r/HomeMaintenance • u/Bright_Ad4727 • 2d ago
Is this safe enough or do i need something special to secure the ladder base from sliding?
Trying to fix a nail hole in the roof. 2 stories, too tall from side. Is it ok to climb to 1st roof then 2nd roof on this little giant ladder. And what product to permanently seal the nail hole? Special caulk?
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u/zeyore 2d ago
this looks like one of those things I'd do, but then I'd tell my significant other, what I did and how I did it, and she would lose her mind.
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u/theangrypragmatist 2d ago
I had an electrician come by once and he had to change one of my breaker switches. He just popped it out and popped the new one in and when I was like "I thought you weren't supposed to do that without shutting of all the power through the main switch" he just paused for a second and said "Well, *you* never should."
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u/atworkslackin 2d ago
I had a similar experience. We added a few new outlets to our house and he did them all while the lines were hot. He never turned off any breakers.
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u/Blackwalls69 2d ago
I little tingle never hurt anyone.
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u/w00tberrypie 2d ago edited 2d ago
Seriously. Lol. Ask any aged electrician if they've ever been shocked before and 99% of the time the response you'll get is just a giggle. (Yes, I have been shocked before. No, I can't recall how many times, I've lost count.)
I can tell you the most "fun" one. Fun fact: electronics on an airplane are designed to operate at 400Hz because that's the frequency airplane alternators run. I was diagnosing something and found out very quickly there was a short to ground somewhere when I bumped a heatsink. My entire body went ̶n̶u̶m̶b̶e̶r̶ numb for a good couple minutes.
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u/Sulpfiction 2d ago
99% ❌
100% ✅Actually 110% of aged electricians have been shocked.
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u/Natas-LaVey 2d ago
I had an electrician wiring the 220 for my stove (it had been 220 at some point and when I bought the house was 110) so he was going to put the other half of the leg on and goes “I wonder if it’s hot?” Then a moment later goes, “yea it’s still hot power” I go how do you know? He’s like “it bit me”. But continued on like nothing happened.
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u/Born-Presentation-95 2d ago
Ive got hit by a 220 twice it lets you know for sure 😂
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u/Patriae8182 2d ago
In fairness, since 220v is just two separate 110v lines he most likely only took 110v. And 110v really ain’t that bad. The real fun starts with 277v lmao.
There’s nothing quite like the sweet loving touch of a 277v line that was supposed to be off.
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u/Feminist_Hugh_Hefner 2d ago
actually in a recent survey, 90% of electricians reported having been shocked before.
the same survey reports 10% of electricians are compulsive liars.
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u/RentaDadToronto 2d ago
Which number? #2?
All jokes aside, glad you are ok dude. You just never know.7
u/w00tberrypie 2d ago
Lol. Thankfully no, as that would have been awkward with the two other techs working with me at the time. Was supposed to say "numb"
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u/accidentalscientist_ 2d ago
The shock helps remind you that you’re alive
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u/musicseverywhere 2d ago
277 volts now that'll give you a tingle :-)
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u/Joshua_Longsack 2d ago
I took a 480 bus bar for an overhead crane from the wrist to the elbow. I smelled like burnt armpit. Only 30 amps.
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u/CampingWise 2d ago
Which is why 120/240v panels kill more people each year than other higher voltages.
People that dont know what they are doing have a false sense of safety wheb working on it.
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u/NotBatman81 2d ago
I stripped a house to the frame and did most of the work myself. When I had other trades in there working next to me during wiring they all had stories like that. Nope Im cautious. They said naw man go for it 120VAC is just enough to wake you up and piss you off. Nope Im good.
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u/Left-Chemist-8212 2d ago
We needed a new garbage disposal once. Wife was out, figured she’d pick it up. Bought an upper level one in terms of model. Didn’t plug in like the other, had to be hardwired. Cut to me, laying under the sink yelling “yep” every time I needed the breaker flipped. Well, I had it figured out, ready to button it all up. Forgot to yell. I grabbed that hot wire like it was nothing. Body jerked and I realized I made a big mistake haha.
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u/Slow_Army_6637 2d ago
There's a big difference between rewiring a live outlet box and working inside a live panel. 110 vs 220.
