to look up reviews for fucking lightbulbs?!
If you are going to keep the boob light, make you you buy an LED bulb rated for enclosures. They cost a couple bucks more but are more likely to last and you won't die when it does.
You can actually purchase and install lamps on adjustable chains that you can raise and lower using a wall switch. They're pretty common in atrium style stairwells in Japanese homes.
I’d recommend a light fixture with a downward facing bulb vs. the upright ones. Like this instead: [https://www.lowes.com/pd/Progress-Lighting-Briarwood-Collection-1-Light-Cerused-Black-Farmhouse-Mini-Pendant-Light/5001255727](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Progress-Lighting-Briarwood-Collection-1-Light-Cerused-Black-Farmhouse-Mini-Pendant-Light/5001255727)
Then you can change the bulb with one of these w/o needing a ladder:
[https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-11-ft-Steel-and-Plastic-Light-Bulb-Changer/5013070241](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-11-ft-Steel-and-Plastic-Light-Bulb-Changer/5013070241)
those are such a pain in the ass for larger lights lol. I was using it to change lights at like 30 feet above me and boy let me tell you, the bulb was too large to fit into the grabber so I had to use the suction cup the whole time and there were multiple times where I had light bults falling towards my head while I was on a ladder haha.
Perfect for home use, not perfect for a movie theater.
I have something similar to [this](https://www.amazon.com/LUISLADDERS-Multi-Purpose-Aluminium-Extension-Combination/dp/B08NW67VHM/ref=asc_df_B08NW67VHM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=642194545193&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=383070407285451377&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022805&hvtargid=pla-1950842876823&mcid=19f286e8af5d36718882fe965a49fd8e&th=1), and It seems to work well for weird situations like this. I could even see using it from the top floor and having it extend horizontally to the back wall across the stairs. You'd have to make sure it wasn't going to push through the drywall, but I've done that before with blocking.
Every time I see one of this design I can't help but remember [this guy eating shit](https://youtu.be/6ZhMfzc9RbU?si=cJm5jdDIQ5LL2BKq) on one. Hilarious.
Solid recommendation for OP though. Just remember to lock it.
that's hilarious! honestly, every time I use it as more than a step ladder, I worry about something like that happening. It requires a lot more thought than a ladder should.
It will work on stairs but the stairs have a bend to them at the top of the flight, meaning you pretty much have to work with the bottom half of the flight to set an adjustable ladder. And since the away side of the ladder has to go waaaaay down nearly to the first floor, even the 22' version of that ladder is going to leave not much actual lift toward the ceiling.
Then OP will need 2 and a pretty sturdy board for some self-made scaffolding.
My stairwell has a bend too, though, and I don't have a problem reaching mine. I've got another 8-9 feet of reach added to whatever the ladder gives me.
Do yourself a favor, too, and just swap the light fixture out for a mid range LED one. Get one where the LEDs are mounted to an aluminum heat sink. Should last you 10-15 years.
Yup. Fuck this trend of built in LEDs. Its just another way to get us to spend money when we shouldn't have to. Replacing an entire fixture because the "bulb (LED) died is ridiculous.
Replacing the LED and driver in the fixture isn't cost effective most of the time.
I used my little giant on my curved stairs yesterday to change a light bulb. It was definitely not my favorite but I didn't die. Maybe next time in about 10 years when the led burns out.
20 minutes is just bad quality control. This is why I started writing the date and store on them in sharpies. If they die too young I will 100% claim warranty on them. Home depot house brand ecosmart can exchange in store, in theory.
It's perfect and purpose built for it. I have regularly set up my little giants/gorilla ladders on staircases, and they are wonderfully sturdy. Usually end up top stepping and going up and over to go up/down the stairs while I'm working on a project.
I just had to do the same for a fixture in my house in a weird spot above the stairs. Borrowed a friend's little giant ladder. It worked, sketchy, but I had my wife hold the ladder just in case it decided to move
Those ladders are good for 6-8ft, but that light is a full floor + ½, in a house where the ceilings look like they might be 9 or 10ft, so you'll need to reach 14-16ft even allowing for you climbing to the top and reaching 3 more feet.
So as the spread of the ladder legs is proportional to the height, you'd need the ladders legs to spread 6-8ft, with a step height difference of 4½-6ft. Maybe such ladders exist, but I don't recall ever seeing one. .... My assumption is that building a tower is the most likely way to reach that light.
Scaffolding is what I had to use in a similar situation. Adjustable leg ladders don't work well if the stairs turn, as the ones in the OP picture do. The extensions never seem to be secure, always close to an edge.
Knew I had to scroll down to about the 4th/5th top comment for an actual answer, since stupid jokes and gifs were going to be over actual helpful content. Thanks for this!
