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Safe Painting On Ladders

painting exterior on ladders

Some homeowners want to paint their home’s exterior, but the thought of working on ladders is enough to make them cringe, and they end up putting it off or hiring a professional. Painting at heights can be a daunting task, and it is a good idea to leave this job to a professional painter, or at least let them take care of the high soffits and roof areas.

This can be hazardous work and requires skill using ladders and sometimes even a harness system, as well as steady nerves. But if you are set to tackle this project on your own, there are important guidelines one should know to be successful and not end up on a stretcher! This article will discuss the methods of safe and effective exterior painting on ladders, so that you can paint your two- or even three-story home on your own.

The first step is to obtain the right equipment. This means a tradesman and fully functional ladder. Don’t borrow just any old ladder; you need it to function properly. Ladders are rated which indicate their durability in increasing order.

Grade-3 ladders are homeowner grade, and they can be quite narrow and are not advisable if working higher than 20 feet off the ground. Grade 1A ladders are very rigid, but the downside is that they are heavier, which can cause safety issues when moving the ladder. In most cases, you want grade 2 for painting; they are robust, rated at 225 pounds, and will also be light enough to maneuver safely.

You can rent ladders if necessary; you’ll need a 28′ or longer for many two-story homes to reach the second-story soffits, and third-story areas will require a 32′ or a 40′ ladder. It is usually more cost effective to buy a ladder or two, since you won’t be rushed this way, and you are saving lots of money anyway by doing this job yourself. For lower areas, you want a shorter ladder. Some of the most versatile are called “3-way” ladders, which can be set up as an A-frame, or a small extension ladder, which makes reaching various first story house extremities easier.

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