A ladder is a necessity in any house and a ladder stabilizer will provide the peace of mind to climb to higher places. As with every tool the ladder presents a great deal of risk in that once the climber goes up the ladder there is a possibility of accidental falling.
A ladder stabilizer comes into play here in such that it increases the stability of the ladder; the stabilizer is an accessory that is made of wide tubular arms that have skid free rubber pads. The pads can be used with any ladder but are advisable since the stability of the ladder is challenged with increase in height of the working surface. However the ladders cannot be used with folding ladders, and any misuse of the stabilizers might lead to their breakage.
Choosing a Ladder Stabilizer
When one is choosing a ladder stabilizer one has the option between a fixed depth and adjustable stabilizer. The fixed depth stabilizer is installed over the ladder by sliding it over the ladder’s rungs and then fastening it in place by use of a clip. This type of stabilizer normally measures around 45 inches and hold the ladder at a distance of around 10 inches from the wall, more to that it can comfortably support a weight of about 300 pounds.
The adjustable ladder stabilizer on the other hand uses ‘U’ bolts. The fixing of the bolts is done on the ladder rails. This makes the adjustable stabilizers versatile in holding load; they can be adjusted to a narrow width or a wide width depending on the workload. Just like the fixed ladder stabilizer it can hold weights of up to 300 pounds.
In using ladder stabilizers one should not stand on the stabilizers, this might be dangerous and might cause freak accidents. One is also advised that one observes the weight limit of the stabilizer, some people tend to overload he stabilizer, even though it might not beak instantly one lowers its strength and the stabilizer will soon break. Even in use the ladder stabilizer should be checked for stability and secure fastening, especially if one is dealing with high heights, so if one is using either he fixed or adjustable stabilizers it is always advisable that one checks them for perfect holding and fastening.
Since you may not need a ladder often, you might consider buying a ladder stabilizer a waste of money. If you’re doing an attic conversion, then you’ll definitely want one. If you value your safety, there is the option of renting a ladder stabilizer.
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