I’m looking at getting some ladders for resi work. I have been only doing store fronts for my 1st time customers. I have a <a href=“http://shopwindowcleaner.com/review/product/list/id/557/category/142/” target=“http://shopwindowcleaner.com/review/product/list/id/557/category/142/”>Ettore 27’ 3 Section REA-C-H Pole</a> which I haven’t had to use on the store fronts I have done so far. I know I’ll need extension ladders and step ladders, for not only window cleaning, but gutter cleaning, light bulb changing, roof cleaning as well. So what size ladders do you have in your arsenal, how many and what do you use them for?
We keep 20’ & 28’ extension ladders (1 of each) and a 4’ 8’ and 12’ foot step ladder on the van…99% of the time they are all that is needed… rarely need the 12 except for chandelier cleaning.
Jimmy- Dude…
Dange here, You should think about sectionals for ladder work below 28’…I use extension @ a 28’er and occasionally use a 32’er ! Stabilizers and levelers are a must for safety sake ! I also have a 40’er…Werner for the 28 / 32.
4 pieces of sectionals…A 6’ tip, 2- 6’ mid sections and either a 4’ 5’ or a 6’ base…I prefer the 6’ base and the tip with a vee groove ! If you get the metallic sectional don’t have them add the base feet because you should install levelers !
Dange
PS…are you related to Stacy Keech ?
I have probably a dozen ladders now. I kept finding great deals around town or would by them from homeowners that are moving.
My 4’ step ladder and 20’ extension get the most use. But I’ve been getting use to my 21’ little giant. Its heavy, but its making me buff.
We use the Werner knock off of the Little Giant for most things. We also have a small 3 step ladder for shorter inside work. On occasion we rent a 32ft ladder or 14ft step ladder for high interior light fixtures. I am contemplating getting a set of sectionals this year as well.
I’ve got too many ****ing ladders…
I have a 23’ & 27’ extension lasers I don’t use much anymore since my 21’ little giant does most everything. Also a 12’ litter giant rip off and a couple little 3’ step ladders. Werner standoffs. Use my wfp equipment more than ladders though these days.
I use all of the above, but this is my main ladder in residential, Xtend & Climb telescoping ladder, which extends and locks by the foot by Core Distribution
Agree with Dange 100%. I’d be lost without my sectionals!
I have a 18 foot cosco ladder (little giant wannabe) & a 45 foot pure water pole. I do mainly one & two story homes.
I use a small fold up step stool for quicky stuff, then I have a a 4ft and 7ft step, and would like to add a 10-12ft for chandeliers soon.
I also use 24ft ext Werner with built-in leg levels and I use the Werner quick-clip standoff. I’m still planing to go the “llaczko route” and use the 97p with the quick-click attachment.
Sincerely,
Nate-- aka “Stud Muffin Lips”
For storms, I use a 6’ Werner aluminum Type II step-ladder with brackets to hold the windows and a tray for run-off.
To dry mini-blinds, I now use two Werner MT17 ladders to support a plank where bungies hold up to twelve fully-open blinds.
My Werner 40’ aluminum Type I extension ladder was used once for a 3-story CCU. No local rental center had one in stock; the one that was transferred in was bent (though they still tried to talk me into it, LOL.) A call to an out-of-town industrial supply – whose name was forwarded by the GC – and I had the ladder delivered onsite overnite. So heavy with a stand-off attached.
An extension with a Werner 97P attached can be configured such that the standoff arms are below the gutter (rather than on the roof above), creating an unobstructed work area for gutter cleaning when the roof is unwalkable or debris is very wet.
Sectionals work great on narrow circular staircases where one needs to be face to the glass.
A 2-foot step ladder is convenient for getting up on counters for cleaning deep-set bay windows behind the kitchen sink.
Be extra careful climbing or descending any ladder while wearing Korkers (no; no horror stories here.)
Good advice. I don’t own a pair yet (still waiting for WCR to get them in). Do the Korkers with the spikes have a space in the middle that is free of spikes-- or is the entire thing covered?
I have ladders ranging from 2’ to 40’. A bit over 200’ of total length.
Sectionals are by far my favorite for window cleaning and I can’t recommend them enough. I’d recommend a 6’ and 8’ top section, 2 middle 6’ sections, and a 6’ base section. Unlike Dange, I hate attached leg levelers on sectionals. To me it defeats the benefit of sectionals being lightweight. Plus it’s well documented on this forum my feelings of moving parts on ladders, especially on levelers.
A 2’ or 4’ step ladder are great for transom windows and getting up onto counters for that deep kitchen window like Lar mentioned. They’re also great if you are not of average height or don’t have a long reach.
You can’t go wrong with a 6’ step ladder.
If you’re going to clean chandeliers or ceiling fans a 12’ step ladder is a must.
I have a 24’ extension ladder that is hardly used because of my sectionals. It’s mainly used for gutter cleaning because sectionals are not ideal for gutter cleaning.
My 32’ extension is used for window cleaning when windows are higher than 4 sections, and it’s also used heavily for gutter cleaning.
My 40’ is used only a handful of times a year for high attic windows or high gutters. I got by renting one for years before I finally bought one last year when my local rental place was out.
I’d also highly recommend a ladder stand off for extension ladders and the Pivit Ladder Tool for leveling extension and sectional ladders.
They do have a space. It’s in the middle, or arch of your foot. Kinda awkward to climb a ladder without using the ball of your foot though. Best thing to do is go slow and be careful when using them.
My most used ladders are 4’ 20’ and 24’ in that order.
Always:
[INDENT] - 5½ pieces per Climber[/INDENT]
As needed:
[INDENT]- (1) 48 foot extension
- (1) 40 foot extension
- (1) 30-something (sorry, I forget) extension[/INDENT]
most days we use a 20’/16’/6’/4’/2’. The 2’ is very handy inside houses. however, i also purchased a couple step tool boxes from northern tools a couple years ago. i make sure my employees have a work kit in the tool box, and its a good height for inside houses. I also have a 24’/28’ and 32’. I find that most houses I need an extra tall ladder for, the 28’ works fine.
IMPORTANT! My most important ladder purchase was the levelok ladder leg system a couple years ago. It is really an ingenious system and is essential for safety. I used to have the stabilizers that were attached to my ladder legs permanently, but that is craziness! I will never work without the leveloks again!
For most 1 story and side/back split homes I can get by with my Cosco 17’ little giant kockoff. or anything higher I’ve got a 28’ extension ladder.
I also use the pivit tool ( just purchased it this year) and stabilizer.
Dange is right, standoffs and leg stabilizers are essential. It is so much easier to have a standoff, you get enough space to work your squeegee, the ladder is safer, plus you can work lower on the ladder - have the ladder go up to your chest when you are at the top instead of having to stand up higher on the ladder which is unsafe. As far as the stabilizers - they are awesome. The 28 foot werner ladder I just got came with them. I just did this job with all these stone steps going down the side of the house, there was no way I could have done that job without adjustable leg lengths. I have a 6 foot step ladder which works pretty good for most things inside. I would really like to get a 10 foot one also.
Mark, what’s a pivit tool, by the way?
