Ladder Mods

We're painting window trim up on the 2nd story windows. The old extension ladder is pretty rickety, and the ground is uneven, so I added these two things:

1) Adjustable feet:


2) Spreader bar for the top:


It's much more stable now. I'm really happy with the improvement.

 

Sketchy ladders are no fun. Last time I had to redo my soffits and paint the second story, I made a wooden platform screwed to the side of my house. Same price as buying pump jacks, but way safer. Pump jacks... If you're using them sketchy with 2x10s and scabbed together 2x4s.. No fun either. Was doing a 3rd story remodel and that was no fun with them.

 

hard to work when you are hanging on for dear life..... nice safety improvements

 

Always use 300# rated ladders. Your ladder rails do not look heavy duty.

 

I despise pump jacks. I never fell because of them, but my heart stopped a few times from them! When raising higher with those stupid things, I've had them slip 3 different times, like a 3' drop before they caught. When your on the side of a house, 2 stories up, its no fun. Its been ladders, or full scaffold ever since. I'm too old for those kind of suprises.
Those ladder levelers are interesting. Never have seen those before.
-Donny

 

My dad found them somewhere and liked them so much he bought me a set for Christmas.

Having put them to use now, I love them.

 

I inherited this one from my grandfather and all the rating stickers are long gone. It's at least 40 years old.

You bring up a good point. I've been using this one because I have it. I should look at safer new ladders I can move the goodies to.

 

Those fiberglass ladder are pretty nice, but boy they are heavy.

 

This ladder subject is interesting. I have some experience in my life, and I know some people who had a bad experience, some deadly.
I am a little bit skeptical with your system. I use now an alpinist rope + safety harness to have a secure line of life.
Before installing a ladder, I take care of the angle... and I put carefully boards under the feet to have a good position.
It takes time but all other systems, I don't trust. Falling from a ladder is very fast and you cannot stop it.
That's my opinion, it is your life.

 

Having fallen from 9 ft off a angle iron ladder I thought was securely attached to a 16 ft deer hunting tripod stand and broken both heels and back in '96 and I spent 2 1/2 months in a wheel chair and have a bunch of hardware in my left heel bone. I do not use them anymore period! I have learned that it is way easier to "write a check" because my grey hair reminds me of my flying Wallenda trick that could have been way worse. I can recall back in my 20s working on exterior scallfolding 5 stories up and stepping off one plank onto another and falling that 1 1/2" startling me but keep working. My neighbor gave me his ladder with the adjustable legs he used for painting his house on a sloped lot and I thought I could use it but sold it the next yard sale I had.

So be safe when on a ladder cause it can bite back and cause a life changing event.

 

x2, every time. The same even with short step ladders

 

Very good advice.

 

With the help of alpinist equipment, well fixed, I don't care to fall, but I don't look for.
I use the ladder but I feel free. That was some time ago, now at 72 I prefer to pay a pro.
I am not an alpinist, but this system (sold to US firemen, for instance) is really secure.
I could go out of a window at the 40 th level of a building without fear. Fun.
The specialist at the big sport shop explained and show me, so I bought the system.
It is really surprising.
Verticality - Petzl USA | Professional

 

We call that the "One Inch Heart Attack." Like being shot at and missed!