Long ladder from floor to ceiling, adjust to size, something heavy at the base to stop it slipping as it will not be at the 1:4 angle.

You can usually reach all parts of a stairwell with two ladder placings.

First, sit the ladder on one of the steps and rest the top of it onto the back wall of the stairwell - the one over the downward of the steps. It's a question of placing the ladder on the correct step to get the angle right. Wrap towels or cloths around the top of the ladder to prevent damage to the wall.

Secondly, place a smaller ladder (or the same ladder retracted to a shorter length) so that it rests on the top of the winder steps with the top on the stairwell flank wall.

In this way you should find that with care you can reach the whole of the stairwell, including the ceiling. If you find you're stretching a bit too much use a small 4" foam roller on a long handle.

Bing.alau

"Get a proper man in" you mean a skilled opperative. grin

Mr Mistoffelees

I lived in a bungalow in the Far East that had more stairs than my house does! The word 'bungalow' means slightly different things in different parts of the world.

I wouldn't mind living in one now, if it was big enough; it would probably cost a lot less to heat in the winter.