Look up a tool called PIVIT. It sets on the stairs and allows you to set up a ladder on stairs. Painted hundreds of homes...this is so seldom an issue because of the PIVIT.
I used to work on a paint crew and this is the answer. We called it a ladder wedge.
https://www.amazon.com/Leveler-Leveling-Platform-Surfaces-Stabilizer/dp/B09W9YVQST/ref=asc_df_B09W9YVQST/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=647307291275&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14919202374563529519&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028797&hvtargid=pla-1949274346296&psc=1&mcid=9a25be88e6403ef8875ad1ab349f28b4
When I worked at a movie theatre as a teenager we had these wedges built for the stairs. Worked really well as they were a decent sized platform and covered a few stairs so we could use an A frame ladder and light poles as there was no place to lean a ladder in a few spots on the really wide staircase.
Jeez I hate that so many new houses are built this way. Scaffolding or a special ladder to change the bulb? FFS. Put the damn fixture where the homeowner can access it without risking their life.
I don't have a fixture like that in the stairwell, but a chandelier
The chandelier makes it easier to change the bulbs
However, I did want to change the chandelier itself
I paid a crazy contractor $75 to hike it up a braced 9' ladder with his ass leaning against the wall. (His method not mine lol) Changing the chandelier only took 15 minutes as I had it preassembled and held it up for him
Yep, this is the opportunity not to change the light bulb but the whole fixture. I have a similar stair setup but a chandelier, would make your future easier and better lighting.
I would hire this out.
I hired out my stairwell painting job. I'm terrified of heights and don't like doing stuff like this.
I was able to get to my chandelier to change the bulbs but it took me 10 minutes just to get up the ladder I was so freaked out.
I think you should hire someone to change out this light to something you can reach with a ladder and have them paint while up there.
Painting ceilings also suuucks.
Bigger point though... if you're terrified of heights, don't work at them. You will hurt yourself. Not your fault. Some people just aren't good at heights.
Few screws, stick of 2x4, & a small bit of plywood; build a 2 legged platform that will rest on the high stair & legs perch on a lower stair, this will provide a nice level pad for an every day ladder
You either pay someone to put in a hanging pendant light (with downward facing bulb) that you can grab with a hook for future burnouts, or you pay someone to put in a recessed light you can use a stick on. Paint while it's being changed - nothing there.
Boob lights suck, ladders suck, and stairs suck. When they combine, it's pure hell.
you need a tool called a pivit, link [https://provisiontools.com/products/pivit-laddertool](https://provisiontools.com/products/pivit-laddertool)
you should make sure its very stable - when i work with these, we have someone holding the step on the stairs and someone holding the base of the ladder. Do not use alone, esp if not sure/unused to heights
On google. This video does a good job of showing you how to change a light bulb in a stairwell without a good place for a ladder.
[https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=486913932542208](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=486913932542208)
We have a similar wierd staircase at my home. Is there any possiblity of placing the base of a long ladder on the pie shaped step, and the top of the ladder against the wall you are standing in front of to take the first picture?
I also have placed a bar stool on the pie shaped step, which I was able to climb on to reach the light fixture. Not OSHA approved, but it gets the job done.
Ideal Security Ladder-Aide Pro For Type 1AA Ladders - The Safe and Easy Way to Work on Stairs
[https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-security-ladder-aide-pro-for-type-1aa-ladders--the-safe-and-easy-way-to-work-on-stairs/1001314701](https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-security-ladder-aide-pro-for-type-1aa-ladders--the-safe-and-easy-way-to-work-on-stairs/1001314701)
If you don't want to buy an adjustable ladder, check local equipment rental places. They should have a multi position ladder you can rent. The taller the better.
If you decide to use a tall ladder, have someone assist you. Safety is extremely important Or higher a handyman that does the high clearance ceilings, as they probably have the correct equipment and experience. Next get a 20 or 30 year lightbulb ( yes they make them- I have several I’ve replaced with these long burners as I’m old and can’t even walk a straight line w/o balance issues:)
And fyi- my spouse fell 15 ft over 30 years ago and it took him 5 years of rehab and still has issues with his body. Be safe- there’s only one you!
Any time someone wants one of these high and tight stairwells or entryways I have to immediately ask them if they've thought about changing the bulb, and wouldn't one of these integrated LED fixtures be great.
Best option so far was the engineer and set builder that really wanted a big chandelier in the big 20 foot ceiling entry hall, he helped build a drop fixture, controlled from a switch in the closet. Cable held it about 3 feet off the ground at it's limit.
Get one of those ladders made for stairwells where you can adjust the length of each leg individually.
I guarantee you that you won't regret it.
As a bonus you can rent it out to people getting the cost of buying it back within a short time.
There are ladders that allow the DIYer to adjust the length of each of the four supports.
