Is this a SAFE repair?

[JDgreen227]

Guys, I know we are all advised to NEVER try and repair a ladder, but I am very attached to this as it was my dad's at one time. It is the bottom section of what was formerly a Type 1A Louisville 24 foot fiberglass extension ladder. Have no idea where the top section is....

My brother borrowed it last month, and the side rail about two thirds of the way off was hit with something, so it is slightly cracked. One pic shows the damage. I use this ladder ONLY for gutter cleaning, and at no time is my 175 pounds at the top of the ladder, only about 2/3rds of the way up. Even then, the crack barely spreads.

I used a pair of steel angles to repair it, cutting out the sides to fit around the rungs snugly. The bolts a 1/4 inch grade 5, with locknuts. It is braced both inside and outside now.

So tell me, would you have any misgivings about using this ladder? Thanks.

 

[RoyJackson]

So tell me, would you have any misgivings about using this ladder? Thanks.

I'd use it...

 

[grsthegreat]

I Also wouldnt be worried about it.....if i were only 175#. But those days are long gone HAHA.

 

[devildog1]

If it was me, just like Roy I too would use it.
DevilDog

 

[johnrex62]

I won't scare you with pictures of some of the ladders I had to use in the past. Let us just say your patch is more substantial than any of those ladders I referenced from my past.

 

[grsthegreat]

Ever been on one of those wooden tripod ladders..now THEY are scary. Especially a 14 foot tall one

 

[Treemonkey1000]

Hey I like those wooden tripod (orchard) ladders. I would use that ladder as well. I'm 150lbs soaking wet. Throw on my climbing harness and spurs and saw brings me up to about 180+.

 

[deereman75]

Ever been on one of those wooden tripod ladders..now THEY are scary. Especially a 14 foot tall one

Any wooden ladder is scary if a lot of the steps are loose, and some of the brackets are broken/missing, and it is starting to rot.

 

[SandburRanch]

GOOD GAWD, when you see the aluminum one I use for gutters because it's light weight, that I repaired with a piece of aluminum angle, you, the wife and all the grand kids wouldn't be afraid to get on that one you repaired.:thumbsup:

 

[hawkeye08]

Go ahead and use, but I would be cautious about loaning it out or letting others on it. It is one thing to accept the risk and use something yourself, but for someone else (or a friend of someone else) that does not fully understand the risk could get hurt (especially if they have the trouble with gravity that I have).

 

[jonyyuma]

If you are refering to the huge wooden ladder that slides a center section up thru the middle.We called it an A frame ladder..weighs over 200 lbs. and the center section flops to either side with your weight. they were used to reach some street or parking lot lights, if you had no hyd.lift?

 

[ray66v]

I agree that I would accept the risk and use it, but would not let others take the risk.

What worries me most about fiberglass ladders, is deterioration from sunlight. You don't know when it is too far gone for safe use, until it fails.

I don't expect to see 175# again soon, either.

 

[ray66v]

If you are refering to the huge wooden ladder that slides a center section up thru the middle.We called it an A frame ladder..weighs over 200 lbs. and the center section flops to either side with your weight. they were used to reach some street or parking lot lights, if you had no hyd.lift?

I believe that is a trestle ladder.

 

[PapaPerk]

I'd hang it high on the barn wall for old time sake and go buy a new one. Isn't worth worrying over.

 

[ruren]

I'll vote no for a few reasons.

One, you asked the question, which means it worries you and for that reason alone I would replace it with a nice 16 foot extension ladder for cleaning the gutters.

Our fire department ladders get tested every year. I never though much of it until I saw one fail during the test with a little over half it's rated load on it. It looked fine to me before the test and seeing it fail left an impression that a damaged ladder isn't something to mess with (that's why we test them every year).

Finally, your fix is really neatly done, but it hides the crack. If it gets worse between the plates you would never know it until it pops through to the other side of the beam. It might last 100 years but I wouldn't want you to be on it if it doesn't.

 

[devildog1]

Our fire department ladders get tested every year.

Not trying to start an argument here but most Fire departments have the very Best Ladders and equipment as they should have and they use them way more the we would.But then remember they do not pay for them we do.
DevilDog

 

[mjw357]

That ladder will never, ever break where you repaired it. As others pointed out, I would be more worried about the deterioration of the fiberglass as it ages and takes the abuse of the elements. But to answer your question, yes I would use it to clean gutters, no worries.

 

[digger2]

Nice job fixing it.I myself would use it.No problem.

digger2

 

[BobRip]

Test it with a load. Perhaps the crack is a symptom of general deterioration, indicating the ladder is ready to be junked.

 

[PapaPerk]

I can't believe everyone is all for using a broken ladder! WTF?! :laughing: