Homemade Ladder Mitts
Protect surfaces with this DIY solution that uses foam pipe insulation and duct tape.
The problem with using store-bought ladder mitts (besides the expense) is that they cover only the end of an extension ladder, so if you need to lean it some distance down from the end, you will mar whatever surface you touch. I have had this problem several times in the past, but one day, I realized I could slip foam pipe insulation down the channel of the ladder and lean it wherever I wanted. As shown in the drawing, I wrapped the insulation over the top of the ladder and secured it with a few wraps of duct tape. I made some shallow cuts at the tight inside radius to keep the foam from bulging outward. By the way, I use the insulation that has a sticky side protected with removable tape. The sticky layer keeps the insulation in place.
Bill Pinkham, Richmond, CA
From Fine Homebuilding #166
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View Comments
Better than the old socks I use. Now, how do I keep the people who work for me from collapsing the ladder all the way and tearing it off?