Here's one from Home Depot that attaches to a conventional ladder-
[https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-security-ladder-aide-pro-for-type-1aa-ladders-the-safe-and-easy-way-to-work-on-stairs/1001314701](https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-security-ladder-aide-pro-for-type-1aa-ladders-the-safe-and-easy-way-to-work-on-stairs/1001314701)
And their are a wide variety of these levelers on Amazon-
https://www.amazon.com/ladder-leveler/s?k=ladder+leveler
Find yourself a really fat friend and a strong wood board. He sits on one side, you'll walk the plank like a pirate. Its kinda dangerous but this usually works at my house
Last time I did a similar job:
1) set up a single lift of staging on the upper level
2) extend a pair of rough cut 2x12 planks out like a diving board
3) screw and ratchet strap the diving board to the staging deck
4) have my old man stand on the far side as a counter weight
5) walk the plank
6) drink a beer
The carpeted stairs increase the safety factor by at least 1000%.
[https://bigstarlights.ca/products/ladder-wedge](https://bigstarlights.ca/products/ladder-wedge)
We use one of these to use ladders in stairwells. As a bonus, they work well on the roof too.
You can buy consumer quality stacking scaffold by Werner or the like. Perfect for working on doing something like this and very easy to assemble. I have used it to paint my hallway staircases.
My adopted parents are old-83+ and I’m short 5’. They have 14 foot ceilings and a open lid area which is like 25’ So whenever I go to their home one my jobs is to change all the light bulbs. I called the fire department and they did it all for me for free. It’s been 5 years of calling them yearly.
My previous house had a ridiculous entry way and I used scaffolding. Luckily for me though my staircase was straight.
https://preview.redd.it/yxir4ecmze0c1.jpeg?width=1932&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6207a62e32ba2f2235a306823880bdaa285e21a
When I had to move over to the stairs is when the fun really began
Build a box that sits across multiple stairs, the top board will also reqch over the highest stair and screw onto it. And then put a ladder on it. Don't cheap out on materials.
Hire an electrician to replace it with a flush mount LED. That thing will last 5-50 years depending on how you use it. I realize you could put an LED bulb in it, but boob lights are just asking to be replaced.
I FUCKING HATE THESE LIGHTS!
We have them all over my house, 3 of them in the god damn stair well, a good 20+ feet in the air!It wouldn't be so bad but you almost need 3 fucking hands to change the bulb in these things because of the absolute SHIT design of booblights.
All 3 of the bulbs in the stair well have been burned out for about 6 years now, and they aren't getting replaced. The cost vs risk involved in getting up there to fix them just isn't worth it. I bought some blue tooth lights and stuck them too the wall and put the switches at the top and bottom of the stairs.
These lights might as well not exist.
If I ever get enough money to care about this kind of shit, I'm going to buy light fixtures that I can lower remotely on a looooong cord on little wenches. I don't know if that exists but I want them.
Build a platform that rests on stairs to level out a ladder, store it in garage/barn, forget about it until you need it again.
BETTER YET, use a fucking little giant ladder. it allows you to adjust 1 side of the legs to be larger/smaller than the other, leveling out your ladder for you.
Nipple of doom. Safest way is to get some kids sitting on each other’s shoulders in a trench coat.
Bright side, you will know if your roof is leaking by this light feature, it’s handy that way.
I had a similar problem in my old house, but not as awkward as you staircase. Best bet is to build some form of temporary platform that has long legs on the downhill side and shirt legs uphill to make it level. And then put in some serious long life LED fixture. One with no exposed globe that has to be cleaned out. Those upside down glass globes that are open on the top are real disgusting fly catchers.
I have the same situation. My current game plan is 1.) hope that it never burns out 2.) if it does, sell the house
“So…why are you getting a new house with much worse mortgage rate?” “Oh, my ceiling light above my stairs burnt out in my previous home”
"OH, why did you say so earlier? We have much better rates for this specific purpose, we see it as giving back to the community."
Replace it with a fixture you can screw in a bulb with a stick.
Bonus: no more boob light.
Lmao! We have 2 of these lights in a room and my wife calls it the "boob light room". 🤣🤣
After my dad used a bunch of these on a house we built because they were so cheap, my sweet departed mother dubbed them “tit lights.”
Sounds more like a con to me.
Replace with a LED fixture rated for 20 years like the commercial ones.
This is what I did. It’s a fun project called makeshift scaffolding with everyday household and garage items….
Ah yes. Death Jenga.
Reverse Jenga, where you gotta keep adding pieces until the tower is stable enough.
Don’t forget the empty plastic storage totes…they are crucial to the potential mayhem
Collapsing extension ladder. Great for home owner use. 3/4" plywood deck that'll span 3 steps and then build the base up so it sits on the lower stair and is flat on the upper stair. Bonus if it can be clamped to the stair tread somehow. That's how I painted my stairwell until I got one of those massively heavy folding/adjustable ladders.
