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Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985 wrote:

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When you say the trim of the roof do you mean the facia ?, yes the stablizer bars or arms what ever you want call them go on the roof shingles never the gutter

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Thanks Chris for the pictures, that clears it up for me. Like I mentioned before I fortunately have alawys been able to avoid going against gutters.

Yes, the trim I am referring too would be the (normally) aluminium around the roof edges.

Prime Choice Power Wash wrote:

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Roof Cleaning St Louis Missouri (636) 221 2582 wrote:

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I have on my trailer a 6, 16, and 25 (my mistake 24 ft) with adjustable legs. I always use a stabilizer to keep me off the gutters.

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Regarding stabilizers and gutters. I (fortunately) have yet to have had to put my ladders against any gutters, I always seem to find a spot elsewhere. The arms of my stabalizer are normally against the trim of the roof. When using with gutters do you have the arms against the gutter to distribute the weight or do you have the arms leaning against the actual roof. Reason I ask is because when my stabalizer arms are on the roof my ladder (to me) is at too low of an angle that I feel comfortable with.

Thanks for any input.

 

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I always put the stabilizer on the roof. Then I adjust the ladder to the right height and angle so it is safe to climb. Bill's advice about the prybar is also a good idea to use.

 

Thanks Mike, I was looking at them the other day, my 24's are a bit short, they usually 'just' get me there.

i have a 20' and a 24'. 80% of the time I use my 20' and so far I have get on top of the roofs with no issues...

this is from the window cleaning web site above;

Load Ratings:

The American National Standards Institute defines the load rating of each ladder and is found printed on a safety label located on every ladder's leg. The Type designation of each ladder is a rating of how much weight a single rung on the ladder can bear.

Type 3 (Use Household) is safety rated to hold up to 200 pounds
Type 2 (Use Commercial) is safety rated to hold up to 225 pounds
Type 1 (Use Industrial) is safety rated to hold up to 250 pounds
Type 1A (Use Industrial) is safety rated to hold up to 300 pounds
Type 1AA (Use Industrial) is safety rated to hold up to 375 pounds
Hope this helps you to make your dec.

I have a type 2 and type 1 - 28 footers.

I use the type 2 more, because of it's lighter weight. The type 1 is heavier but sturdier.

Chris, What kind of stablizers are those?

On the topic of ladder safety, I would like to share what we taught and enforced at BellSouth during my 30 years working there.
The most important thing regarding ladder safety is the proper angle. We taught the "Firemans Stance" only. It works this way, very quick and very safe.
Once the ladder is extended to the proper level and length, place your toes against the ladder rails at ground level. Extend your arms straight out while standing fully erect. You should be able to grasp the side rails comfortably. If arms are bent or you have to lean forward to do this, ladder is at incorrect angle. Move bottom in or out to adjust and re-check.

Hope this keeps everyone safe and productive.
Gary 

Yea, thanks for that tip Gary. 

Mostly I use 24' , 32' , 8' and sometimes a step.  If I have to pull out a 40' , not only does my price go up (assuming I've already tried every other safe option), but I always have my guys help with it.