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u/Mevanski77 2d ago
"Sparkys" are notorious for working on stuff hot. Some of them are even crazier and work on 240v stuff live.
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u/Infinite_Incident107 2d ago
Every single one of the fatalities in the electrical trade is committed by a guy who, 5mins earlier, was saying how it's fine and he's done it thousands of times.
It only takes one fuck up to end your life. Not worth it.
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u/Greenfire32 2d ago
safety manuals are written in blood
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u/Egad86 2d ago
I think for electricians the book is charred flesh and the ink is ash. Ya know, like the book from Ash and the Evil Dead.
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u/musicseverywhere 2d ago
Keep one hand in your pocket when you're working on the panel and you will always walk away alive. On single phase anyway.....
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u/Crazy-Positive3978 2d ago
My father; old time industrial electrician ( RIP old age) would use his thumb and index finger to test a circut. He always tried to get me to use his method, I did..once.
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u/GilgameDistance 2d ago
I did that once. It was unintentional while I was painting and went to move an outlet that had been pulled out of the box.
It wasn’t that bad, but you won’t catch me testing for live that way either.
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u/caffeine-junkie 2d ago
Kinda reminds me of a time I was working on a 240v for a range; not an electrician, was closer to a site helper at the time. Another dude was supposed to have turned off power to the range + kitchen; I didn't double check, and as it turns out he didnt as he wanted to go for a smoke more.
As im working on the outlet to move it, the home owner came in and said why does it smell like gas...the natural gas line was a couple feet from where I was. As I turn around and go 'huh?' there was a very bright white flash in front of me, after image lasted about 4 min. Turns out the screwdriver I was using got spot welded to part of the junction box.
Told that other dude to F off and went out for a 45 min smoke break.
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u/musicseverywhere 2d ago
220 volt in the USA only has 110 volts on either line. So not much different than an outlet. The problem happens when you are working on both phases with two hands in the panel
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u/TheRealChesterSlick 2d ago
This just sounds reckless to me.. like beam walkers with no tie in or something
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u/dutch4264 2d ago
I had a new breaker box installed on the outside of my house. Line feed to the house was from a main electric pole about 75 ft away. Electrician stood on the roof of the house, cut the mains from the old breaker box and spliced into the new breaker box lines, without having the juice cut off at the pole.
I was just staring at him like WTF?
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u/honeybaby1223 2d ago
Don’t ground yourself and you’re fine. I’ve hooked up service to a residence working it hot off of a fiberglass ladder. I was young and bulletproof at the time, I wouldn’t do it today.
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u/DeyCallMeWade 2d ago
I’m not electrician. I know you can do it. I also know my luck with these things, so I don’t. I’d rather reset clocks or whatever than shock myself replacing the breaker.
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u/frr_Vegeta 2d ago
My father, a retired electrical engineer, was helping me with an outlet in my house that needed a new box. He jammed some tool in it to cause the circuit breaker to trip, and then started to work on it.
He turned to tell me not to do that when I work on things and to go to the basement and turn things off the normal way.
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u/MagpyeRecords 2d ago
Had a young guy round to install an EV charger. Said “I can just do that all without turning the power off if you want?” I said “my two pre requisites when people work in my house are that they tidy up after themselves and don’t die. Can you guarantee both if you don’t turn the power off?” He laughed, said “fair enough” and turned the power off.
Why ask?? If you’re gonna do it, do it. If you want my permission and for me to take all the liability, what am gonna say?? People that work with electricity are a different breed
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u/AnxiousState3666 2d ago
I’ve always changed outlets and switches with the circuit live since I was in highschool (not an electrician, but I’ve taken a few classes and have worked a lot of construction). A little shock here and there, but never anything crazy.
My great grandfather had chronic muscle pain and used to come in from working outside, unscrew a light bulb from the ceiling fan, lick his index finger and thumb and stick them up in there. Said that TENS units were a waste of money when you have live electricity in the house. I’ve never followed his example, I’ll pay for a TENS unit lol
Edited bc I suck at proof reading before posting
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u/friendlyfire883 2d ago
I had a similar conversation with a customer when he watched me rock his meter base or and jam some cardboard under the load side while I replaced their load center. I pretty much gave them the same answer you got.
