Securing ladder in use - some sort of loop screwed into wall
Discussion
You know the fear - you're up a ladder and can't shake the feeling that the ladder's feet might skate away from the wall. Is there a product you can buy that you drill into the wall, and tie to the lower part of the ladder to prevent this?
I was thinking something like screw-in eye hooks but after fitting, I'll have to leave them in place, whereas my office has bolt fixings permanently fitted to the walls where you can un-bolt the actual eyes to leave a flush finish. Any idea what they would be called?.. or is there a better solution?
There are parts of my house that will get annual "ladder" checks so I can clean the solar panels, remove the pigeons' nests, and clear the gutters.
I was thinking something like screw-in eye hooks but after fitting, I'll have to leave them in place, whereas my office has bolt fixings permanently fitted to the walls where you can un-bolt the actual eyes to leave a flush finish. Any idea what they would be called?.. or is there a better solution?
There are parts of my house that will get annual "ladder" checks so I can clean the solar panels, remove the pigeons' nests, and clear the gutters.
Or use a rope anchor that climbers drill into the rock face, such as a Petzle Coeur stainless bolt/hanger. Then use a buckle strap to pull the ladder tight into the wall, it wont be going anywhere.
Drill a hole in the wall and hammer the anchor in, and tighten with a spanner. Have a few of them at strategic points and just leave them in the wall.
Drill a hole in the wall and hammer the anchor in, and tighten with a spanner. Have a few of them at strategic points and just leave them in the wall.
The Gauge said:
Or use a rope anchor that climbers drill into the rock face, such as a Petzle Coeur stainless bolt/hanger. Then use a buckle strap to pull the ladder tight into the wall, it wont be going anywhere.
Drill a hole in the wall and hammer the anchor in, and tighten with a spanner. Have a few of them at strategic points and just leave them in the wall.
I didn't really want to leave them in the wall but having seen a few (now I know what to look for) I think you're right. I've ordered some.Drill a hole in the wall and hammer the anchor in, and tighten with a spanner. Have a few of them at strategic points and just leave them in the wall.
Thanks.
Strangely Brown said:
Here ya go...
I'm quite comfortable at heights but I draw the line at vertical ladders. That man is a legend. The confidence he had in climbing up vertical ladders is quite incredible.Remember John Noakes climbing up Nelson's Column too? I recall he went up in flared jeans and climbed an overhang. Terrifying.
I used to climb up a 2-stage ladder to attach Christmas lights to a conifer-type of tree in my parents' garden. As the tree was way taller than the ladder I would step off the ladder into the tree itself, from where I'd climb up another 6-8 metres. I could see clearly over the ridge of their roof and the tree swayed a bit. I never felt unsafe though because I had my arms around the trunk, however I was very aware of my situation. Not sure I'd do it now though - I'm in my 50s and although I'm still fit, I don't feel immortal like I may have done as a younger man.
This job I have now though... I am only working at roof height - not stepping off the ladder at all. I already have a standoff for the top of the ladder and a platform to stand on up there which stops the rung digging into your feet if you're standing there for a little while, as I will be. I know someone with a harness, so I'll borrow that too.
Douglas Quaid said:
If you’re worried the ladder will slip backwards, put a bag of sand at the bottom. Cheap and effective.
Sideways is the bigger concern. Fixing the bottom is easy, not a bag of sand but tie it to the wall. Things get tricky as you climb up the ladder and the laws of physics come into play.There's a reason Sky TV doesn't want to look after that old dish on your roof...
Panamax said:
I'm sure there's a raft of Health & Safety regulations - let them be your guide.
The Working at Height Regs are actually very non-prescriptive, like much H&S legislation. It's more about your planning and choice of equipment, training, and maintenance that would be under scrutiny, should something 'sub-optimal' happen.If you are DIY'ing then you have a much wider choice (in effect) but as soon as A.N.Other is involved things can get tasty.
Confidence is probably your best tool, and that comes from having a really stable ladder and knowing if you slip you're not plunging onto the fence below.
I've screwed a couple of staple eye plates to the facia at the roof height. Will secure at the bottom as well if I can. First climb up, secure the top with a cam buckle strap from the ladder to the eye plate. If I'm going to be on the rear of the roof, I'll use a cable lock instead of the strap to stop anyone stealing or moving the ladders.
Would something like a Tetra ladder system work?
https://www.millsltd.com/default/tetra-leaning-lad...
This system can use existing anchor points, or you can drill and suitably fix a couple of eyelets in the wall whilst standing on terra firma.
Used by Sky/BT/Openreach etc...
https://www.millsltd.com/default/tetra-leaning-lad...
This system can use existing anchor points, or you can drill and suitably fix a couple of eyelets in the wall whilst standing on terra firma.
Used by Sky/BT/Openreach etc...
Strangely Brown said:
Here ya go...
Without watching it all again, is that the one where he says the "higher up you go the deeper the holes get", (for plugging to hold the bar that attaches to the rung via rope).Then he says, "it's called fear".
Worked on and used ladders to access scaffolds up to about 10 lifts high since I was 16 but that man had balls of steal.
Wooden pole ladders to boot, rickety things they were.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff