Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ftp on August 01, 2009, 10:57:57 pm

Title: Ladders question
Post by: ftp on August 01, 2009, 10:57:57 pm
How far is it safe to extend a double set of ladders - is there a set number of rungs that should be overlapped?
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: martinsadie on August 01, 2009, 10:58:52 pm
three  ;D
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: Clive McDonald on August 01, 2009, 11:33:27 pm
I've been thinking about some skymaster combination ones, are these any good?
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: ftp on August 02, 2009, 07:48:52 am
I have a double set of twelve rung ladders that will only just reach the guttering. This means extending them to the max of my reach. Obviously I need longer ladders or a set of triple extenders to get an extra metre to get above the gutter line.
So, longer doubles or shorter triples - which one?
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: martinsadie on August 02, 2009, 08:07:26 am
That would depend on the angle you were using them at.
i always do 3 no matter what angle
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: wire1078 on August 02, 2009, 08:07:46 am
You need longer doubles.Carrying triples all day and then extending them is a pain
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: martinsadie on August 02, 2009, 08:08:31 am
I have a double set of twelve rung ladders that will only just reach the guttering. This means extending them to the max of my reach. Obviously I need longer ladders or a set of triple extenders to get an extra metre to get above the gutter line.
So, longer doubles or shorter triples - which one?
personally i would go for doubles everytime
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: andyjm1 on August 02, 2009, 08:17:15 am
That would depend on the angle you were using them at.

There is only one angle they should be used at.
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: martinsadie on August 02, 2009, 08:23:27 am
That would depend on the angle you were using them at.

There is only one angle they should be used at.
in a perfect world,but if laddering over a bay or veranda sometimes its to be 45 degrees but if ladder footed or against a wall no problem
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: jonnyald on August 02, 2009, 09:23:36 am
i use triple ladders ,  the advantage of em is that they slip INSIDE  a regular hatchback car /small van such as Escort .   light as anything too and  manys the time iv  hitched off just one section to perch it on a first floor balcony to get at a high dormer Velux window
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: matt on August 02, 2009, 09:40:13 am
triples every single time

if you get longer doubles you have to stretch further to extend them, in the past i have had to stand on the bottom 2 rungs to extend them

triples you dont need to do that
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: steven ainger on August 02, 2009, 09:53:23 am
ive a set of triples on the van and what i do is, take the base section and ratchet strap it to the roof rack facing the other way to what the other 2 sections will be going.
then the top 2 sections are held in place with a ladder clamp, going all the way through the 3 sections. this way if i need to use the ladder for access, or an average gutter clean, i only have to carry the 2 sections, but the 3rd section is always there if needed, and can be used by undoing a ratchet strap.
 hope that makes sence.
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: Nathanael Jones on August 02, 2009, 10:24:28 am
Triples would be my choice too.
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: dazmond on August 02, 2009, 01:13:08 pm
i just use 3.5 metre double ladders and never extend more than 3 rungs from the top.only clean 1st floor windows from a ladder.any higher i use 30ft extension unger pole with a vise versa or swivel squeegy.safety first pal or use WFP.I also recommend ladder mitts and rojak ladderstopper.do not comprimise ur safety to clean ANY windows.regards. ;)
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: ftp on August 02, 2009, 01:22:45 pm
Popped in for a coffee.
Ok if i went for triples what size do I need to easily reach about a metre above the normal gutter line?

I am 99.9% wfp but I offer a gutter cleaning service with my vac, however, it won't unblock a downpipe very well, I also have a pressure washer and lance but to be honest it's soo much easier to climb up and oik it out. I had to take a foot long lump of cement out the other day and neither machine would be any good for that.
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: ftp on August 02, 2009, 05:19:08 pm
Is it safe?

Depends on how fast the van is travelling I suppose.
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: Ian_Giles on August 02, 2009, 05:59:17 pm
Several replies deleted, this is nothing to do with WFP, it is a straight question about ladder use.

My own ladder is a tripple, it can't be over extended because the stops are built in to stop you doing just that...
Can't comment on all makes of ladder, but I believe most of them are designed so you cannot over extent them.

Ian.

Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: tacky on August 02, 2009, 06:18:46 pm
titan 3.5 doubles .good all rounder .bout £90
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: Sapphire Window Cleaning on August 03, 2009, 01:37:02 pm
The length of the ladder cannot be greater than 6mtres without it being fixed to the building, yet there's another rule stating if the ladders are unsecured i.e. not footed or have an anti slip device your feet should not be higher than 2 metres off the ground.
Talk about making things complicated H&S!!!
Title: Re: Ladders question
Post by: GWCS on August 03, 2009, 02:19:23 pm
The length of the ladder cannot be greater than 6mtres without it being fixed to the building, yet there's another rule stating if the ladders are unsecured i.e. not footed or have an anti slip device your feet should not be higher than 2 metres off the ground.
Talk about making things complicated H&S!!!

can you show us confirmation of the 2 metre rule please.