If you are living in an apartment or a home, ladders always come in handy for painting, around-the-house improvements and maintenance, or just hanging pictures. You can choose from several kinds, sizes and materials, and a visit to a local hardware store or home center will quickly help you determine the size and kind of ladder you will need. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Determine the various chores around the home that might require a ladder. You may need a ladder to reach high ceilings to clean or paint, or to get to the roof from the outside. Decide if it will be needed for quick and basic chores, such as reaching an item on the top shelf of a closet, or if it must have its own attached shelf to hold tools or a paint can.
2. Learn about the kinds of ladders on the market. There are three basic kinds for the home: straight (some have an extension to reach higher areas), step ladders (as few as 2 steps to as many as 10 or more) and step/extension (which can serve as both a step ladder and, when opened, as an extension ladder). Several additional commercial variety ladders are available that can be positioned in various configurations. These are not necessary for basic chores around the home unless you have special indoor/outdoor architectural features.
3. Determine the various quality classifications of ladders. Step/extension ladders include consumer, commercial and industrial grades. Metal ladders, usually made from aluminum, require little maintenance. Wood ladders should be treated either before or after purchase with a sealer or varnish to keep out moisture. Fiberglass ladders are made from rugged materials and have become more popular.
4. Pay attention to basic safety. Ladder rungs should include nonslip treads. If a ladder does not come with this protection, you can purchase adhesive-backed strips in another part of the store and apply them yourself.
5. Determine the available storage space for the ladder. A garage or shed can house a large step ladder and an extension ladder. Only a small step ladder can be placed in the back of a closet in an apartment
6. Understand more serious safety issues. Wood and fiberglass ladders are nonconductive and offer a margin of safety when working near electricity. Aluminum's strongest advantage is its light weight in combination with its strength, but metal conducts electricity.
Tags: step ladder, around home, basic chores, chores around, chores around home, Determine various