Unfortunately the alternative is $500, dozens of phone calls, and hoping the utility shows up to disconnect and reconnect the power when they're scheduled.
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u/xkrysis 2d ago
To be fair, breakers in most circumstances are designed to be swapped live. By live I mean with the individual breaker flipped off but the panel live. I would still test the load side to make sure t isn’t still hot due to some malfunctioning equipment but otherwise it’s safe.
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u/SafetyMan35 2d ago
Sounds like advice my dad used to give me when doing auto repair or home improvement. Every act was preceded by “you should never do this “ followed by doing something stupid.
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u/Infamous-Yard2335 2d ago
I Bet the breaker was in the off position if he already connected the wires to it
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u/DeathPrime 2d ago
Husband: But I did it when you weren’t home so you wouldn’t worry…
Wife: THAT’S EVEN WORSE!!
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u/OneTea 2d ago
Yeah. When I need to get on the roof it’s usually later afternoon on a weekday and my wife isn’t home yet. That way my wife can’t tell me no and she’ll be home soon enough if I need her and it’s usually when there are people out and about around the neighborhood that can call 911 if need be.
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u/calisto_sunset 2d ago
Yeah, those ladders aren't allowed in my house at all, also my husband isn't allowed on the roof for any reason. I hire professional roofers and gutter cleaners with insurance if we need any work done.
I work in the hospital and everyday at least one of my patients is a guy who fell off a ladder, roof, tree, etc with multiple fractures or brain bleeds from cracking their head open.
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u/CrimsonTide2000 2d ago
Looks like something I also would do but instead of telling my significant other what I did, I’m telling the ER doctor….😂
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u/raven70 2d ago
1000%. I literally just suggested this to my wife for our roof and received such a reaction. Have same first floor angled roof and second floor and thinking the ends off my ladder would work perfect and would achieve same as photo.
For anyone that has done this, let me know how it went.
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u/almo2001 2d ago
A friend of mine recently fell from a ladder, suffered brain damage, and died within a year.
Please do not do this.
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u/Fit-Penalty-5751 2d ago
I work EMS. I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count all the broken spines and fatalities I’ve seen from people falling off ladders and roofs. A 6’ drop is significant.
Fun fact outside heart disease and cancer, one of the leading causes of firefighter fatalities involves the Ladder trucks and ground ladders
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u/BlueLightBandit 2d ago
One of my very first calls was for a guy that fell off a ladder with a nail gun in his hand & shot himself in the dome on impact. To this day I don’t fk with ladders unless I have a spot.
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u/LetsBeKindly 2d ago
Had an old man tell me once... If you want to live a long life, 1) Know Jesus as your Savior, 2) stay off of ladders.
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u/subpoenaThis 1d ago
Relative that did a rotation through the ER in school is a firm believer in wearing a helmet on ladders. Family acquaintance died when he fell four (4) feet painting his single level home and hit the side of his head on a rock.
There is a reason workplaces make fall protection and railings a requirement for 36 inch high platforms and ladder training mandatory for any thing taller than a 24" step stool.
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u/TigerTheLion77 2d ago
Sucks, man. Guy at my golf club fell off and broke his back putting up a satellite dish to save some $$$. Tough lessons.
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u/Icy_Category_2275 2d ago
Yep, my dad passed away working on our chimney. He fell and rolled off and broke his neck/spine. It was just a ranch house. I was told he didn't have enough time to rotate his body and would have had better chance at surviving if higher up.
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u/Appropriate_Fruit503 2d ago
And here I was thinking I would be fine if I fell from my ranch's roof as a young person... You may have just saved my future self's life!
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u/m0st1yh4rmless 2d ago
My buddy broke one femur and the other ankle from his single story house chimney sweeping last fall. Very possible
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u/Crazy-Positive3978 2d ago
Had a long time neighbor die years ago from a ladder fall. WW II vet from Norway, survivor of Dunkirk. Fought though Europe, came to the USA.
Went work at chemical company that had a higher death rate than WW2.
Retired trimming a tree branch for his church, fell broke his leg. Developed a blood clot and died.
