Placing an extendable ladder at the right angle is essential for working safely on the walls or roof of your home. If it is too steep, the ladder may tip backwards. Tilt it excessively and it could bend or the feet of the ladder could slide backwards. In this article, we will show you the correct way to place a ladder.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Basic Technique
Step 1. Angle the ladder correctly by creating a right angle with your body as shown in the photo
Step 2. Make sure that the feet of the ladder are firm and cannot slide backwards
If the ground is soft, pull up the foot of the ladder so that the spurs sink into the ground. On smooth surfaces, screw in a cleat.
Step 3. Make sure the top of the ladder is resting on a flat surface and does not slip or wobble when you put weight on it
Step 4. As you climb up the ladder, grab the rungs one by one, never leaving one without first grabbing the other
Running your hands along the sides of the ladder isn't safe because you wouldn't have as firm a grip as grabbing the steps.
Method 2 of 2: Additional Precautions
Step 1. Use extra accessories to help stabilize the top of the ladder
Rubber or plastic "gloves" that cover the upper part of the two sides of the ladder serve to prevent it from slipping, as well as preventing damage or scratches on the supporting wall. You can also purchase stabilizers for your ladder. The rubber pads grip almost any surface to prevent the top from sliding sideways and help distribute the load to prevent damage to delicate surfaces such as aluminum or vinyl. The stabilizers also accommodate window openings and help keep the ladder away from the building to allow you to work on gutters and ledges.
Step 2. Level the feet of the ladder
Be careful because even if the ladder is angled correctly, it can still tip sideways if the feet are not level with each other and placed on solid ground. It is not prudent to insert a board under one of the feet of the ladder to level it. Instead, create a small hole under the highest foot. A hammer pen is perfectly suited for this purpose.
Step 3. Finished
Make sure you are wearing a suitable pair of shoes; sandals are not a good idea.
Advice
- Before climbing a ladder, which is on the ground floor, jump over the first step several times to plant it firmly in the ground.
- If you are leaning the ladder against an attic or eaves, tie the ladder to a socket on the roof, hook it to the eaves with bungee cord, or tie it to 2 x 4 screws screwed to the ledge. Otherwise, the wind may cause the ladder to fall.
Warnings
- Move the ladder instead of leaning to its sides. This requires you to get off and on again and you will waste more time; however, remember that most of the time someone falls off a ladder they do so because they are leaning too far.
- A fully extended staircase is unbalanced at the top. Lower it before moving it or you may not be able to hold it, especially if it is windy.
