I want to get a ladder to be able to go up on the roof of my house. It a single story, 8-8.5′ ceilings, 3-5′ from grade to first floor depending what side of the house you’re on.
What kind of angle should the ladder ideally rest at against the side of the house, and how long should it be?
Thanks,
Rebeccah
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Replies
This might help you.
http://www.duosafety.com/ladder_placement.html
Take a look at this thread:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=72658.1
It's not specifically about length, but it covers a lot of ladder safety issues.
If you're looking at extension ladders (rather than multi-position ladders, such as the Little Giant), here's a web site with some good information:
http://www.askthebuilder.com/B197_Extension_Ladder_Sizing_.shtml
But do consider the Little Giant too since you may find many other uses for it around the house. It does cost quite a bit more, however.
-Don
You want a 20' extension ladder. Perfect for getting on one-story houses. When you stand on the bottom rung, grab the rung directly in front of your shoulders and your arms should be just about straight. If you buy a decent quality ladder (like a Werner fiberglass 300# model, usually orange in color) you can lean it a little further than that with absolutely no problem.
Thanks, guys. Very helpful. And I am definitely thinking about a Little Giant, or more likely, the Costco knock-off.Rebeccah
A 20 foot extension ladder only extends to 17 feet. A model 17 little giant extends to 15 feet, model 22 extends to 19 feet.
OSHA standards require an extension ladder to extend 3' above the "climb on surface". I'm guessing that you are not in any way required to work to OSHA standards, but I guess they put some thought behind these rules they have. Also, don't know about the Little Giant type ladders, but anyone who works with ladders on a regular basis knows that it is not desirable to have to extend an extension ladder to it's full length as it gets less stable.
>>OSHA standards require an extension ladder to extend 3' above the "climb on surface". .... I guess they put some thought behind these rules they have. I too have given a lot of thought to the amount of extension above the working surface, mounting (and dismounting) different roofs day in and day out, as I do.The 3 foot rule works well on flat and relatively low pitch roofs.As the pitch increases, however, it becomes less appropriate, and as the pitch nears, say 8/12, my experience is that minimal extension above the surface works best, especially for getting back onto the ladder.And one should always consider the dismount before mounting: it is far easier to get on a roof than off.
Fighting Ignorance since 1967
It's taking way longer than we thought
You are sooooo right.
And if you wear shorts, that 3' will often snag ya.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
There is no cure for stupid. R. White.
I go for 3 rungs ...
have learned over the years that having something to grab on first makes for an easier dismount, like ya said.
and the extended rungs only grab your shorts if they're too low(rungs, that is) ...
proper extension above the roof ... and U are climbing "around" ... not "over".
to the original poster ... try out a little giant at the store first ... they are very heavy.
a black tip aluminum is the lightest/strongest ... if U even need the weight capacity.
most HO's don't ... middle weight aluminum 20' is what I'd shoot for.
Helps to have a ladder that's light enough to work with ... set up safely ... move if need be ... tear down ... store.
If it's too heavy ... U won't wanna use it as much.
for the price and weight ... a little giant can be replaced with several "task specific" ladders ...
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I have 2 28' Louisville extension ladders, a 7'-11' combo step/extension Werner and a couple of the older magnesium lightweight step/extension/adjust-leg ladders.If I was buying new - I might be tempted to pick up the ladders I just saw at Lowes that had built in kickbutt levelers on the legs. I think it was a 250lb. load 24' and cost about $239 or so.My 28's are heavy, but I picked them up at a rummage sale with a 8-15' alum platform for about $200, so there you go...JT
I agree.
saw those warner(I think) leg levelers with the level in an ad ...
that'd be great for a home owner, who's not setting one up all the time.
nice for us too!
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
and U are climbing "around"
That's exactly the part I don't like!
I'm going over...I don't care what OSHA says. I don't tell them how high to set their chair heights in relation to their desks, and I won't let them tell me what's safe for me when I'm coming down off a 32' ladder.
blue
I'm much more comfortable having something to reach out and touch before steping down.
I realize that if I take a tumble ... that black tip sticking up there ain't gonna do nothing but follow me down ... but I find it much easier to get and hold my balance when I'm steping around as opposed to over and down.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I prefer to climb around too. OTOH, being only an ocaisional roof walker I draw my limit at 7:12 unless I have fall protection.
I agree with you about climbing over, rather than around, when the roof pitch is getting steep.
That goes double when you're carrying something- when the ladder is high, it's hard to set it on the roof while you're still on the ladder, and clambering around the ladder is even more difficult when you can't keep your center of gravity as close in.zak
"so it goes"
Zak, everyone that climbs on a roof has to be comfortable. I object to some desk jockey in Washington telling me what is safe for me. I'd like that jackazz to come to my jobsite and show me how high to put my ladder...then I'd toss his azz to the ground and colllect my reward.
Everyone's different. Jeff likes to grab onto something, I like to lower my center of gravity and slided down over the top. To each his own.
blue
Thanks for all the input. I got the Werner model from Costco, for $99. This is for very occasional use. The ladder extends to 14'5" (nominal 17'), but I mis-stated the height of the floor from the exterior grade -- it's only about 2' at the most accessible point, so the total height to the roof is about 10' to maybe 10'6". In any event, this ladder is 1-2' longer than the rickey wooden one it replaced, and WAY more versatile, more stable, and safer all-around.I'm one of those that prefers stepping over to stepping around, although it could be because I've never actually used a ladder that was extended 3' above the roof. OSHA has no say in this. I got up there to do what I needed to with no difficulty, though I had to have my fiance actually place the ladder - insufficient upper body strength and insufficient familiarity with the motion to lift and move the thing once fully extended.Rebeccah
I have the $99 Werner ladder from Costco. I also have the $300+ Little Giant. The ladders are the only ones I use now. The ladders are heavier, but they are more stable and flex less.
No other ladders feel more comfortable when I reach the 2nd story eaves by standing it on top a 6' high block wall
No offense to women, but I'd rethink the fiance'.
--- No offense to women, but I'd rethink the fiance'. ---No offense taken, but I'm not sure what you mean. Why should I rethink the fiance, and why would I be offended by your suggestion that I do so? Does it have anything to do with my lack of experience swinging 14'5" long ladders around...Rebeccah
Thanks for the update. It's always nice to hear how things worked out.
-Don
Over vs. around for me depends on whether I've tied the top of the ladder off with rope. Grab onto something and swing around is only comfortable if the something is gonna stay put. I'm heavy, the ladder isn't. So if it's not tied, going around puts the combined center of gravity out where I'd be depending on friction between the top of the ladder and the building.
-- J.S.
As the pitch increases, however, it becomes less appropriate, and as the pitch nears, say 8/12, my experience is that minimal extension above the surface works best, especially for getting back onto the ladder.
Bob, we agree on something.
Run!!!!!!
blue
The one, the only:
http://www.jawsladders.com/index.html
Which are actually made by these folks: http://www.featherliteladders.com/ and the "Little Giant" is really a licensed copy; but, if you see them side-by-side, you quickly realize the Little Giant is built to a lessor standard to save money.
I have a JT26, perfect for your home, even if a little heavy.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario