Topic: Ladders and Pressure Washers

[Thad]

It definitely helps, but don't your ladder feet flip around to dig into the ground?

[Chris]

My ladders have the feet that you can flip up and dig into the ground but when I saw the ladders fall from a distance, nobody was around and they just slid down. It was weird. Maybe ghosts? I am thinking of a bungee cord with 2 big alligator clips, one for the ladder and one to clip to the facia, roof edge or something so if something happens, the ladder will hopefully not fall to the ground. Do you use the ladder stops? How do you like them? Looks like a sheet of aluminum with a piece of aluminum welded at a 90 degree and rubber on the bottom. Are they aluminum or steel?

[Chris]

That is pretty clever of how it is designed. The weight of the ladder pushes down onto the plate and rubber and against the metal strip so the ladder does not slide off the big plate and the rubber on the bottom of the plate keeps the plate from sliding on the ground. Very clever. I like it.

[Thad]

Chris, if the feet are dug in and you have the right angle there should be no problem with it sliding straight out. A Ladder Max will keep it from sliding sideways.
I never use a ladder stop on dirt or grass. I feel much more confident with a properly-placed ladder with the feet dug in. I always bounce on the first or second rung a few times to make sure it's set before I commit.

[Chris]

Thanks for the info.

[Thad]

I roofed as a young lad and learned not to play around when it comes to ladders.
Be safe!

[Chris]

Is it just me or are the Fiberglass ladders heavier than the Aluminum ladders? I grew up working with Aluminum ladders then heard about how safe the Fiberglass ladders are but never had one until I got my 24' extension and 12' step ladder. I need to find Aluminum in these sizes and get rid of the Fiberglass. I am never around electric wires when I work with ladders so I think I will be safe with the Aluminum. Growing up we had the 24', 32', and 40' commercial rental duty ladders my dad bought from the rental place when they got too much paint on them and the owner wanted everythig looking nice for rental. Those 40' ladders were heavy. I would hate to use one today.

[Thad]

Fiberglass is much heavier.