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:

  1. Set an extension ladder on one of the lower steps and lean the top against the wall opposite the top of the stairs.
  2. Place a small stepladder (six-foot size) on the landing at the top of the stairs.
  3. 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 the video above to find out more.

Editorial Contributors
avatar for Joe Truini

Joe Truini

Radio Show Co-Host

Joe Truini is a contractor, author, and the host of “Simple Solutions” on Today’s Homeowner TV and the weekly Today’s Homeowner radio show. He has worked on both large commercial projects and residential remodeling, and has written for national publications such as This Old House and Popular Mechanics. He has also written eight books, including three best-selling shed-building books. Joe lives in Connecticut with his family and enjoys hiking, traveling, and baseball in his spare time.

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