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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Jackal on November 28, 2009, 11:43:02 am

Title: sloping driveway
Post by: Jackal on November 28, 2009, 11:43:02 am
is it best to use spikes on a driveway that slopes as bit worried about doing a house next week with one for first time its block paved got the spikes but not fitted them to the ladder yet advice anyone please
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: Tosh on November 28, 2009, 11:50:50 am
I used to use laddermats for this sort of stuff; google for them.  I've never used spikes, so I can't really comment on their suitability.
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on November 28, 2009, 12:03:17 pm
if you can drive up to the windows in question i would use your van as a ladder support put your ladder against one of your van tyresi know its a bit tricky on pavers best to safe then sorry mate!!! 8)
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: Tosh on November 28, 2009, 12:07:04 pm
Jakal, just make sure you don't take any risks.  If you feel unsafe, you probably are.  There's nothing wrong with missing 'dodgy windows' and knocking a pro-rata amount off from the price of the clean.

Also be extremely cautious with decking at this time of year; its like an ice rink.
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: paulben on November 28, 2009, 12:19:44 pm
so is concrete thats going green
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on November 28, 2009, 12:21:47 pm
TOSH i can almost visualize you like a ballarina on skates !! i agree with the decking though gone a few times meself
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 28, 2009, 12:23:10 pm
Is it short duration work with no practicable alternative method of cleaning?

Could you use a trad pole instead?
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: A & J Owen Window Cleaning on November 28, 2009, 12:33:54 pm
get yourself a wfpole and  omnipole backpack just to do the tops got mine from ebay cheap you will never look back!!just easier in the long run total cost £400 
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: [GQC] Tim on November 28, 2009, 01:18:59 pm
I used to use laddermats for this sort of stuff; google for them.  I've never used spikes, so I can't really comment on their suitability.

Tosh, laddermats are lethal with anything but dry tarmac. I've had one of the worst ladders slips with them on slippery ground.

Ladder M8rix is what you want :

http://www.ladderm8.co.uk/about.htm
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: weetot on November 28, 2009, 01:36:26 pm
Purchase a ROJAK Stopper, just the ticket. Similar to the one above but probably cheaper IMO.
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: GWCS on November 28, 2009, 01:48:04 pm
Purchase a ROJAK Stopper, just the ticket. Similar to the one above but probably cheaper IMO.

Ive never found them to be any good - they just slip too.
nearly had an expensive accident using those on a internal conny roof clean.

If its outdoor id use a set of ladder limpets

(http://www.laddatec.com/images/gallery/large/1.jpg)

http://www.laddatec.com/index.htm
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: Sapphire Window Cleaning on November 28, 2009, 02:02:57 pm
I was told the safe use of ladders, your chest shouldn't be higher than the top rung.
May of been ill informed.




Matt
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: jeff1 on November 28, 2009, 02:48:36 pm
Purchase a ROJAK Stopper, just the ticket. Similar to the one above but probably cheaper IMO.

Ive never found them to be any good - they just slip too.
nearly had an expensive accident using those on a internal conny roof clean.

If its outdoor id use a set of ladder limpets

(http://www.laddatec.com/images/gallery/large/1.jpg)

http://www.laddatec.com/index.htm
Same here if I have to use my ladders then its the ladder limpet all the way
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: jonnyald on November 28, 2009, 03:01:36 pm
is it best to use spikes on a driveway that slopes as bit worried about doing a house next week with one for first time its block paved got the spikes but not fitted them to the ladder yet advice anyone please

 i use spikes and the only thing id not use them on is polished concrete .  as yours are new theyll be sharp and if i was you id fit them on ,definitely

 has anybody ever seen spikes slip?
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: GWCS on November 28, 2009, 03:02:38 pm
I was told the safe use of ladders, your chest shouldn't be higher than the top rung.
May of been ill informed.