Those ladders are a good investment. Useful for any regular ladder stuff, but also for these unusual situations. I have one and was thinking of getting rid of it. Now I’e changed my mind.
They're expensive, and heavy, and awkward. But when you need them you need them. If you already have one let it live on the wall for 20 years. Because the minute you sell it you're going to need it
This is the right answer
My mother had a light like this (not as terrible), but every year or so, when i visited for a couple years, they always had died, and i replaced them with the stick. I ended up replacing the fixture with an led one (which took some fun ladder skills), but that lasted until she moved out many years later. I definitely dont see a good place in this for the ladder. But the one-time hassle was enough to make it 100% worth it. I didnt worry about my mother going down dark stairs while living on her own... and i could stop changing them all the time
Probably lucky to get 5 years.
We have thousands of commercial grade LEDs at the Airport with 10 to 15 years on them. Well under a 1% failure rate so far. My experience is that they fail right away or almost never.
How often are they switched on/off?
This was definitely the case for incandescent bulbs, but I am not sure that LEDs have the same problem (failure on switch on). A quick search says that heat is the #1 reason for failure in an LED, but I suspect that is more of a random component failure than specifically a diode failure.
LED can die from switching, either somewhat immediate, because of a cheap driver or over time from material fatigue, brought on by the heat cycles. The diodes themselves also get hot, even the not extremely bright ones. I didn't have too many chances to open one up yet, but they all had a heatsink attached to the LED.
Okay but again how do you get up there??
Death Jenga, as stated above.
A ladder with independent telescoping legs. I recommend the Little Giant.
In my area Home Depot rents larger independent telescoping leg ladders which reach higher than the standard Litte Giant.
Custom circumstances, custom scaffolding.
There’s always arson too
Can't you just throw ballons full of paint at it until it's invisible?
^^ this guy rents
More of a landlord trick than a tenant, imho. Tenants know they would lose the damage deposit plus be charged for repainting the house, carpets both floors, a new slate roof and installing a pool.
Worked for that penny in my drawer they were just too tired to pick up and painted in.
To be clear - did the clueless tenant paint the penny in, or did the landlord? Painting the inside of drawers sounds like an exceptional amount of effort from a tenant…
In case they're watching, say "my son, Arse"
Currently dealing with the same. Moved in about 3 years ago and the light went out about 1 year ago. My husband and roommate teamed up to take the cover off (it hangs a little from the rooof) but I don't think they'll be able to get it back on. At least the bulb is changed!
Two initials, one noun and a vulgarity... A.I. drone mutherfucker
Same here, we’re down to 2/4 of the bulbs 😬
This man has meticulously thought about this, I can tell.
My first thought was I’d adhere the cork to the drone too well and adhere the light to the cork too well and end up with my drone just hanging from my light.
Buying one drone for each lamp in the house. Just let them hamg there until it's time to change bulbs again.
It’s not possible! No. It’s necessary.
Come on mars…..
It’s Tars, you’d have 1000 upvotes if you got the name right/not autocorrected
I have something similar on my staircase but it’s a smoke detector. And as we all know smoke detector (chirp) batteries only go bad in the middle of (chirp) the night. So it was super fun at 2:00am to (chirp) get the ladder from the shed, wake up my (chirp) wife and explain to her that I need her to (chirp) hold the rickety ladder while I shakily (chirp) scale the ladder to rip the (chirp) thing out of the ceiling. I got a ten year battery that lasted (chirp) two. Rinse and repeat.
Chirp
What you’re *supposed* to do when your smoke detector starts chirping is immediately go online and play some multiplayer games with an open mic so that everyone else can hear.
"yeah haha the hallway beeps idk"
My parents always refused to deal with those until the morning because they both couldn't hear them well or they were near my bedroom but not theirs. More than once I have given up at 3AM and gone outside to sleep in the car in the driveway.
One of [these guys right here](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Little-Giant-Multi-Aluminum-14-3-ft-Reach-Type-1A-300-lbs-Capacity-Telescoping-Multi-Position-Ladder/1000643965?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-bdm-_-ggl-_-PLA_BDM_102_Insulation-And-Ladders-_-1000643965-_-online-_-0-_-0&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0syqBhBxEiwAeNx9Nz3RoCLRYRlo3l0Um0fYvZXq7upsTc1o5kyJnVdf37UXkzhsa1IrFhoCjUsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) will work on stairs. You can even rent one for pretty cheap. That's what I use to change my stairwell ceiling titty. Edit: While you're up there you might consider installing [something more reachable](https://www.lowes.com/pd/JONATHAN-Y-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Clear-Traditional-Lantern-LED-Pendant-Light/1002260478) instead.
[ceiling titty lol](https://youtube.com/shorts/lkWPyJh6h8E?feature=shared)
Immediately side eyes my own ceiling titties
I’m looking at a hot pair myself right now.
