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YovaniR · Guest

essential ladders?

Matthew · Guest

Not sure anyone else will agree but I like the Little Giant or Werner Multi positional ladders. They're heavy as hell and a bit pricey but to me they make life easier.

We use them for painting and roof cleaning. You can even make a scaffold out of them. The little giants come in just about any size.

Chesapeake · Guest

The 3 ladders that I keep on my truck are a 24'ext, 28'ext, and a 10' step ladder. I use the 24'ext most often. Having at least a 28' would probably be essential, but you have that covered with the 32'. If I was you, I would invest in a smaller extension ladder 20-24', just because its a lot easier to handle than the 32'and will probably be used more often. Make sure you invest in a stand off, to keep the ladder off the gutters.

YovaniR · Guest

i currently own a 20, 24, and 32 ft. extension ladder and also have two different size werner little giant knock offs. but like mathew mentioned they're heavy as hell. when i use them it's usually as a step ladder. i was thinking of purchasing a fiberglass step ladder but was'nt sure if it's even worth it, since i already have that werner little giant knock off. but hauling a regular step ladder would definately would make my day alot easier

Matthew · Guest

We do more 1 stories than anything else and I do keep a 16 ft fiberglass on the rack. But I like knowing the multipositional is there for those "odd" times I need something else.
I usually make the helper move it around, lol

Guest

Fiberglass is far too heavy to be moving all around a customer's house especially when they have a lot of expensive landscaping.

I currently have a 40', 28', 24', 20', 16', 10' step ladder and a Little Giant knock off. I keep the 28' and 16' on one truck and a 24' and 20' on the other truck. The 40' has been sitting in storage since I bought the 28'. I HATE using the 40'. It is sooooo heavy!

There are many homes around here that the 24' ladder is just a bit too short for. The 28' covers 99% of the homes I do. The 20' and 16' are for the single story homes.

All my ladders have standoffs. Never climb a ladder without a standoff! It is much less stable and it will bend the gutters causing water drainage problems for the customer.

Brian

YovaniR · Guest

thanks for your input guys. i just returned the 32 footer cuz it was just too heavy even with two people. especially with the stand off. had to exchange it for a 28 footer. this ladder is'nt as easy to manuever as the 20 footer but like Brian mentioned, it should cover most homes. so i would have to say the 28 ft extension is a essential ladder that should be in a roof cleaner's arsenal.

gutterdog · May 28, 2010

Without atleast a 32, I roll with the 40. The 32 in back yard. You are limiting yourself what you can do. No job is impossable to me. I got that 40.

On my truck I got the 40 26 and super light weight 24 and a medium sized little giant knock off. In back up I have a 32 and the large original little giant.

You should keep the 32.

gutterdog · May 29, 2010

Learn proper tecniques for raising the ladder if its heavy to ya. Charge extra for the ladder. I do.

YovaniR · Guest

gutterdog how many feet would you say 95% of the time are needed to reach an average 2 story home? how many times to do you need more than 28 feet let's say if you do 10 jobs? how many times you use the 40 footer out the year and how much was it?

YovaniR · Guest

just a couple questions if you don't mind gutterdog.

gutterdog · May 29, 2010

I dont use the 40 much. Out of 10 jobs 1 or 2 times. You dont want to loose work because you dont have it. It is heavy. I let a guy go because he thought he could move the 40 by himself vertically. I was at the truck and heard a loud bang as it hit the ground. Thank God it didnt hit a window! 32 and 40s are a 2 man job to raise and lower safely and with control.

PaulS · May 29, 2010

I've used my 'Little Giant' on most every job. Also the 24' extension. I've carried a 6' fiberglass step and have hardly used it because the little giant takes it's place. I'm looking to add a 32' extension.

Chesapeake · Guest

I've got a 40'. In the 9 years I've been cleaning the exterior of homes and buildings, I've never used it. I use the 32' a couple times a year. I agree with the 28' being the essential ladder. There are alot of times the 24' just won't reach, but I use it the most.

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 · May 29, 2010

Most jobs can be done with a 28' for a 2 story or 10' for a single story.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 on Tuesday 1st of June 2010 10:48:43 PM

YovaniR · Guest

gutterdog i don't think you would actually lose a job if a 32 foot ladder or bigger was needed in order to do any job. if you really need a bigger size ladder you can just rent one. i havent really done roof cleaning for long, and just wanted to get some input on how much do you actually use the bigger size ladders. hopefully the 28 will be enough for a while.

gutterdog · May 30, 2010

There have been times that my 24 couldve, shouldve been just a couple feet longer and pulled the 40. Yea get a 28! Heck I have been thinking on gettin one. a 28 alot lighter than the 40. Glad I have one for gettin on them roofs!

YovaniR · Guest

i bet that 40 footer gives the customer the impression that you mean business huh. biggrin

guest

YovaniR wrote:

i currently operate a cleaning service company who cleans windows and wanna also clean roofs as a add on. just recently purchased a 32 ft. extension ladder and have a couple other sizes. just wanted to ask you specialized roof cleaners, what ladders would you say are essential for roof cleaning? thanks for your time.

I have all sorted sizes 40 ft which I generally break in half and use with a roof hook, 32 ft, 24 ft, 16 ft, and 8, 6, 4, ft step ladders. you gotta have the tools.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"