Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

ladder size

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I have 20' 32' and a 36" all Alum. I just got a new 24 fiberglass from a Homeowner for a $100. I would do a 32' just to be covered, but its good to have them all to cover every job.

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I just switched out my 32 fiberglass for the aluminum....much better.....If you want I'll sell you my 32 fiberglass for 100 ...but I'd buy the aluminum you can carry it yourself without a struggle.

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Pat how old is your 32?

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I agree with Pat, aluminum is much lighter than fiberglass. if your worried about electrical lines ther are a few options...

1: BE CAREFULL AND AWARE!
2: I use heavy duty rubber mats to sit the feet on for no slip and non-conductibility reasons
3:tie back to a stake so base of ladder doesn't slip out
4: ladder stand offs, stabilizers are a must.
5: OSHA requires a min of 3 feet of rungs over peak so you don't have to bend over to get onto ladder which other wise is very dangerous.

I have a huge arsenal of ladders from 3ft to 40ft, tripods and "crazy" ladders. but all you need for roof cleaning depends on your jobs, just dont sell a job if you don't have the right equipment for it.

Go aluminum

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

The difference between aluminum and fiberglass is 7 lbs on a 32ft! That's it. Ive been selling jobs for years without owning the equipment. sell the job- then by the equipment. Maverick not sure what you meant by that? My question is how often do you clean a roof where the 28' won't make it? I always knew I would get a longer ladder just didn't need it untill now.

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

Like Maverick our ladder inventory includes whatever I need to complete the job. Over the years I've accumulated all aluminum ladders. Our tallest is a 40'. Just last week a customer gave us a 24' Werner ladder as a tip. Perfect condition and it retails for $189.00.

Most of the time the truck has a 32', 24' and a small 16' extension ladder on it. We also have three ladder stand offs on the truck.

Hank

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

so it's safe to say most of you guys skip the 28 and carry the 32' . That's what I'll do. Thanks for the replies

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

what i meant erik is just make sure you have the resources to do the job.

recently I had some one under bid a job by a lot,but it meant using the right, specific articulating boom lift that would fit into all needed areas, marking out weak lawn areas like drywells, irrigation lines, tree lines and power wires.

in all, I got the job because I covered all bases.
It really sucks getting to a job only to find you dont have the right equipment or materials.
Esp. when your employees eff'd up on the details.

7lbs doesnt seem like a lot, but when having to lift it the leverage factor can multiply it by a lot

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Skip the 28 and do the 32

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Got a good deal on a used 32' from pat - we even went around and stole all of Arts bandit signs! Haha jk Maverick it seems we have some newcomers on the island and they apparently don't have business experience. They'll either go out of business in a year or be forced to learn how to charge correctly to pay costs of running a business.

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I carry the 32,24 and 16 all aluminum. I got a 40' fiberglass in the yard used once last year making it a total of three times in six years. Met Erik today from dirty roof....Nice truck wrap! Erik is a cool guy { even though he's in my area! } We talked a bit, I made fun of Art and I hit on some chicks walking by...got two numbers...Erik will back me up on that. Hope we all do well this year and maybe next year we introduce erik to the "Jersy Boy's" and of course Hank!

ReNew Roof and Exterior cleaning · Exterior Cleaner

I use fiberglass only, I dont want to have the worry about getting electrocuted (even though Im safe and always aware) of where the electrical lines are. I have a 16', 26' and a 32'. I like the 32' because I feel more stable when Im at the roof line compared to the 26'. I do use standoffs.

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

Patrick G wrote:
I carry the 32,24 and 16 all aluminum. I got a 40' fiberglass in the yard used once last year making it a total of three times in six years. Met Erik today from dirty roof....Nice truck wrap! Erik is a cool guy { even though he's in my area! } We talked a bit, I made fun of Art and I hit on some chicks walking by...got two numbers...Erik will back me up on that. Hope we all do well this year and maybe next year we introduce erik to the "Jersy Boy's" and of course Hank!

Pat, Art and Erik,

When I make the road trip to Queens I can meet up with all of you.

Hank

Jeff Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

You guys swinging those 32' around yourself?? More power to ya. Those are the days I find a helper. Must be showing my age. I can get it from the rig to the house, but raising it and positioning it is where I'm now having trouble.

Andy Hinson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I use a 28 and have for years. Just this week it was time to replace it. Debated on 32 but have made many $$$ with a 28 and it fits nicely in the box truck. I went with fiberglass this time.

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Jeff the 32 aluminum I can carry and place by myself...the 32 fiberglass is to draining. I can't belive it's only 7lbs heavier.........

AC Lockyer · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I use a 8' Step Ladder, 24' Extension and a 40' Extension on my trucks. All aluminum.

Thanks,

AC

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We carry all aluminum that get rinsed at least once a day. We carry a 16', 20', 24 & 36'. We work around hills and mountains. There are so many two story homes that are 2 1/2 or 3 stories in the back. I will never buy fiberglass. We also have two sections of old ladders, different lenghts that have been taken apart and all the parts removed for the ladder hook.

I bought the three section 16' a few years ago. It has been a good choice for those odd places where longer ladders are a pain. It does well for porches and from the porch roof to the roof above.

DirtyRoofcom · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Keep in mind the aluminum is rated for 50lbs less

DETAILS
Ladder Rating Type 1A - 300 lbs. Product Weight (lb.) 71.5 lb
Load weight capacity 300 lb. Returnable 90-Day
Material Fiberglass Step rise (in.) 12
Nonslip tread 32 Weather Resistant Yes
Number of Steps 32

Details Ladder Rating Type 1 - 250 lbs. Product Weight (lb.) 63.5 lb
Load weight capacity 250 lb. Returnable 90-Day
Material Aluminum Step rise (in.) 12
Nonslip tread 32 Weather Resistant Yes
Number of Steps 32

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Keep in mind Erik that OSHA LBS ratings are usually 1/2 if not more of what the true max wieght is and also the angle of the ladder.
OSHA rules are 1:4 ratio, that is for every 1 ft outward you can go up 4 ft with 3 ft over peak so your guys do not need to bend down to safely get on ladder

The greater the angle, the more wieght to put on ladder and you can crack the fiberglass or aluminumn slide railings. the steeper the angle, the more wieght gets transfrered straight to ground e:g the 1:4 ratio

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