Anyone have any really good tips on using ladders for roof access. Sure I read the manufacturers labels and try to follow them as close as possible. Has anyone developed some type of stable base for using the ladder where it isnt practical to put it on concrete. The slope of some of these new roofs is making me much more cautious in how I get on and off the roof. Getting off is always the scary part. Having done it a zillion times, it still makes me think every time I do it.

When I set the ladder on soil, I give the lower rung a few hard kicks to set it into the ground. If it doesn't feel firm, I try another location. That's my tried and true method.

#1 - Do not go cheap when buying a ladder. You need a GOOD STURDY STABLE ladder. (I use two Little Giant ladders. They are great.)

One thing I have started doing, especially when accessing a high roof, is tying off the top of the ladder to a gutter spike with a shock cord. That stabilizes the top of the ladder making stepping off and on the ladder much safer.

__________________
"Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
Bruce Breedlove
www.avaloninspection.com

I havent been tieing off the ladder to gutters. Good idea though.

As far as good ladders, Consumer Reports did an article a year or so ago on them. The Gorilla ladders (Home Depot) got good publicity.


One thing I always try to do is make sure I carry a cell phone should there be any problems.

I own, and use, all of these products, as required:

1) The best leg height adjusters I've tired:

Levelok Quick Connect Leveler System, Safe your Ladder

2) Through ladder roof access:

Surprisingly light, I can use these on a 32' aluminum ladder at full extension single-handed if there is not too much wind. Lets you step through the handrails and onto the roof. I use this on both flat and pitched roofs if I can secure the ladder to the gutter or eave:

Guardian #10800 Safe-T Ladder Extension System

3) Ladder stabilizers:

I use this when I can't get a good tie-off to the edge of a pitched roof. Heavier (max 24' ladder for me, single handed). Very stable laterally, but you do have to step around ladder. Works best on roofs 3/12 and steeper.

Ladder Stabilizer Roof Placement

Considerably lighter version of same concept, does not fit some "D" ring ladders. Better for "stand-off" than roof access:

OPEN RUNG LADDER STANDOUT STABILIZER

Please note: I do not use any of these to access more hazardous roofs than I used to, I use them from safer access to the same roofs I used to walk without them.

I've probably got around $800 in "ladder accessories", but once I had this kit I really regretted that I had not put it together sooner.

Sure.

You just can't buy them in North America:

Ankalad Ladder Stabilisers
Mills Ltd - cable management and specialist tooling for the communications industry
Mills Ltd - cable management and specialist tooling for the communications industry

Europe is light-years ahead of the US in personal safety equipment.

No. Do not put you ladder feet on concrete. Always try to put the ladder on soil if at all possible. Make sure it is not leaning-- shim the footing platform is you have to.

I want three runs above the edge. I have the last step 4-5 inches below the gutter and tie it of with a bungie to the gutter spike.

Not tie-ing off the ladder at a spike and placing the base of the ladder on concerete or pavers is asking for a ride in the ambulance followed by someone waiting on you hand and foot for a bout a month(minimum).

RR

__________________
"If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?"
Richard Rushing, HCRI
Duncanville, Tx.

If I have to set me ladder up on a deck, I try to make sure it is perpendicular to the deck boards. I will then place a screwdriver between deck boards at the bottom of the ladder to prevent kickouts.

I also have a 4' 2x4 with a couple long screws. I will screw this down on the deck to prevent kickout. I am careful to place the screws between deck boards and into the joists. Most of the time there is enough clear space to do this, but even if there isn't, I'm only marring a small part of an edge.

The guy that used to work for me had leg levelers and I keep meaning to get a pair, but haven't needed them enough.

I have to admit that I don't tie my ladder off.

What I find the most un-nerving is when I have to hoist my ladder up on a garage roof to get to the upper roof. I straddle the ridge. Just don't like that much, but there again, it doesn't come up much.
JF

I do the same thing.... it's not bad doing the actual straddle of the ridge, it's pulling it down and re-placing it to get off the lower tier that sucks....

I'll go from roof to roof (other things being equal) if my Xtend&Climb will get me to the second. If I have to haul a conventional extension ladder up there, then the second roof is "above and beyond" my inspection standards. OTOH, I will haul the X&C up the 32' ladder to set up on roof uphill of a chimney to get a look at the cap and flue.

I do the same thing but what I find is the drip edge on the secondary roof gets bent up. I have not damaged the shingles too much but still I would like to access the roof without having to lean the ladder up against the edge like that. So does anyone know how to get around that?

__________________
Principles don't change with circumstances. That's what makes them principles.
-George Colombo

LadderMax on Xtend&Climb:

Attached Images

MaxXC.jpg (81.4 KB, 184 views)

My SoP's only require we carry a 12 foot ladder and my Worker's Comp insurance is priced on that fact. So, that's all we use... At times it's a limiation. It's never burned us too bad. It's hard for the state mediators/arbitrators to blame us for following the rules they set.

As a side note.... I was recently on a composite deck on a hot day and just about became a statistic. It's amazing how little resistance to slippage that plastic surface provides. What's even more amazing is how fast I can come down a ladder as it's slipping out from under me

My Xtend and Climb gets me on most roofs in my area. The 15' LG in the truck is rarely used. I would not climb to a second story roof even if I had the right ladder. I've known three inspectors who have fallen from second story roofs trying to impress the client. Two died.

Erol Kartal
Pro Inspect

I found myself on a second story roof with a substantial slope this week. When I got up there I was scared as heck and had a hard time getting down without slipping. I almost sat down and slid down the roof just to get down. Probably one of the dumbest things I have ever done at an inspection and not something I plan to repeat.

__________________
Principles don't change with circumstances. That's what makes them principles.
-George Colombo

LMAO

Vince, that's something we've all done. Doesen't make it any better that it happened to you. But, man... I know the feeling.

The getting up is the (rather) easy part... it's the gravity-- she's a beeiitch.

rr

__________________
"If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?"
Richard Rushing, HCRI
Duncanville, Tx.

Oops... I realize I mis-spoke.... my SoP's don't address the ladder height.... the 12-foot thing is in my contract. I just know I don't have any 32 foot ladders

My most effective and safest ladder is a 25 power brass spyglass.

Here in the North roofs are most commonly way to steep (12/12) to climb on without roof hooks and other stuff beyond the scope of an inspection.

But when I do climb a ladder for the roof or anything else I rely on my Little Giant (the commercial version, not the homeowner version). With my 300 pounds and 6'4" frame I need something tough and it fits the bill. ALso nicely stable on the climb down which is the part I like best.

A good article on Ladder Safety was just republished in this months ASHI Reporter magazine, it was first published back in June of 2003. Due to all of the ladder accidents that have happened over he past couple of years this should be required reading for everyone.

This is a link for the archived June 2003 article, the current issue can only be accessed if you belong to ASHI.
An Ounce of Prevention: Ladder Safety | ASHI Reporter

__________________
Scott Patterson
Spring Hill, TN
http://www.traceinspections.com