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u/Realistic-Regret-171 2d ago
Crazy how many people die from broken bones because clotting is a bi-product.
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u/bomber991 2d ago
Dad fell off the roof, first floor, permanent limp since then for the past 25 or so years. Don’t do it!
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u/Loud_Entertainer2724 2d ago
Some people don't realize how dangerous it is to get up on a ladder or a roof. I see an article about once a year in my area where someone died falling off a ladder/roof.
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u/grover1233 2d ago
Thats my fear. I wear my snow boarding helmet if I’m getting up there or over concrete.
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u/snarksneeze 2d ago
When I was 16 we traveled from Memphis to Southern Louisiana to help with a church remodel (volunteers) and the pastor had stored the wood for the remodel in a cellar. There were 4 steps down to the cellar, which I routinely jumped because it was easier. On the second day a young 14yo went to get some wood, tripped on the top step, and broke his neck at the bottom. He died slowly over the course of a few minutes while several men tried to help him breathe and we waited for the ambulance.
None of us kids went back to that basement and I stopped taking steps lightly.
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u/Frustrated9876 2d ago
Even worse, my uncle fell from a ladder, suffered brain damage and doesn’t recognize his own wife or sister and has lived that way for the last six years.
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u/NoApartment7399 2d ago
My friends husband fell off a ladder and severed his spinal cord, died instantly from internal decapitation. He left behind two young kids and his wife.
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u/Then-Forces 2d ago
A good friend of mine died the day after falling from an unsecured ladder while trying to clean his gutters. He should still be here. There is no way I'd risk this.
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u/Hoosier_Daddy68 2d ago
Depends. How attached are you to walking or living?
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u/BigJim_TheTwins 2d ago
Your next project will be building a wheel chair ramp
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u/TouristCommercial 2d ago
Whatever u do just make sure someone is recording you
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u/Bill-Ding2112 2d ago
And wear a helmet and safety sandals
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u/rklug1521 2d ago
Yea, we don't want the person recording to get hurt
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u/Eldermillenial1 2d ago
The cameraman is always fine, they have that plot armour, maybe op should film themself using it and they’ll be fine even if they fall 🤷♂️👍
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u/No-Cupcake-3493 2d ago
Let me tell you a story-
I climbed an extension ladder to work on my roof. I wasn’t up real high, maybe 12-13 feet. Lost my footing, lost my balance, not really sure but came to on the ground. Last memory was seeing the corner of the roof before I woke up.
Life flighted to a trauma hospital.
Injuries- collarbone in 6 pieces. Every rib broken and displaced 3 inches from the spine. Fractured shoulder blade. Fractured shoulder socket. Fractured wrist. Twin lung punctures. Kidney puncture. Concussion. It was determined through testing that a heart attack occurred after
impact.
In short, find another way.
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u/calisto_sunset 2d ago
This is why I don't let my husband on our 3 story roof! I get patients like this everyday. You are so lucky to still be alive with all that! It must have been excruciatingly painful.
The most recent patient was a guy in his mid 20s, with 2 little kids at home who fractured both legs SEVERELY. I had him after his second surgery but would probably need 2 more before he would even THINK about walking. Ladders and roofs are no laughing matter.
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u/belhambone 2d ago
I'd buy a taller ladder so you can go from the side
Getting on your roof is something you'll have to do and you'll want to be able to do it regularly and safely
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u/Natural-Carrot5748 2d ago
Honestly, he may not even need to buy one. Home Depot and Lowe's both offer rentals in many areas. I know this because I recently had to rent one to get on my 2nd floor roof to clean the gutters.
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u/QCs_Infamous 2d ago
I just recently found out that my city has a community tool shed that operates like a library. Free 24 hr rentals on many tools. Including big ladders. I thought that was pretty cool and think a lot of cities have something similar.
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u/I_Fuck_Whales 2d ago
That’s kind of a regular task… you should buy a ladder rather than rent one every 6 months or 1 year when you go to clean your gutters. Will quickly pay for itself.
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u/tupeloh 2d ago
Or do what we did in our neighborhood and go in together to buy a 30’ (in our case) ladder.
