[buzzing]

I was recommended the ladders at Wicks. Is there any recommendation for height.  Better to get a 3 metre closed than 3.5 metres.   5 metre or 6 metre?  Necessary to get one which reaches the gutters above first floor windows or settle for just reaching first floor windows?

[Jakey boy]

I love the b&q diy ladders, they last for ever, we've had ours for 8 years, still going strong, they are very light and rigid, there's plenty of sizes, I think we have the 3.4m closed ones, not sure, but they reach gutter Height...

Just checked and yes it's the 6.1m ladder, closed length is 3.4m

[Ian101]

I used titans ... very comfortable ... I went for a set of double 3.0m when trad first starting out and these were great for 100% of my window work. ............... just bought a set of triple 3.5m for gutter work ... very sturdy and weigh a lot more than the doubles 

if I was going for 1 set then titan double 3.5m

[Walter Mitty]

I have used 2 x 3.5 metres.
However, this may not be quite enough for gutters on those tall Victorian type houses.
Unlike an earlier poster, I found the B & Q DIY ladders to be non-durable.  This may be due to my body weight though as they have something like a 15 stone limit I believe.

[Ian Lancaster]

I would never use anything other than ladders specifically designed for the job, such as these:

http://www.ramsayladders.co.uk/item/12/14/0/Window-Cleaning-Ladders_Window-Cleaning---DWC.html

The splay foot gives much greater stability and the pointed top allows the ladder to be set firmly in almost all situations where a parallel ladder would 'rock'.

The original version of these was manufactured by Shaftesbury Ladders and was designed in consultation with experienced traditional window cleaners way back in the early 20th century.  This design has never been bettered.

[Jakey boy]

I have used 2 x 3.5 metres.
However, this may not be quite enough for gutters on those tall Victorian type houses.
Unlike an earlier poster, I found the B & Q DIY ladders to be non-durable.  This may be due to my body weight though as they have something like a 15 stone limit I believe.

Intersting, there are 6 window cleaners I know who all use b q ladders, never had a problem, and as said last for years and years, maybe we are a bit lighter! For the price we think they are very good, they reach gutters easily and are really rigid...

[Smurf]

For roofline work i.e clearing gutters & unblocking downspouts etc when I need to use ladders I use this set up.

Right tools for the job and all that but I would not want to cart them about for window cleaning that's for sure as are heavy as fook  

[Smudger]

Any ladders you buy need to be rated for the work you are carrying out
They need to be en131 and for trade use. Class 1 - heavy duty and in daily use  class 2 - trade - for light use ( once / twice a week ) anything else domestic use only, and you will not be insured.

Darran

[Smurf]

That is if your are insured in the first place 

Any ladders you buy need to be rated for the work you are carrying out
They need to be en131 and for trade use. Class 1 - heavy duty and in daily use  class 2 - trade - for light use ( once / twice a week ) anything else domestic use only, and you will not be insured.

Darran

[Smudger]

How true.... 

Darran

[cgh window cleaning]

I would never use anything other than ladders specifically designed for the job, such as these:

http://www.ramsayladders.co.uk/item/12/14/0/Window-Cleaning-Ladders_Window-Cleaning---DWC.html

The splay foot gives much greater stability and the pointed top allows the ladder to be set firmly in almost all situations where a parallel ladder would 'rock'.

The original version of these was manufactured by Shaftesbury Ladders and was designed in consultation with experienced traditional window cleaners way back in the early 20th century.  This design has never been bettered.

Could not agree more.once you have used an a frame ladder you won't want to use anything else.
The point enables you to get higher up the window and place on the corners of bays avoiding over reach.
Look at Ramsey ladders or midland ladders.

[deeege]

Have just ordered some Titan 3m double trade from Browns ladders for the second van. Great ladders and perfectly good enough for the 2 or 3 times a week they will get used.

[buzzing]

In know the ramsey A frame is better for just window cleaning, but I am planning on using wfp so occasionally doing scraping windows before wfp, sometimes cleaning gutters and also for other jobs like tree and hedge pruning so I guess get a 3.4 metre closed 6 metre one Wickes or B and q one for general use would be the answer?   

[Rob@Blast off]

Midland ladders do a 3.5 Titan with safety feet for £120 delivered, surely your life is worth the extra....

[Sean Dyer]

I would never use anything other than ladders specifically designed for the job, such as these:

http://www.ramsayladders.co.uk/item/12/14/0/Window-Cleaning-Ladders_Window-Cleaning---DWC.html

The splay foot gives much greater stability and the pointed top allows the ladder to be set firmly in almost all situations where a parallel ladder would 'rock'.

The original version of these was manufactured by Shaftesbury Ladders and was designed in consultation with experienced traditional window cleaners way back in the early 20th century.  This design has never been bettered.

Could not agree more.once you have used an a frame ladder you won't want to use anything else.
The point enables you to get higher up the window and place on the corners of bays avoiding over reach.
Look at Ramsey ladders or midland ladders.

Im sure its just because i havent used one but the thought of only one point of contact uptop would really lower my confidence

[KS Cleaning]

Any ladders you buy need to be rated for the work you are carrying out
They need to be en131 and for trade use. Class 1 - heavy duty and in daily use  class 2 - trade - for light use ( once / twice a week ) anything else domestic use only, and you will not be insured.

Darran

Correct. This subject came up a while ago, I see it has fallen on deaf ears as Jakey is still giving out bad advice in recommending the use of DIY ladders, by all means work with ladders not fit for purpose yourself, but please don't advise others to do likewise.

[Smurf]

There is nothing wrong with diy ladders if you are a diy window cleaner  

[Plankton]

I would recommend these.
http://www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk/acatalog/Combination-Ladders.html
The rungs are narrower than the homebase types, but they're too flimsy if you have any weight about you.

[Smurf]

That's what I use bps 12 rung triple combi as normal ladders for roofline work etc when I need to use ladders.

I would recommend these.
http://www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk/acatalog/Combination-Ladders.html
The rungs are narrower than the homebase types, but they're too flimsy if you have any weight about you.

[Plankton]

That's what I use bps 12 rung triple combi as normal ladders for roofline work etc when I need to use ladders.

I would recommend these.
http://www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk/acatalog/Combination-Ladders.html
The rungs are narrower than the homebase types, but they're too flimsy if you have any weight about you.

what's your ladder fixed to at ground level. Looking to do the same.