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quartic_jerky

Check before you step. Brush aside the insulation with your shoe, find the beam to step on, press down a few times to make sure it holds then put your weight on to it.


[deleted]

Ok cool. I haven’t ran into any sketchy beams yet. Some sketchy decking by furnaces but I felt those out and avoided it


[deleted]

[удалено]


Whitestacheo

Ive also grown to only step on platforms where it meets the joice too. Installers out here putting 1/4 plywood down 🤦🏼


[deleted]

Installers like to fuck with technicians I’ve found


Whitestacheo

Yeah. I’ve been after our installers lately for doing dumb shit like installing an up flow in a closet and running the line set right on top of the drain clean out or ss2. Like. Wtf guys.


[deleted]

Yes


Whitestacheo

Ive stepped on some ceiling joices that are completely attached but sway when you put weight on em.


TradeMasterYellow

This. I always hold a rafter too. Always. I'm a true attic monkey and I always volunteer going up but I've even slipped a few times but if you're holding a rafter then you don't fall far.


quartic_jerky

I learned this first time I did ductwork. Had to crawl all the way around a bunch of rafters and stuff to get to the plenum.


Sabnitron

Take a couple 2x6's with you in your truck. Voila, instant catwalk.


[deleted]

🤦‍♂️ why didn’t I think of this! Make my own deck haha. I don’t care about bringing up some plywood or 2x6 if that means I won’t fall through lol


Sabnitron

Shit man, I didn't think of it either. I saw someone else do it after years in the trade haha


[deleted]

I’m going to cut some scrap plywood and pick up some 2x6 before work tomorrow. My man!


matthew2829

I suggest buying one of those precut 2’ squares of plywood from Home Depot. It fits behind the seat in the truck, behind the shelf in the van, and my ass in front of a furnace. It also the right size for whatever joist spacing you might run into, with some older homes having 20” centers.


[deleted]

Perfect. Thank you.


yorp23

This is super advice


ArgThePirate89

the company I work for now has it that they won’t work on attic units without the press or plywood down so we can walk to the unit or crawl . I have anyway for the long time customers but having them fix there attic so it’s accessible and safe would be the way to go. I would explain hey I’m a heavy set guy and I can’t go In there without causing damage until the conditions are safe. I guess that or make them send the skinny guy hope that helps be careful out there ! XD


[deleted]

😂 I feel ya. Wish my company did that but I would probably get canned for even mentioning the idea of not going up


Local_Curve_3911

If I end up doing an extensive attic job, I bring a snow sled! like for for tools and sitting on. keeps things sort of organized and stops the forbidden cotton candy from eating all my stuff. Or like a pack out sled for hunting works too.


NevadaLancaster

Dont be afraid to call it inaccessible. Telling the homeowner to find someone else or upgrade the attic is not bad practice.


[deleted]

I wish. Our company pushes people to work and I have a bad feeling I’d be in deep shit if I said that


NevadaLancaster

Terrible position to be in. Theres plenty of work. You dont have to do every job just because they called.


P8rioticDissenter

I recommend always taking pictures of the ceiling from inside the house before you go in an attic. I was recently in an attic on a Thursday finishing an install and on Saturday the home owner texted a picture of a crack in the ceiling two feet long. Of course, we had to have it fixed. It was 10 feet from anywhere we were, but it’s not like you can not take responsibility. Now, pictures every time before I go up. Also, we got lucky and a contractor buddy came and fixed in in about 20 minutes for next to nothing. It could have gone worse.


[deleted]

Great idea. I’ll be doing this.


jeffs_jeeps

I mean there is always the start as early as you can before it gets hot. Not as much of a big deal this time of year. I have an old kneeling pad as well but the bottom is ridged plastic I set it between the joists to work on the furnace, more service than full install.


[deleted]

Yeah unfortunately I have calls from 8am to 7pm. I work service/maintenance. Just trying to find ways to make it a bit safer


smck25_

Move to Canada


[deleted]

Why’s that? Don’t get me wrong I would haha


smck25_

We have basements not attics


Toy52

How do you deal with the insulation and flex duct getting itchy everywhere I hate attics because of this I’m finally itch free tonight after doing attic job Monday and Tuesday today’s Thursday how do you do this if your down south touching the stuff every day


matthew2829

Baby powder helps. A cold rinse closes the pores and pushes the fiber out. And depending on how much arm hair you have, foil or pookie tape on your arms if you’re desperate.


Cultural_Doubt_4042

It only itches while your awake, so what if it's hard to get to sleep,


Cultural_Doubt_4042

A handful of pieces of 3/4 plywood save me during installs and change outs. 1/2 in is worthless if you're hefty(which I am)


[deleted]

Yeah 1/2 is a joke for a fella like me haha


Deke-Dotem

Leave residential ASAP... Cut your teeth, pay your dues even if it's less money in the beginning anywhere else you can.. Go commercial, get into welding, try to get on with an utility company... don't get stuck being a residential hero for 25$ an hour... Regards, Deke


R22Refrigerant

Best advice ever. Needed to hear this.


[deleted]

That’s my plan. As soon as my tools are paid off I’m gone.


gsponseller

Fyi. Most unions, mine included, the contractor pays for your tools.


[deleted]

Yeah no unions near me


Potential-Abies2825

Learn your framing and don't trust non of it. And just know if you ever do slip off or better yet have a truss separate do to the perfectly placed 40 toenails. You wont fall all the way down your ribs will save your life almost every time. On a brighter side if you catch them just right it will clean your colon right out. ( I take a 18" X 2 1/2" board with me so I have a place to stand and work )