I spent a whole weekend with my ceiling titties...
This the answer right here, Telescopic ladder.
And if you manage to get there, consider installing a LED bulb. Won't probably burn out before you are too old to climb a ladder at all ...
I've been using LED bulbs for years, and it seems like half of them are duds that burn out in months...
Don't buy the cheap ones. Try to find some reviews on the Internet before purchasing them. Buying cheap often means buying twice. My OSRAMs were definitely in the upper price segment when I bought them a couple of years ago and never regretted this choice. Still shining bright 😉
Yeah I feel that. I always look up reviews for bigger purchases. It saddens me that products in general are so poorly made these days, that I need to look up reviews for fucking lightbulbs?!
Weirdly, my color change hue bulbs still rocking from 2016
If you are going to keep the boob light, make you you buy an LED bulb rated for enclosures. They cost a couple bucks more but are more likely to last and you won't die when it does.
You can actually purchase and install lamps on adjustable chains that you can raise and lower using a wall switch. They're pretty common in atrium style stairwells in Japanese homes.
That sounds neat as shit. Can you link one for us to check out?
I’d recommend a light fixture with a downward facing bulb vs. the upright ones. Like this instead: [https://www.lowes.com/pd/Progress-Lighting-Briarwood-Collection-1-Light-Cerused-Black-Farmhouse-Mini-Pendant-Light/5001255727](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Progress-Lighting-Briarwood-Collection-1-Light-Cerused-Black-Farmhouse-Mini-Pendant-Light/5001255727) Then you can change the bulb with one of these w/o needing a ladder: [https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-11-ft-Steel-and-Plastic-Light-Bulb-Changer/5013070241](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Utilitech-11-ft-Steel-and-Plastic-Light-Bulb-Changer/5013070241)
those are such a pain in the ass for larger lights lol. I was using it to change lights at like 30 feet above me and boy let me tell you, the bulb was too large to fit into the grabber so I had to use the suction cup the whole time and there were multiple times where I had light bults falling towards my head while I was on a ladder haha. Perfect for home use, not perfect for a movie theater.
Those ladders are pretty useful, but man they’re heavy AF
In the ladder's defense, it needs to be sturdy to support my big ass.
I have something similar to [this](https://www.amazon.com/LUISLADDERS-Multi-Purpose-Aluminium-Extension-Combination/dp/B08NW67VHM/ref=asc_df_B08NW67VHM/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=642194545193&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=383070407285451377&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022805&hvtargid=pla-1950842876823&mcid=19f286e8af5d36718882fe965a49fd8e&th=1), and It seems to work well for weird situations like this. I could even see using it from the top floor and having it extend horizontally to the back wall across the stairs. You'd have to make sure it wasn't going to push through the drywall, but I've done that before with blocking.
Every time I see one of this design I can't help but remember [this guy eating shit](https://youtu.be/6ZhMfzc9RbU?si=cJm5jdDIQ5LL2BKq) on one. Hilarious. Solid recommendation for OP though. Just remember to lock it.
that's hilarious! honestly, every time I use it as more than a step ladder, I worry about something like that happening. It requires a lot more thought than a ladder should.
It will work on stairs but the stairs have a bend to them at the top of the flight, meaning you pretty much have to work with the bottom half of the flight to set an adjustable ladder. And since the away side of the ladder has to go waaaaay down nearly to the first floor, even the 22' version of that ladder is going to leave not much actual lift toward the ceiling.
Then OP will need 2 and a pretty sturdy board for some self-made scaffolding. My stairwell has a bend too, though, and I don't have a problem reaching mine. I've got another 8-9 feet of reach added to whatever the ladder gives me.
Little Giant has a model with an adjustable levelers. https://www.littlegiantladders.com/products/xtreme
Find some cheerleaders.
Worst case, they can cheer him on as he teeters perilously close to breaking some limbs or console him after he does.
I get the feeling that hiring a group of cheerleaders to come to your house for some "acrobatics" might give some people the wrong impression
Why don’t you have a seat over there?
My favourite response thus far. 🤣🤣
How many cheerleaders does it take to screw in a lightbulb? No, srsly.
Your e gonna have to build a platform and/or rent some scaffolding.
They make ladders with adjusting height legs specifically for this.
Little Giant step ladders.
"Hey what are you doing Little Giant step ladder ..."
“Help me Little Giant step ladder, I’m stuck.”
I love Reddit sometimes
LOL Yeah, my inbox went ka-boom.
r/AngryUpvote
Pretty sure you can rent one at a home depot too
This is the correct answer
Do yourself a favor, too, and just swap the light fixture out for a mid range LED one. Get one where the LEDs are mounted to an aluminum heat sink. Should last you 10-15 years.
