[Service_Champion]

Hi everyone what size ladders do you recommend. I am just starting up and want to reach the first floor of houses (including fascias and guttering) and also clean shop windows. Is it worth getting an 'A' frame?

Regards.

Stewart
Service Champions -Total Cleaning Solutions

[shinnyshinner]

Hi mate
I have just up graded all my ladders to A-Frame and best money I have spent so much safer no reaching  the rubber stop at the point enables you to rest on plastic with out marking I got mine from Lansford
www.ladders999.co.uk
look for the heavy duty alloy, double 21ft and have no probs at all

[shinnyshinner]

Here is the exact link
http://www.ladders-999.co.uk/ladders_windclean.htm

look for code number:
RWC235 3.55m / 11' 8" 6.58m / 21' 7" 14+13 17.5kg  £279.65

[Stooby]

"A" frame ladders every time for window cleaners. Wooden for my preferance, being heavier they move less if you are hit by a gust of wind. Also if you have to rest the frame against a window ledge or guttering, aluminium frames provide less friction and so slide easier. Finally in the winter, my wet hands have frozen to an aluminium ladder as soon as I touched it.
Yes, wooden ladders every time for me.

Regards Stooby

[STEVE71163]

I am with Stooby on this. I find wooden a frame ladders make me feel a bit safer and they are warmer in the winter.

Steve Lowe

[STEVE71163]

Sorry forgot to say for average houses a double 12ft or equivalent will do most domestic jobs fine.

Steve Lowe

[shinnyshinner]

When I brought mine I went for the heavy duty alloy for the extra weight but with the frost coming I have ordered my unger gloves 1st time ever to wear gloves must be getting old like you lot lads. hahaha. Sorry
The only thing to worry me is with my last ladders they had no rudder feet so managed to dig into the ground never went any were on dirt, concrete, tarmac I am concerned about when it gets frosty and the ice with rubber feet. There was a post quite a while ago and my dad mentioned it to, using a sand bag got to get prepaired not long to this sort of weather
Alan

[Rob_B]

I wouldn't facy carrying a sandbag around with me when I've already got a ladder on my shoulder and a bucket and step in my hand.

However, I have been looking at something called The Stopper (link below) has anyone got one or experience of one?

http://www.scrimcity.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_70&products_id=233

[matt]

get a bag of sand, put it in a old army rucksack, slig that on your back, still got your hands free  

[shinnyshinner]

Hi rob
I was looking at the stopper a while ago, and was told they are not really long enough for A-frames because A-Frames spray out at the bottom making the stopper not long enough, also I dont think I would trust the stopper in icey weather, would'nt it sit on top of the ice and not grip?
I agree you cant carry a sand bag around with you if you are always on foot but was refering from an old post and a few people have used this idea.
Winter is the time off the year where you have to look into different types of saftey while using ladders.
See what we come up with
Cheers Alan

[DR_WYNDAZ]

BEEN CLEANING FOR WEEKS NOW BUT STILL WARY OF MY LADDERS (FALLING ON ME ED ) GOT EVERYDAY ALUMINIUM LADDERS. I GET THE JOB DONE OK AND IN GOOD TIME. WHEN WILL THE CONFIDANCE COME?

[STEVE71163]

Hi
  If you get the chance try an a frame extension ladder and i would bet that you would feel a whole lot safer.

Steve Lowe

[Squeaky_Clean]

Hi
I use 2.5m 3 section, I take the top section off and just use 2 sections on big new estates, easier  & lighter to carry, but also got the extra height if needed, also having just 2.5m you can use them on those downstairs windows that are just out of reach with out going back to the van for the pointer. Just got a new pair cost £110 inc vat.
Hope thats some help.

[DR_WYNDAZ]

cheers guys. i'm hopin to earn enough to get a reach and wash system as theres loads of commercial work going in leeds and i just cant reach it with ladders. until then i dont fancy pinchin the cloth everytime i go up me ladders. think i'll give the a frames a go. heights not the problem. its stability i want.

[STEVE71163]

I think you will feel much safer on an A frame because they dont slide around at the top on pvc frames.

Steve Lowe

[The_Fed_Man]

Dr Wyndaz,

I would add try an 8 foot single pointer (around £100)first to get used to the A ladders, before you go higher.  I know some very good window cleaners who don't like extension A ladders but prefer normal extension ladders.
Get Class 2 Trade aluminium, they are worth the little bit extra and will last a lot longer than domestic ones, which are not legal for putting employees on anyway.

A good setup is: 8 foot pointer, double 3.5m Lyte ladder for residential, ladder regs now say best practice is no higher than 9 meters, which rules out 3rd floor, so if you want to undertake 2nd floor work use a stabiliser to be within Health & Safety regs, along with a double 4.25m entension, or triple 3.5m

A good accessory for your main ladder is a set of leg levellers.

Be safe!

[DR_WYNDAZ]

Thanks for the advice guys. really appreciated.