Exactly! I have a slightly different one, but same concept.
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Same! I usually test from the outside first. But occasionally I forget.
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Gotta say, that thought never crosses my mind, but I often pause to speculate on “if these walls could talk.”
A few years ago, I was in a 130-year-old home that the owner had researched the history of it and had made a large table book on the people who had lived there. It was genuinely fascinating.
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For 2 reasons, 1, is septic’s in the winter. jack hammer through the frost to get to the lids, and to bust out old cleanouts on cast iron piping to scope sewer lines.
Brave man! I only have a 17 and Ill never climb it fully extended.
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You are going to find that ladder inadequate as it only reaches 15 ft. and you can’t stand on the top rung (your reach is only about 18 foot).
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Ladders are an essential tool. This combination serves me well:
- 6’ step ladder (attic hatch access)
- Step stool to test CO & smoke alarms plus whatever
- 16’ extension ladder (gives you about 13’)
- 24’ extension ladder (gives you about 21’)
There are others; I have a “Little Giant” that is very versatile but heavy. It can substitute for my 6’ step ladder and 16’ extension ladder.
There is a hook ladder that some use for steep roof access. Like said above, 32’ extension ladder, but that one will be huge and might be a challenge to use. I haven’t needed that length for my market.
You know, I never liked that 3’ above the eaves’ thing. I watched those videos of people doing it and I tried it when I first started out, and I hated it. I’m a particularly tall and lanky person. I put it about 1.5’ above the eaves and essentially step over it going onto the roof. Coming back down, I approach it crab walking with the ladder slightly to the left of me, then reach across my lap with my right hand and grab the far end of the ladder, pivot slowly on my left foot as I kinda step over it to the first rung with the other.
I don’t like it. I understand I’m deviating from what’s apparently the norm, and I’m very open to trying new things, but it’s just what feels best for me. 3’ above the roof gives the top end a lot of leverage. I feel like I should barely even touch it. When it’s lower, I can steady myself on it a little bit while leaning back on two other points of contact on the roof while I make the first step off onto the ladder.
I also got a set of quick clamps to secure the ladder to the soffit, like I saw in one of @jerck’s internachi videos, but I haven’t felt compelled to try that yet.
But honestly, I haven’t really needed a higher ladder. I choose not to ever mount the roof from the second story elevation, and I’ve progressed pretty well with my drone flying. I also enjoy crawling out of windows.
Black forest area. In the Neckar Valley
Normally, I set my Little Giant to be a foot or so above the eave. Once, I casually set it about 3’ above the eave. My clients commented that I understand OSHA rules. Turned out they are OSHA inspectors.
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door opener thingy?
I believe they are talking about a shove knife. We use them in the fire department for non-invasive entry for certain types of doors.
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OSHA rules only apply if you have employees. This is not to say they are not best practice, but they have no jurisdiction over one man companies.
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OSHA does have jurisdiction over one man companies hired by another company as a subcontractor. Home Inspectors who work as subcontractors fit into that category. Same applies to employee hired home inspectors. It’s a slippery slope. Fortunately, it’s unlikely to see OSHA at a residential job.
I have never used that much. But I have gone a ways up, just to get a close up pic of the shingles and check gutters. Now i often use binoculars or drone. Honestly the drone has helped me find more defects that I would not have normally been able to see. Its a great tool.
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At that point you fall under the OSHA umbrella of the company that hired you. It is on them.
In the process of acquiring a flir one pro. It’s not the top of the line but it should do what I need it to do for now.
Black Forest Area, small town called '“Horb am Neckar” , that’s why I named my business “Neckar Valley Company”
What do you need it to do?