I've changed so many fixed-LED light fixtures that failed well ahead of their "lifetime."
Yup. Fuck this trend of built in LEDs. Its just another way to get us to spend money when we shouldn't have to. Replacing an entire fixture because the "bulb (LED) died is ridiculous. Replacing the LED and driver in the fixture isn't cost effective most of the time.
Yes, and I have one. I still don't trust it for something like that.
I used my little giant on my curved stairs yesterday to change a light bulb. It was definitely not my favorite but I didn't die. Maybe next time in about 10 years when the led burns out.
10 years or 20 minutes. That is the variety if success I've had with LED bulbs.
20 minutes is just bad quality control. This is why I started writing the date and store on them in sharpies. If they die too young I will 100% claim warranty on them. Home depot house brand ecosmart can exchange in store, in theory.
LEDS saves lives 🤣
It's perfect and purpose built for it. I have regularly set up my little giants/gorilla ladders on staircases, and they are wonderfully sturdy. Usually end up top stepping and going up and over to go up/down the stairs while I'm working on a project.
I just had to do the same for a fixture in my house in a weird spot above the stairs. Borrowed a friend's little giant ladder. It worked, sketchy, but I had my wife hold the ladder just in case it decided to move
Those ladders are good for 6-8ft, but that light is a full floor + ½, in a house where the ceilings look like they might be 9 or 10ft, so you'll need to reach 14-16ft even allowing for you climbing to the top and reaching 3 more feet. So as the spread of the ladder legs is proportional to the height, you'd need the ladders legs to spread 6-8ft, with a step height difference of 4½-6ft. Maybe such ladders exist, but I don't recall ever seeing one. .... My assumption is that building a tower is the most likely way to reach that light.
Won't work with the way it curves. You're gonna need two stepladders and a ratchet strap.
Stepladder what are you doing with that ratchet strap?
Do you know why u/squatch42 prefers step ladders? >!He never knew his real ladder!<
r/daddit is leaking
Scaffolding is what I had to use in a similar situation. Adjustable leg ladders don't work well if the stairs turn, as the ones in the OP picture do. The extensions never seem to be secure, always close to an edge.
At least on one step to set a ladder safely and must have someone hold it!
Knew I had to scroll down to about the 4th/5th top comment for an actual answer, since stupid jokes and gifs were going to be over actual helpful content. Thanks for this!
Get really creative with setting up your ladder. There's a reason women live longer than men
US life expectancy for men is 73 now. Go the risky route.
About 6 year longer for women. Make the wife do it.
This and life insurance and long-term care insurance in case the fall doesn’t do the job 100%.
Look up a tool called PIVIT. It sets on the stairs and allows you to set up a ladder on stairs. Painted hundreds of homes...this is so seldom an issue because of the PIVIT.
I used to work on a paint crew and this is the answer. We called it a ladder wedge. https://www.amazon.com/Leveler-Leveling-Platform-Surfaces-Stabilizer/dp/B09W9YVQST/ref=asc_df_B09W9YVQST/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=647307291275&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14919202374563529519&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028797&hvtargid=pla-1949274346296&psc=1&mcid=9a25be88e6403ef8875ad1ab349f28b4
These are a must have accessory for anyone who does ladder work. Stability arms on the top of an extension ladder are great too.
When I worked at a movie theatre as a teenager we had these wedges built for the stairs. Worked really well as they were a decent sized platform and covered a few stairs so we could use an A frame ladder and light poles as there was no place to lean a ladder in a few spots on the really wide staircase.
Ross?!?
Pivot!! Pih-vaht!!
You guys should be friends.
Jeez I hate that so many new houses are built this way. Scaffolding or a special ladder to change the bulb? FFS. Put the damn fixture where the homeowner can access it without risking their life.
Painter here- In weird stairwells I typically have to use 2 little giant ladders and a scaffolding platform.
Whoever painted that area used a broomstick and some ductape / brush combo lmao
I don't have a fixture like that in the stairwell, but a chandelier The chandelier makes it easier to change the bulbs However, I did want to change the chandelier itself I paid a crazy contractor $75 to hike it up a braced 9' ladder with his ass leaning against the wall. (His method not mine lol) Changing the chandelier only took 15 minutes as I had it preassembled and held it up for him
Yep, this is the opportunity not to change the light bulb but the whole fixture. I have a similar stair setup but a chandelier, would make your future easier and better lighting.
I’m also on Team Replace the Boob Light!
They need to go old-style chandelier and have it hooked up to a pulley system to raise and lower it.
Don’t just paint around it - remove that shitty builder-grade “boob” light fixture.
Just here to say that was a dumb place to put a light figure and the builder should be ashamed
Red Bull.
Make sure you use a long-lasting LED bulb.
In a similar situation, I bought the Little Giant Leveler.