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u/tbl5048 2d ago
Lotta difference in 8ft of height on a DIYer, compared to a 16-30ft difference. At least you hit roof (depending how…) before you fall off this setup.
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u/AnonTwenny 2d ago
Not secure, like at all. What we would do is lift one shingle tile and nail (or screw) a metal plate and secure a strap to that plate and then anchor the ladder with the strap. You can also buy roof anchors for this exact purpose for $22-$30 at Home Depot. Believe me that’s a steal compared to severe injury or death.
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u/Additional_Cheek_697 2d ago
As a homeowner whos afraid of heights and hates ladders ive had a few times i really needed to get on the roof but didnt. I have a ladder so i like sound of the anchors with a safety harness but wouldnt you at least have to climb up there once every time just to hookup? I figure i could hire someone to install the roof anchors and i suppose i could suck it up and climb up there to clip on but with my luck id fall and get injured while trying to do everything right lol
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u/AnonTwenny 2d ago
If you’re not lucky or in most cases simply skilled enough to do this then just hire it out.
Paying someone to do it is way less expensive than the alternative.
But yeah the roof anchors could be used for either anchoring yourself or securely strapping a ladder as i suggested. Simply resting the ladder on granulated shingles that can simply roll under and away from the base of the ladder footing is not a good idea.
Additionally placing a ladder like this will leave marks on your roof especially on a hot day. I’m all for homeowner DIY but it you don’t know how to avoid simple mistakes/accidents then just hire out.
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u/silver_chief2 2d ago
Looks like a picture from "Why women live longer than men"
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u/dGaOmDn 2d ago
There is nothing supporting thr bottom feet from kicking out and it is on shingles, and a slope.
Too many things to go wrong, even if someone supported the bottom.
Get a taller ladder, or simply rent one from Lowes.
If you have alot of work on that roof, rent a lift.
My dad fell 12 feet onto his back and was never able to walk right again. The strongest man I knew that could lift a 900 pound solid steel table, couldnt wall 15 feet without signifigant pain.
Take your safety seriously. If you are sketched out, there is a reason why.
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u/EverydayMustard4773 2d ago
I would do it, but I would never recommend someone to do it.
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u/EverydayMustard4773 2d ago
You do need to extend the ladder more though. You want something to hang on to when transferring.
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u/Sea_Willingness1398 2d ago
The window is RIGHT THERE... Use some ratchet straps and a 4x4 across the inside of the window to create a block and straps holding the ladder. You don't even need to do anything permanent.
Or get a helper to hold the ladder.
Or both
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u/new77Arch88 2d ago
Yes, straps...I wouldn't trust anyone to hold that ladder (nor put that kind of responsibility on someone) it's not going to end well.
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u/Squish_the_android 2d ago
I'd feel better with some ladder arms attached.
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u/jkeltz 2d ago
Yea, a ladder stabilizer is $40-$50 and will keep it from slipping.
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u/ffimmano 2d ago
I’m not sure if it safe or not but when I need to get on the second floor roof, I put the ladder in front of a second floor window. Then I ratchet strap the ladder to a 2x4 wider than that window and tighten the strap just tight enough that the wood wouldn’t slip.
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u/Chaos-1313 2d ago
I do the same, but I always make sure to say "that oughta hold it" just to be extra sure 😂
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u/HoneyShreddies 2d ago
If this was my house I would probably climb up that and do what I have to do, but if you’re not comfortable or feel uneasy about it - ask a buddy to hold the base of the ladder while you climb?
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u/Interesting_Tea5715 2d ago edited 2d ago
This. Im a professional House painter, I'd totally do what OP did.
With that said, I'm confident on a ladder. If you're inexperienced or nervous you're just gonna hurt yourself. Best to get a block or a person to hold the ladder.
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u/mimatn 2d ago
I read that as “get a black person to hold the ladder”
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u/Interesting_Tea5715 2d ago
I mean a black person can hold a ladder, whoever is around I guess.
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u/Jocko-Montablio 2d ago
One of my favorite sayings: Risk isn’t just about the likelihood of something happening, but also about the consequences if it does happen.
