Brandon Whitmore Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 They sure could have put the lower sloped roof on the other side of this house for me. It looks like it's going to be an interesting one. Jim's bucket truck idea may be the ticket. Click to Enlarge 56.11 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 I'd go from the second floor deck behind the tree with my shorter gorilla. Of course, you'll need someone on the house side of your ladder holding onto it 'cuz you're going to be near vertical. OT - OF!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 A few years ago, I would have balanced a Telesteps on the front-porch roof and shimmied up. I realize it sounds crazy, but I've done it a gazillion times without incident. My knees, however, aren't what they once were . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted July 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 I'd go from the second floor deck behind the tree with my shorter gorilla. Of course, you'll need someone on the house side of your ladder holding onto it 'cuz you're going to be near vertical. Wow, I'm starting to wonder if I am blind-- that deck/ balcony may work out well. Question: Do I trust my telesteps on something like this? hmmmmm A few years ago, I would have balanced a Telesteps on the front-porch roof and shimmied up. I realize it sounds crazy, but I've done it a gazillion times without incident. I've done that a few times, but am starting to shy away from it. I used to just haul my extension ladder up behind me and do the chinese fire drill. If I was 100%, I'd just go up the steep end by holding onto the rake, but that not happenin' this week. I feel more comfortable doing that than balancing on a ridge. I could always call the fire dept. and see if they want to do me a favor, uh, I mean fire drill. [:-slaphap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Warning: Thread drift. But I was rereading a favorite book last night in which a short piece sorta describes how nutty Mike, Brandon and I are, but also why clinging to a rake, ascending a vertical ladder, and teetering atop a porch roof really aren't such bad things. Download Attachment: DSC00001.JPG 801.68 KB Download Attachment: DSC00002.JPG 828.41 KB Both photos copyright "the lives and times of archy and mehitabel," by Don Marquis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Morrison Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Two pieces of advice I follow without exception: 1. Never trust anyone who eschews capitalization. 2. Never climb anything you're unsure of on a home inspection. It's just not worth the risk. Jim Morrison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Cougar Paws. I carry a couple 18' nylon web straps and buckles; I use them to cinch ladders to solid structure when I'm losing the angle of the dangle. I'd take a small LG and go off that little deck like Mike; no problemo if there's any place to put the ladder. I've done the telesteps off the front porch roof dance a thousand times, but honestly, it's stoopid. I used to feel it was just fine, now I think it's insane. What about e.e. cummings? Or Garcia-Marquez?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 A few years ago, I would have balanced a Telesteps on the front-porch roof and shimmied up. I realize it sounds crazy, but I've done it a gazillion times without incident. My knees, however, aren't what they once were . . . I did exactly that this past Sunday with my gorilla ladder but I'd never attempt it with one of those flimsy telestep things. It's bad enough having the darned 300 pound rated gorilla ladder bending under my weight. I can't even imagine what it would be like on one of those things. My knees too are shot. I'm wearing those things that weight lifters wear on both knees now when I'm on the job. They provide a lot of support and make walking much easier but jeez, are those uncomfortable in this heat! ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Moore Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 I don't see any posts under that balcony so I doubt it is very deep, and I suspect that with the extended roof section there you might actually be beyond vertical. I'd do the porch roof. I feel quite safe when I can get the legs of the ladder straddling the ridge, and it looks like you would then be stepping on and off the low slope section of the main roof. It would be nice if that tall window opens so you don't have to haul the ladder up there. Of course, I don't have a bum foot. What happened there Brandon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted July 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Of course, I don't have a bum foot. What happened there Brandon? My foot tried to take out the butt end of a log while riding. My leg (mostly ankle) lost the battle, turned a 180 to check out what had hit it, and the rest of me and the bike continued onward. My buddies keep joking that they are going to buy my soon to be son one of the clear bubbles, since he will most likely end up like me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 I'd straddle the porch roof with the LG17 and zip up to the low slope side. Not a fan of Telesteps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 That house belongs on the Remuddling page of Old House Journal. Ane what's up with the deck at the font left that extends almost the street sidewalk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Morrison Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 ee cummings is the poet who made me hate those 'All-Lower-Casers'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mthomas1 Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 Piece O' Cake with a 32' ladder and step-through safety bars.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 ee cummings is the poet who made me hate those 'All-Lower-Casers'. i agree. one of the most overrated poets of the twentieth century. i never trusted his work. the poetry enclaves. slavering over the artistically obtuse statement. very emperor's new clothes-ish....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 i re-cammed a 908 in a 20 ton roller once it truly was obtuse. wait, what's that you say? never mind then, i thought you said cummins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 funny where these posts drift off to sometimes[:-thumbu] Piece O' Cake with a 32' ladder and step-through safety bars.... I am unaware of any inspector in this area who carries a 32' ladder. My 24' extension ladder is typically all that I need. I'm not sure that I want to carry a 32' ladder with me; at times it would make my job safer. Then again, it would make me do more foolish things that much further from the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynesoper Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Bring a real ladder. Or disclaim that you were not prepared for something you should have been prepared for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 ...............you were not prepared for something you should have been prepared for. Yeah.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Bring a real ladder. Or disclaim that you were not prepared for something you should have been prepared for. I consider a 32' ladder a 2 man ladder-- some may not. Anyone in OR bring a ladder this large to an inspection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Bring a real ladder. Or disclaim that you were not prepared for something you should have been prepared for. I consider a 32' ladder a 2 man ladder-- some may not. Anyone in OR bring a ladder this large to an inspection? I have one and I'll bring it if I know in advance that I'll need it. Sometimes, if I use it on a job, I'll leave it on the rack for a few days just because I'm too lazy to take it off. It's really not a big chore to use. In the bad old days, I used to use a 40 footer. That was freakin' bear. - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted July 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Sometimes, if I use it on a job, I'll leave it on the rack for a few days just because I'm too lazy to take it off. It's really not a big chore to use. Alright, it sounds like it's time for me to pick up a larger ladder and see how it feels. Tell ya the truth, I can't remember the last time I even picked one of those things up. I remember them being fairly heavy..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Bring a real ladder. Or disclaim that you were not prepared for something you should have been prepared for. I can just imagine what myself or Richard would look like tooling down the street with 32' ladders on top of our rigs. So, what do you do when the roof is too high to reach with your 32' ladder? Do you say, "Sorry, I wasn't prepared. I didn't realize that it was 40' to the eaves of this house?" ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randynavarro Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 Thirty two foot aluminum is manageable. Thierty two foot fiberglass gets a bit heavy, even for a stud like myself. Are we talking aluminum or fiberglass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted July 30, 2009 Report Share Posted July 30, 2009 So, what do you do when the roof is too high to reach with your 32' ladder? Do you say, "Sorry, I wasn't prepared. I didn't realize that it was 40' to the eaves of this house?" Mike I say...... "You see, I carry a 32' ladder everywhere because that's the largest ladder I can handle by myself. This roof needs a 40' ladder, which I can't handle by myself. No one else in this business carries an extension ladder, let alone a 40' extension ladder. I tried as hard as anyone could to be prepared. The only way to know the condition of the roof is for me to get up there. I need to come back with a 40' ladder and a helper. I charge extra for that. Give me the names of the people to call so I can schedule my return visit". Or something roughly similar to that. It happens a couple times a year; no one has ever grouched about the extra cost. If they ever do, I'll figure out what to say at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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