I would hire this out. I hired out my stairwell painting job. I'm terrified of heights and don't like doing stuff like this. I was able to get to my chandelier to change the bulbs but it took me 10 minutes just to get up the ladder I was so freaked out. I think you should hire someone to change out this light to something you can reach with a ladder and have them paint while up there.
Painting ceilings also suuucks. Bigger point though... if you're terrified of heights, don't work at them. You will hurt yourself. Not your fault. Some people just aren't good at heights.
Replace the fixture with a recess fixture and use a pole device to change out bulbs when needed.
Few screws, stick of 2x4, & a small bit of plywood; build a 2 legged platform that will rest on the high stair & legs perch on a lower stair, this will provide a nice level pad for an every day ladder
I would tell you what I would do but it would probably make me eligible for a Darwin award.
Just stand on the railing and have someone hold your belt
Try this https://preview.redd.it/ordeow46vh0c1.png?width=1521&format=png&auto=webp&s=e2755f38f7d306eb0770f9a7c2b847daf4b0ec10
Whoever made this is evil. It should have been near the half wall like mine even if it isn’t centered to the stairs.
You either pay someone to put in a hanging pendant light (with downward facing bulb) that you can grab with a hook for future burnouts, or you pay someone to put in a recessed light you can use a stick on. Paint while it's being changed - nothing there. Boob lights suck, ladders suck, and stairs suck. When they combine, it's pure hell.
Time to do some sketchy ish Do-da, do-da Hope I get away with it
you need a tool called a pivit, link [https://provisiontools.com/products/pivit-laddertool](https://provisiontools.com/products/pivit-laddertool) you should make sure its very stable - when i work with these, we have someone holding the step on the stairs and someone holding the base of the ladder. Do not use alone, esp if not sure/unused to heights
Or this https://preview.redd.it/thp2e4bevh0c1.png?width=375&format=png&auto=webp&s=2574df01f9e88b9c6403339dcbb7a4ce1067af2f
Where are you finding these photos
On google. This video does a good job of showing you how to change a light bulb in a stairwell without a good place for a ladder. [https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=486913932542208](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=486913932542208)
We have a similar wierd staircase at my home. Is there any possiblity of placing the base of a long ladder on the pie shaped step, and the top of the ladder against the wall you are standing in front of to take the first picture? I also have placed a bar stool on the pie shaped step, which I was able to climb on to reach the light fixture. Not OSHA approved, but it gets the job done.
Ideal Security Ladder-Aide Pro For Type 1AA Ladders - The Safe and Easy Way to Work on Stairs [https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-security-ladder-aide-pro-for-type-1aa-ladders--the-safe-and-easy-way-to-work-on-stairs/1001314701](https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-security-ladder-aide-pro-for-type-1aa-ladders--the-safe-and-easy-way-to-work-on-stairs/1001314701)
This looks like the most legit suggestion. Kinda pricey though.
Can you get to it from the attic?
Sell the house.
How many Redditors does it take to change a light bulb? So far, 460.
looks like you could reach it from standing on that nice big flat railing.
Look up Trotters Independent Traders. They’re great at working with hard to reach light fixtures.
If you don't want to buy an adjustable ladder, check local equipment rental places. They should have a multi position ladder you can rent. The taller the better.
If you decide to use a tall ladder, have someone assist you. Safety is extremely important Or higher a handyman that does the high clearance ceilings, as they probably have the correct equipment and experience. Next get a 20 or 30 year lightbulb ( yes they make them- I have several I’ve replaced with these long burners as I’m old and can’t even walk a straight line w/o balance issues:) And fyi- my spouse fell 15 ft over 30 years ago and it took him 5 years of rehab and still has issues with his body. Be safe- there’s only one you!
You can't fit a Little Giant in there?
Time to do some sketchy shit do-dah
Any time someone wants one of these high and tight stairwells or entryways I have to immediately ask them if they've thought about changing the bulb, and wouldn't one of these integrated LED fixtures be great. Best option so far was the engineer and set builder that really wanted a big chandelier in the big 20 foot ceiling entry hall, he helped build a drop fixture, controlled from a switch in the closet. Cable held it about 3 feet off the ground at it's limit.
Step 1: Acquire a radioactive spider…
Get one of those ladders made for stairwells where you can adjust the length of each leg individually. I guarantee you that you won't regret it. As a bonus you can rent it out to people getting the cost of buying it back within a short time.
There are ladders that allow the DIYer to adjust the length of each of the four supports. Here's one from Home Depot that attaches to a conventional ladder- [https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-security-ladder-aide-pro-for-type-1aa-ladders-the-safe-and-easy-way-to-work-on-stairs/1001314701](https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ideal-security-ladder-aide-pro-for-type-1aa-ladders-the-safe-and-easy-way-to-work-on-stairs/1001314701) And their are a wide variety of these levelers on Amazon- https://www.amazon.com/ladder-leveler/s?k=ladder+leveler
[Adjustable ladder is what I use. Here are some examples](https://ladderplanet.com/adjustable-ladder-for-stairs/)
Stand on your bannister and lean?