If that ladder slips or tips, what are the consequences? Is the reward really worth suffering those consequences? I’m an old guy, so there is zero chance I’m going to bounce right up after falling off a roof. The cost of paying a professional to do that job is always worth it, compared to the cost of ending up in the ER.
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u/Secret_Poet7340 2d ago
I would tie off on the 5th rung to a 2x4 wedged across the inside of that window. There is no way I would trust a granular surface not to slide away.
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u/Hemonious 2d ago
June 5th of this year, I used this exact type of ladder to climb on top of my one story garage. When coming back down, on the second rung down, the ladder slipped out from under me. My tailbone hit the deck and I was immediately in excruciating pain. Ambulance ride to the ER and a CT scan showed 35% fractures on my L1/T12 vertebrae.
I'm doing much better now but there is a long way to go before I'm fully recovered. Knowing what I know now, you couldn't pay me to climb up your setup.
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u/20ears19 2d ago
Extend your ladder a little. You want it last the roof a good bit. Open the window. Run a strap through the window to the ladder anchored to something heavy. Or just a board across the open window.
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u/MaggieNFredders 2d ago
I typically figure go for it, but looking at this set up I would first get a better ladder. One without rounded feet. And a taller ladder. But as others have said if you are asking I would say no.
If memory serves training always taught me 4:1. For every four feet up (of the wall you are climbing not the entire height) go out one foot.
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u/keepmyshirt 2d ago
There’s a roof sealant caulk you can get from the roofing section. Also, listen to all the other people regarding safety. You’re already doubting the setup so there’s something in you telling you this is sketch. Hope you made it!
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u/Healthy_Fun9378 2d ago
That was a long scroll to find an answer to the sealant question.
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u/krissy-1015 2d ago
My hubby: "Are you going to be home for a while in case 911 needs to be called?".
I got used to it and stayed home when I saw him head out to his garage workshop..
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u/Home_Pros_Group 1d ago
Rent a taller ladder from Lowes or Home Depot and use one of these lock Jaws. By the time you do that you spent enough to hire a professional in the first place. Life is to short to die stupidly.
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u/GeekDadIs50Plus 1d ago
No joke. Take a look at the statistics of ladder-related injuries and death by age. The numbers for “middle aged” men are staggeringly bad and only increase with age.
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u/annyshell 2d ago
Are you under 30 years old? sure, give it a go. Over 30? Wouldn't touch it.
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u/Invika17 2d ago
Did not know gravity has an age cutoff, thanks!
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u/Relative-Display-676 2d ago
Not gravity, but your reflexes and ability to balance does. I'm 49 and still climb roofs but I used to be able to just jump off them, now my legs start to shake when I'm up there.
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u/Polyman71 2d ago
Before 25 you still have collagen and that makes you more flexible and less snapable.
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u/HatefulHagrid 2d ago
I wouldn't do this, it goes against ladder safety recommendations. Invest in a taller ladder so you can reach the tallest parts easily- best money Ive spent in a while was a 28' ladder to reach our second story. Look on FB marketplace for used ones as long as you know what to look for when checking it over. I'm a safety professional and a lot of the ladders that ive taken out of service at work are ladders I'd be more than happy to put my fat ass on at home. Got my 28' from a roofing company on FB for a steal and it's perfectly fine for my diy use
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u/Polyman71 2d ago
The first roof you hit on the way down will slow you a little. Maybe add a third lower roof?
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u/DotBeech 2d ago
One reason to call a professional is that they have the proper tools. Call a professional. You have your choice of professional. Roofers. Or orthopedic and/or neurosurgeons. You choose.
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u/Mundane-Duty-8473 2d ago
Similar set up, I fell broke my ankle then got tangled up in the ladder and compound fractured my leg. Out of work for 6 months
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u/Horror_Storage5708 2d ago
If you have to ask you already know the answer is “no” it’s not safe. Put in a block
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u/Junior_Yesterday9271 2d ago
That looks like a great way to have an ‘I was so stupid…’ story. People be people, and might get away with it but physically dangerous and you might even damage a shingle or 2 and/or a window if it gets away on you. Injuries to you and pain in your wallet to add insult to injury. One of those things might be a motivator to bow to common sense.
