My ladder

[JOSE M. NIEBLAS]

Hello Guys,
I have a question and need advice… I recently complete the OSHA 30 course and realized that the Ladder that I have been using for nearly 8 years of Home Inspection is a Death Trap. It’s one of those fold down *not a little Giant but similar. Even thou I have a truck and caring a bigger safer ladder wont be an issue. What do you guys recommend? I have been looking at a Werner 20’ extension ladder 250 lb or should I go for a 24 foot one (a lot heavier and harder to move around). Thanks in advance for your input….

[Martin A. Jorgensen]

What ever your weight is get one rated at least 25 pounds more, min.

I have a little giant, a 22 ft. ext. a telescopic, a little 3 footer, and a six footer that I use pretty often while working.

[Tim Spargo]

I would think a 24' would be minimum, but that's just me.

I would assume you would need from time to time a longer ladder than a 24 footer, but I'm comparing myself and neighborhoods to yours. You would know best the heights and such needed and your comfort level.

I've climbed a few and sure other guys have done more than a few 2 stories with a daylight basement or any other config. that will leave a 32 footer short also.

I like Alum's for 20 and 24' as they are light and fairly durable. Light being important for inspection aspects as I'm carrying ME up the ladder and not a roll of felt or roofing material. For the larger lengths, fiberglass is the way to go.... AND my 3 foot metal stakes at the base of the ladders if I'm going up.

And lastly, if it's windy .... I've devised a system of squeeze clamps on either side of the ladder with a tie down attached to the squeeze clamps... Wind can "move" your ladder around and a little extra support is nice when going back on the ladder from the roof. Most of the accidents on ladders that I'm aware of (not all) have been when you're stepping back on to the ladder... Or the ladder kicks out.


I guess my long-winded point is... be a little safer than you need AND don't buy a ladder that's too short, especially if you have a truck to carry a good ladder with. If you think a 24 is OK... get a 28!

Good Luck

Tim

[David A. Andersen]

Do you crazy people that climb 28 foot ladders follow OSHA guidelines and have a helper and harness equipment when you climb more than three steps?!

In my opinion, only the fire department should be climbing three stories (+)!

I seem to remember something in my state law and many SOP's that a home inspector is not required to place himself in inherent danger to inspect a house.

The real big heavy-duty ladders that I have are difficult to handle without help. This raises the potential to cause property damage.

If I can't get onto the roof from a lower elevation (below the third floor), I simply inspect the roof from the attic or from down the street with a high-powered spotting scope.

Jose, my general observation is that you're a pretty big guy.
I don't know if it's true, but they say "the bigger they are, the harder they fall"?!

Just be safe!
There are home inspectors here that are permanently disabled because of ladders.

[Linas I. Dapkus]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Do you crazy people that climb 28 foot ladders follow OSHA guidelines and have a helper and harness equipment when you climb more than three steps?!

In my opinion, only the fire department should be climbing three stories (+)!

I seem to remember something in my state law and many SOP's that a home inspector is not required to place himself in inherent danger to inspect a house.

The real big heavy-duty ladders that I have are difficult to handle without help. This raises the potential to cause property damage.

If I can't get onto the roof from a lower elevation (below the third floor), I simply inspect the roof from the attic or from down the street with a high-powered spotting scope.

Jose, my general observation is that you're a pretty big guy.
I don't know if it's true, but they say "the bigger they are, the harder they fall"?!

Just be safe!
There are home inspectors here that are permanently disabled because of ladders.

Jose,
I agree with David. You're too fat to be climbing a ladder. My recommendation:Lose some weight first then try a 20' extension ladder. That should do the trick.

[David A. Andersen]

I agree with David. You're too fat to be climbing a ladder.

Now I didn't say that Linas!
You don't appear to be much of a "Ladder Jockie" either!

I stick to 12' max if I can help it!

[Linas I. Dapkus]

I hate to disapoint you David, but I recently won this event. See me in action here.

[Wayne B. Wilson]

LOL I have a problem thinking that was you Linas Nice try
I agree with David
BTW i had to take Ladder safety at least every 3months for 23 Years . I used to have a 40 foot ladder on my company truck. I am not carrying that thing on HI. I have folding 16 foot, And Binoculars and a camera Pole.

[JOSE M. NIEBLAS]

Hello to all and The Comedian Linas I. Dapkus(not)

Here in my area most house you run in two are two stories, I do inspect them from the attic and try to avoid climb two stories (even thou I climb a lot hire when I Inspect for my job) if I don’t see anything majorly wrong. I’m think a 20’ ladder is not to far off for one story homes. Ladder should be 3’ above fascia and 1 foot +/- out for ever four feet you go up. Thank you and be safe.

[JOSE M. NIEBLAS]

I Also I agree with David! I hope none of us are Climbing 3 Stories. I had to do this for a roof inspection for a Library down here (JFK library in Hialeah, Florida) even thou everything was setup properly to go up by ladder (tied at the bottom and top) its not pretty or safe...

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

I use a Werner 16" articulating ladder (I also have a Extend n Climb, horror of horrors) I have had since starting this business 15 yrs ago. Its heavy but sturdy and positively locks at three joints. Most accidents happen because of operator error. Yeah, occasionally the equipment fails but most times it is because the person does something they should not be doing. Maintain the equipment, be cognizant of every move and effort when going up or down the ladder, foot placement, right kind of shoes, carrying too much crap, etc.

Probably preaching to the choir here but that is why they stress ladder safety so much and so often in professions that use them every day. Those people are the ones who get complacent because they DO use one every day and become cavalier about safety. I don't believe you need a $500 ladder when a $200-300 ladder will do just as well, just like that $30 moisture meter will tell you something is "wet" just as well as that $300 moisture meter.
Lastly, when your butt puckers up when you are about to do something, that is your brain telling you "Don't do that stupid, you are about to fall and bust your ignoramus". Listen to that voice screaming in your ear.

[Tim Spargo]

Opinions well said.

I can surmise the condition of the roof from the attic, but I can't see the roof. If I indicated a willingness to injure myself....ooops.

24 foot will barely do the job on many 2 story homes that I have arrived at, we do inspect 2 story homes, don't we? I feel safer sometimes with something that's more than adequate. That was my point. Agreed that the larger ladders ARE heavy, not a problem for me just yet.

Shoes/boots a good point too! I didn't think of mentioning that. My flat soled, Die Hard boots stick nicely to roofs with loose granule, concrete tile with dust and so on. And on the warm days, they don't tear up shingles like tennis shoes. They also rarely hold crud between the tread. Reminds me to order some more booties as the wet season is here. Or supposed to be here. I'm in CA...

That voice telling you not to do that may also be telling you something else... I need to SEE the roof

Tim

[David P. Valley]

I utilize a 45 foot telescopic ladder because it's the longest ladder I can get to fit inside my 2008 Avalanche. There have been times that I needed a longer ladder, but in these homes I simply utilized my binoculars or I called the fire dept.

So, the longer the ladder that safely fits into or on your vehicle...the better.