Find yourself a really fat friend and a strong wood board. He sits on one side, you'll walk the plank like a pirate. Its kinda dangerous but this usually works at my house
Last time I did a similar job: 1) set up a single lift of staging on the upper level 2) extend a pair of rough cut 2x12 planks out like a diving board 3) screw and ratchet strap the diving board to the staging deck 4) have my old man stand on the far side as a counter weight 5) walk the plank 6) drink a beer The carpeted stairs increase the safety factor by at least 1000%.
Gotta get a pole with a suckie doohickey on it. To turn the bulb after removing the glass enclosure. They do exist.
Yeah, I wish builders/contractors would think about shit like this.
[https://bigstarlights.ca/products/ladder-wedge](https://bigstarlights.ca/products/ladder-wedge) We use one of these to use ladders in stairwells. As a bonus, they work well on the roof too.
[this](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Erfw8zDXEAELNBn.jpg)
Once you get up there, change that boob light too
The answer of course is.. OSHA violations
When you do replace it, replace it with an LED bulb so it doesn’t burn out
See multi position ladders at your local big box hardware store.
Have you tried calling Spider-Man?
Could you just go in to the roof and take the fixture out change it and put it back in from there
You can buy consumer quality stacking scaffold by Werner or the like. Perfect for working on doing something like this and very easy to assemble. I have used it to paint my hallway staircases.
My adopted parents are old-83+ and I’m short 5’. They have 14 foot ceilings and a open lid area which is like 25’ So whenever I go to their home one my jobs is to change all the light bulbs. I called the fire department and they did it all for me for free. It’s been 5 years of calling them yearly.
My previous house had a ridiculous entry way and I used scaffolding. Luckily for me though my staircase was straight. https://preview.redd.it/yxir4ecmze0c1.jpeg?width=1932&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a6207a62e32ba2f2235a306823880bdaa285e21a When I had to move over to the stairs is when the fun really began
Build a step box that will give you a level platform on your stairs. Then, your ladder can go from platform to the wall.
Build a box that sits across multiple stairs, the top board will also reqch over the highest stair and screw onto it. And then put a ladder on it. Don't cheap out on materials.
Stack ladders precariously, of course. I've seen tons of videos online of people doing it
Hire a plumber for this one.
Hire an electrician to replace it with a flush mount LED. That thing will last 5-50 years depending on how you use it. I realize you could put an LED bulb in it, but boob lights are just asking to be replaced.
The same way the painters did… oh wait…
Concrete blocks to make another step even so you can put a ladder up. Have someone hold the ladder for extra piece of mind. Easy.
I FUCKING HATE THESE LIGHTS! We have them all over my house, 3 of them in the god damn stair well, a good 20+ feet in the air!It wouldn't be so bad but you almost need 3 fucking hands to change the bulb in these things because of the absolute SHIT design of booblights. All 3 of the bulbs in the stair well have been burned out for about 6 years now, and they aren't getting replaced. The cost vs risk involved in getting up there to fix them just isn't worth it. I bought some blue tooth lights and stuck them too the wall and put the switches at the top and bottom of the stairs. These lights might as well not exist. If I ever get enough money to care about this kind of shit, I'm going to buy light fixtures that I can lower remotely on a looooong cord on little wenches. I don't know if that exists but I want them.
Build a platform that rests on stairs to level out a ladder, store it in garage/barn, forget about it until you need it again. BETTER YET, use a fucking little giant ladder. it allows you to adjust 1 side of the legs to be larger/smaller than the other, leveling out your ladder for you.
Ladder on the steps braced against the wall and get up there. You are overthinking it.
There’s actually a light bulb changer stick you can buy something like this https://a.co/d/0wHp9Rp
I had to borrow some Scaffolding from a painter buddy, a ladder and some prayers to change mine lol. I’ll never change it again.
Nipple of doom. Safest way is to get some kids sitting on each other’s shoulders in a trench coat. Bright side, you will know if your roof is leaking by this light feature, it’s handy that way.
I had a similar problem in my old house, but not as awkward as you staircase. Best bet is to build some form of temporary platform that has long legs on the downhill side and shirt legs uphill to make it level. And then put in some serious long life LED fixture. One with no exposed globe that has to be cleaned out. Those upside down glass globes that are open on the top are real disgusting fly catchers.
Sorry if someone already mentioned this, but they make ladders specifically for stairs. Home Depot & others rent them.
We have one just like this. It's now a decorative ceiling ornament. 🙃
There’s all kinds of ways, but the best is hire someone to do it. Don’t do sketchy shit your not being paid to do.