Window Cleaning Ladder Basics
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If you are afraid of heights, then window cleaning may be the job for you! There is no better solution to overcome your concern with heights then being up on a ladder every day. Unfortunately window cleaning does demand ladder work, even though you clean windows with a water fed pole. Though it can be worse, you could be a higher rise window cleaner scaling down several stories with ropes or cranes. Unless you clean single story only, you can find yourself on a ladder ultimately.
For the average residential window cleaner there are a few basic size ladders to consider and some ways of maneuvering those ladders that can save you hard work. I clean two story homes and on occasion three story. So I will be directing my comments for window cleaners who intend to go at the very least two and perhaps three stories.
There are many size ladders on the market. Personally, i own a sixteen foot and a twenty four foot ladder, plus a step ladder. When I first started window cleaning I owned a twenty eight foot ladder, that is as large when i would recommend for a single person. Anything over 28 should be handled by two people. A twenty eight is not light to maneuver with and use, but it will certainly build muscle. The twenty eight is necessary should you be considering three stories and will really be pushing the limits for the 3rd story.
The 24 foot is perfect in the event that you only intend to clean two stories, and you may rarely find any challenges for reaching second story windows. The 24 is also about twenty five pounds lighter than the twenty eight. I love how light the twenty four is, but sometimes I wish I still had a 28 for all those tough windows that are just a little too much, taking me out of my comfort zone to clean them. When you are new to windows I recommend getting the twenty eight even though it is heavier. You do not want your twenty four fully extended with you standing on the most notable two rungs reaching for the top of the window attempting to clean, squeegee and detail the window on a hot windy day. Discuss scary, it's scary enough with the right size ladder when you initially begin, just reaching for the washing wand and squeegee not wanting to let go of the ladder.
Now the reason why I don't have the twenty four and a 28 is my rack only holds two ladders and I also own a sixteen foot ladder. This ladder is indeed light it's like heaven once you only have to utilize it. I wield it around with one arm. The sixteen is the ladder you'll take inside the home most of the time for all those vaulted ceilings with second story windows. Although, sometimes you have to take in the 24, that is better then consuming a twenty eight. Also the sixteen is sometimes the ideal size on certain situations on the outside, where the 24 is to tall.
The last ladder may be the step ladder that is 3 to 4 feet tall. That is handy unless you use the pole a whole lot. I love to be right up on the window where I could see everything on the window, that way I don't miss any spots and it's also a shorter distance for possible dripping in the home. I believe the pole method is faster however once you have it down.
In read more of the larger ladders there's something you'll want and that is ladder levelers. Ladder levelers permits you to set the ladder up on uneven terrain. You'll get about a supplementary foot or so to utilize. You can buy ladder levelers and attach them to the ladder or buy a ladder using them already built in. I don't think the built-in ones are as nice or work as well. I also choose the ones which have round feet at the bottom instead of the square kind. Since we have been talking accessories additionally you need it ladder mitts for the tops and that means you don't scratch up the walls.
When it come to maneuvering the ladder there's one very important technique that I learned. After you have your ladder up right, don't take it back down if you don't have too! When you move the ladder to the next window, move it upright. The best way to do this would be to pull the ladder from the wall so it's directly and down. Then stand up against the side of the ladder with it in front of you. Next place your strong arm directly with out a full extension but close to fully extended and grab the nearest rung. Grab together with your other hand the nearest rung that's about waist high. Now with an excellent grip push directly in the air which means that your strong arm is fully extended and lock your arm. Use your lower arm to greatly help hold and balance the ladder. You may also use your body contrary to the ladder to greatly help balance it. Now simply walk with your ladder to the next window.
This straight arm technique can save you time and energy. Be sure you look at your path above you and before you before you lift the ladder and begin walking. You do not want to hit trees, a satellite dish, the home or anything for that matter. This may cause the ladder to fall over and destroy property, thus ruining your day! I recommend practicing with the sixteen first.
For the average residential window cleaner there are a few basic size ladders to consider and some ways of maneuvering those ladders that can save you hard work. I clean two story homes and on occasion three story. So I will be directing my comments for window cleaners who intend to go at the very least two and perhaps three stories.
There are many size ladders on the market. Personally, i own a sixteen foot and a twenty four foot ladder, plus a step ladder. When I first started window cleaning I owned a twenty eight foot ladder, that is as large when i would recommend for a single person. Anything over 28 should be handled by two people. A twenty eight is not light to maneuver with and use, but it will certainly build muscle. The twenty eight is necessary should you be considering three stories and will really be pushing the limits for the 3rd story.
The 24 foot is perfect in the event that you only intend to clean two stories, and you may rarely find any challenges for reaching second story windows. The 24 is also about twenty five pounds lighter than the twenty eight. I love how light the twenty four is, but sometimes I wish I still had a 28 for all those tough windows that are just a little too much, taking me out of my comfort zone to clean them. When you are new to windows I recommend getting the twenty eight even though it is heavier. You do not want your twenty four fully extended with you standing on the most notable two rungs reaching for the top of the window attempting to clean, squeegee and detail the window on a hot windy day. Discuss scary, it's scary enough with the right size ladder when you initially begin, just reaching for the washing wand and squeegee not wanting to let go of the ladder.
Now the reason why I don't have the twenty four and a 28 is my rack only holds two ladders and I also own a sixteen foot ladder. This ladder is indeed light it's like heaven once you only have to utilize it. I wield it around with one arm. The sixteen is the ladder you'll take inside the home most of the time for all those vaulted ceilings with second story windows. Although, sometimes you have to take in the 24, that is better then consuming a twenty eight. Also the sixteen is sometimes the ideal size on certain situations on the outside, where the 24 is to tall.
The last ladder may be the step ladder that is 3 to 4 feet tall. That is handy unless you use the pole a whole lot. I love to be right up on the window where I could see everything on the window, that way I don't miss any spots and it's also a shorter distance for possible dripping in the home. I believe the pole method is faster however once you have it down.
In read more of the larger ladders there's something you'll want and that is ladder levelers. Ladder levelers permits you to set the ladder up on uneven terrain. You'll get about a supplementary foot or so to utilize. You can buy ladder levelers and attach them to the ladder or buy a ladder using them already built in. I don't think the built-in ones are as nice or work as well. I also choose the ones which have round feet at the bottom instead of the square kind. Since we have been talking accessories additionally you need it ladder mitts for the tops and that means you don't scratch up the walls.
When it come to maneuvering the ladder there's one very important technique that I learned. After you have your ladder up right, don't take it back down if you don't have too! When you move the ladder to the next window, move it upright. The best way to do this would be to pull the ladder from the wall so it's directly and down. Then stand up against the side of the ladder with it in front of you. Next place your strong arm directly with out a full extension but close to fully extended and grab the nearest rung. Grab together with your other hand the nearest rung that's about waist high. Now with an excellent grip push directly in the air which means that your strong arm is fully extended and lock your arm. Use your lower arm to greatly help hold and balance the ladder. You may also use your body contrary to the ladder to greatly help balance it. Now simply walk with your ladder to the next window.
This straight arm technique can save you time and energy. Be sure you look at your path above you and before you before you lift the ladder and begin walking. You do not want to hit trees, a satellite dish, the home or anything for that matter. This may cause the ladder to fall over and destroy property, thus ruining your day! I recommend practicing with the sixteen first.