Matt
(that picture above is from the ladder limpet website)

you should always maintain 3 points of contact and not be stood on the top 2 rungs.

so really the stiles/rungs should be available to grasp to keep that 3 points of contact at all times - so that depends on how long your arms are  ;) Great if your an ladder orang-utan!  ;D

(http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/uncyclopedia/images/thumb/e/ea/Orang-Utan-Parkkonen.jpg/115px-Orang-Utan-Parkkonen.jpg)

Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: Jackal on November 28, 2009, 03:38:05 pm
is it best to use spikes on a driveway that slopes as bit worried about doing a house next week with one for first time its block paved got the spikes but not fitted them to the ladder yet advice anyone please

 i use spikes and the only thing id not use them on is polished concrete .  as yours are new theyll be sharp and if i was you id fit them on ,definitely

 has anybody ever seen spikes slip?
so you have also used spikes for sloped drives aswell jonnyald?, as for other comments i no you should do everything possible to stay safe but when your just starting out its hard to find the cash for some extras like the wfp and would like buy the limpets as they look a really good safety feature but again need make some money first
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: jeff1 on November 28, 2009, 03:44:46 pm
is it best to use spikes on a driveway that slopes as bit worried about doing a house next week with one for first time its block paved got the spikes but not fitted them to the ladder yet advice anyone please

 i use spikes and the only thing id not use them on is polished concrete .  as yours are new theyll be sharp and if i was you id fit them on ,definitely

 has anybody ever seen spikes slip?
so you have also used spikes for sloped drives aswell jonnyald?, as for other comments i no you should do everything possible to stay safe but when your just starting out its hard to find the cash for some extras like the wfp and would like buy the limpets as they look a really good safety feature but again need make some money first

As a member of this or the wfp training academy forum you can get a 10% discount off the ladder limpet, you need the code that the mods should have
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: jonnyald on November 28, 2009, 04:12:43 pm
jackal,  my spikes are never taken off my ladder and iv used them on green decking . they dig into the wood a bit but hey so what .

 if your  blockpaving has a groove between the blocks thats where id put the spikes  . i cant remember sloping block paving but i do rtemember a pathway that sloped made of black and white floor tiles and i had no problem  . fits your spikes tomoro and try em out   jackal
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: martinsadie on November 28, 2009, 04:31:37 pm
spikes will be great but if unsure put your ladder in the corner of the window theen the 2 stiles arnt both facing down the slope but are across it so you are safer
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: dazmond on November 28, 2009, 05:22:22 pm
if in doubt i use a trad pole.i do have a rojak i use sometimes.better safe than sorry.i use the pole a lot in winter due to mossy/wet surfaces.
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: leapstallbuildings on November 28, 2009, 08:28:22 pm
is it best to use spikes on a driveway that slopes as bit worried about doing a house next week with one for first time its block paved got the spikes but not fitted them to the ladder yet advice anyone please

As you don't have WFP, why not try a trad pole and put applicator/squeegee on the end as appropriate?  Just tell the customer that the quality of the clean on that window may not be as good but it is necessary for the sake of safety.
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: wizard on November 28, 2009, 08:44:42 pm
I would use spikes very good and cheap another is to tie a rope to the garage door handle and onto the ladder so it cannot slip backward. I also have tent pegs to peg the base of the ladder all cheap and work in most cecomstances.I also peg those mats on grass to stop the slide
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: andyjm1 on November 28, 2009, 08:58:02 pm
In my opinion you can't work off a ladder on a sloping driveway safely, it's asking for trouble.
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: tom2009 on November 28, 2009, 09:35:15 pm
I use one of these http://www.midlandladders.com/products/Basemate_Professional_Ladder_Leveller-275-0.html as seem to encounter lots of uneven ground. Fantastic bit of kit for leveling off.
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: bad trippy on November 28, 2009, 09:41:08 pm
Do what us builders do whack a bag of sand down to foot the ladder if there are no human beings available
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: peter holley on November 28, 2009, 09:54:15 pm
lol ??? ??? ??? ??? ;D ;D
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: martinsadie on November 28, 2009, 11:43:21 pm
In my opinion you can't work off a ladder on a sloping driveway safely, it's asking for trouble.
not if you use common sense
Title: Re: sloping driveway
Post by: weetot on November 29, 2009, 09:34:24 am
Actually a jet powered back pack that i bought from a 70,s Bond film advertised on e-bay comes in rather handy at times, and it keeps the backs of your legs rather warm too.  ;)