Even with the ladder at the correct angle, it can still
tip sideways if the feet aren’t level with each other and on solid
ground.
It’s unsafe to stack boards, bricks or other stuff under
one of the feet to level the ladder. Instead, scrape out a shallow trench under
the high-side foot (photo
above). The claw of a hammer is perfect for this task, and it’s
almost always handy.
If digging is impractical because your site is steeply
sloped, or you want to set the ladder on stairs or some other uneven, hard
surface, don’t opt for a makeshift solution.
Instead, buy
adjustable leg-leveling extensions ($40 to $80) that bolt onto the bottom of
your ladder. You’ll use them often if you live on a sloped lot. To see what’s
available, check the ladder manufacturer’s catalog or a store that sells your
ladder brand.
Dig a trench under the high-side foot when your
ladder is on uneven ground. Flip the shoes up when you’re setting up the ladder
on soft ground. The spurs will dig in and prevent the ladder from
slipping.
Jump on the lowest rung to set the ladder firmly
and to test for stability. If the ladder tips to one side, move it aside and
adjust the depth of the hole.
Tie the top for extra security
If you plan to make several trips up and down while the
ladder is in the same location, it pays to secure the top to keep it from
sliding. This is especially important if you’ll be stepping onto a roof
(photo below).
Ties will prevent the ladder from sliding sideways as you step to and from the
roof. Using the setup we show has the added advantage of protecting the edge of
the shingles. It will only take a few minutes to screw the two eye screws into
a 2x4 and the 2x4 to the fascia board. You can keep the rig handy for future
use. You’ll be left with a few small screw holes in the fascia, but that’s a
small price to pay for this extra measure of security.
Here are a few more tips
for steadying the top of the ladder. If you have a choice, set up the ladder
where there’s an adjoining wall, chimney or other structure to hold it in
place. Also, if you regularly set the ladder against the same location on your
metal gutters, add extra gutter straps to strengthen the gutter in the area
where the ladder top rests. Then install eye screws out of sight above the
gutter to provide anchors for securing your ladder with rope or
wire.
Secure the top of your ladder by tying it to a
solid anchor. Make a reusable anchoring rig by screwing two 3/8-in. x 2-in. eye
screws into a 32-in. length of 2x4. Then screw the 2x4 to the fascia with 3-in.
deck screws.