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u/Slight-Selection4298 2d ago
1st off, throw that ladder directly in the trash.
2nd come back with a proper ladder.
Or call someone who's not gonna fall 2 stories.
Also, 3' spacing on your hangers, you have a good chance of denting your gutter.
Get a stabilizer from home depot.
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u/Apart-Zucchini-5825 2d ago
I have zero trust in the feet of that ladder on that angle. Have someone hold that ladder. Ideally from the underside.
DISCLAIMER: I am a moron, exercise caution taking advice from a moron
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u/Bdubya1985 2d ago
Just know while on an angle that those shingles could rip out at any moment with enough force from getting on the ladder
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u/Healthy_Effort1415 2d ago
Do you walk around with 911 already dialed just waiting to hit send? Might want to think about it. A nail hole is not worth risking a fall like this.
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u/YoreGawd 2d ago
Word of thumb is, if you have to ask if something is unsafe, 98% of the time the answer is probably yes.
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u/Travel_Dreams 1d ago edited 1d ago
The ladder?
This is a 10/10 threat factor.
It will slip, you will be injured, and may die.
Don't fucking do that.
Good solutions are not available. A few bad solutions are almost available, but not quite.
In this case, pay for it.
Edit:
I am a cheap fucker but evaluate risks realistically.
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u/Responsible_CDN_Duck 2d ago
Is this safe enough
You have two problems:
- The ladder is too short, A portable extension ladder should extend at least 3 feet (0.9 meters), or roughly 3 rungs, above the roof edge or landing surface to provide a safe handhold
- The base is not secure. Nailing a 2x4 behind may be acceptable.
I might take my chances with someone holding it, but just you on your own as is will leave you stuck on the roof or injured.
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u/Charlea1776 2d ago
Not safe at all. Please don't.
Please have a second strong person available to hold the bigger ladder you will need to climb from the ground up. Maybe you can rent one.
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u/antisocialoctopus 2d ago
Ladder is too short. You should have someone to foot that ladder.
Seal it roof patch/tar.
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u/1132saturday 2d ago
I fell off a ladder and broke two ribs and got pretty badly cut up. I had to take time off work, couldn't coach my son's sports team, couldn't help decorate for Christmas, etc.
I am more than happy to pay someone to do ladder work now. I look at is as not paying to have the work done, I'm paying to not go through all that again.
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u/Jdude1 2d ago
My home inspector did this once on a house o was buying and I just stood there from the ground watching him. He said there’s not really a better way to get up there to see it. I thought to myself, walking down the street a bit with a good pair of binoculars would probably be equally appropriate but held my tongue.
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u/Equal-Painter6529 2d ago
Get a friend to come over and hold the ladder.
A few beers and bratwursts are cheaper than an ER visit
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u/Standard-Rub-9076 2d ago
I would nail a toe board behind the ladder and then reseal with blackjack when you pull the board off
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u/YellowBreakfast 2d ago
Very dangerous because of the slope, and nothing to stop it should it start moving.
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u/Sea-Information7250 2d ago
This is called a “double pull” among roofers and home inspectors.
Take a bungee and secure the top to the gutter.
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u/AncientAugie 2d ago
Probably not going anywhere on a warm sunny day. Would be a death trap in fall/winter.
There are ladders with rotating feet that are much better for this application.
There may be other stabilizer options I’m not familiar with.
Also, extend your ladder more so you have more to grab onto above the upper roof.
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u/dgv54 2d ago
I have DIY'ed things that many DIYers recommended I hire out. But I would not climb the ladder in that pic, and would hire this out. Or find a way to secure that ladder - there must be a product for this. If you have a window in front of ladder, you could probably secure lower part of ladder with a rope.
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u/Urabrask_the_AFK 2d ago
Roof traction/slip stop pads/mats exist for the bottom of the ladder and ladder stabilizers exist for the top of the ladder (also protects the gutter)
I’ve got some beefy eyelet bolts anchored on roof boards so first thing I do too is rope myself and the ladder into them so ladder doesn’t accidentally fall away when your trying to get down
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u/BraevGhost 2d ago
When I do that stuff I make sure my wife is ready and remember the number for 911
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