Here at Ladders UK Direct, we offer a wide range of aluminum ladders including step ladders, extension ladders & combination ladders (like the one you see above). The reason why aluminium is such a popular material is that it's not only lightweight, but it's incredibly durable too. Both of these qualities are really desirable when you're manufacturing a piece of equipment that needs to be easy to manoeuvre and last for a long time.

How should I store my ladder?

Storing any kind of ladder correctly is the key to prolonging its life - that's why we always recommend that you keep your ladder in a secure, dry place like a garage or shed. While aluminium isn't a material that's prone to rusting if it's left out in the rain, there are some potential risks to leaving it outside, we'll get to those shortly. For now, let's take a look at the correct way to store your ladders.

First, you need to find a storage space that's big enough to fit the ladder in question. If you've got an aluminium extension ladder, you should be able to concertina it down so that it's fairly compact. On the flip side, if you have a step ladder or single-section ladder, you're going to have to work around a set length. 

In an ideal scenario, you'd keep your ladder stored up off the floor. This not only keeps it out of your way, but it also ensures that it isn't laying in any damp or dirt patches. A ladder storage rack or ladder storage hooks are a great solution if you don't already have something like this in place. 

Read More - Ladder Storage: How to Store Ladders

Why shouldn't you leave an aluminium ladder outside?

As we've mentioned, aluminium isn't a material that's prone to rust, in fact, it's one of the least corrosive materials on the market - but that doesn't mean that your aluminium ladder is completely impervious to the effects of rain. Chances are, your ladder will have plastic or rubber feet as well as other parts made of materials that might be damaged if they're left outside too long. 

Not only will keeping your aluminium ladder inside ensure it's in good working order the next time you come to use it, but it will also prevent your aluminium ladder from being stolen. Nowadays, with the cost of aluminium on the rise & people facing a cost-of-living crisis, you can never be too careful with your DIY and construction equipment. An aluminium ladder that's laying in plain view in your garden is an easy target - so why risk it? Keep your ladder somewhere nice and secure so that it's ready and waiting for you when you next need to use it.

So, if you're wondering whether or not you should store your aluminium ladder outside, our advice would be - no! Do yourself a favour and pick a more secure spot where your ladder will be safe from the elements & from thieves. 

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If you're new to the world of construction you might be asking the question - is it safe to put a ladder on a roof?  Well, here at Ladders UK Direct, we offer a wide range of ladders that are specifically designed to be used on roofs. Today we're going to take a look at these roof ladders to show you how safe & effective roof ladders can be when you need to access your roof or chimney. Roof ladders allow you to work on the top of any building in a safe & secure manner. Here's how...

Why use roof ladders?

Roof ladders are designed to be used on the roof itself, which means you'll need to have a suitable extension ladder to help you reach the required height first. People have asked us whether it's safe to put an extension ladder on their roof, and the answer is a definite no! Extension ladders are designed to be used on stable ground & they don't have any features to secure them to the roof itself. Chances are if you put an extension ladder (or any other traditional ladder) onto your roof, you're going to end up injured. They simply aren't built to be used on roofs!

If you do need to work on your roof, it's paramount that you purchase a suitable roof ladder. The roof ladder should be able to reach from the eaves to the roof ridge, so bear this in mind when you're choosing. If you're unsure which of our roof ladders is right for you, get in touch with our expert team. We're more than happy to help.

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Are roof ladders safe to use?

Yes! Roof ladders boast a unique design with a hooked top that makes them perfectly safe to use on most roofs. They also feature wheels so that you're able to get them into position with ease. Every element of the roof ladder's design is there to ensure that you can work at height safely. 

How to use a roof ladder

1. While standing on a secure extension ladder, push the roof ladder up and onto the roof. The wheels should be in contact with the roof tiles & the hook should be facing upwards.

2. Unlock the safety clips and push the roof ladder upwards so that it reaches the top of your roof. 

3. Once the ladder is in place, secure it by locking the safety clips in place. Then, flip the ladder over so that the hook reaches over the apex of the roof and secures the ladder in place.

4. Before climbing onto the roof ladder, give it a tug to see if there's any movement. If there's excessive movement, consider re-positioning the roof ladder in a more suitable place. 

Note: Always ensure you are wearing the correct PPE before you climb up a ladder or onto a roof. If you don't have sufficient safety equipment or training, do not climb onto the roof.

Our best-selling roof ladder!

This Lyte Double Section Roof ladder is one of our best-sellers! Here are some of it's key features:

• Made of lightweight aluminium

• Combines the strength of a trade ladder with a heavy-duty ridge hook for stability

• Rubber coated bars that evenly distribute the weight across the roof

• Secure safety catches

• 150 kg maximum load

• Industrial non-slip rungs

•  Available in: 2.94m-4.64m, 3.44m-5.64m, 3.94m-6.64m, 4.30m-7.67m

Order Now >         Shop All Roof Ladders >

If you have any questions about our roof ladders, we'd love to hear from you! Take a look at some of our other resources about roof ladders below.

Read More: 

- How to Use a Roof Ladder 

- Roof Maintenance Checklist

How to Clean Gutters

Cleaning the gutters isn’t a job that homeowners look forward to, but if your gutters become clogged up with debris, your home and garden could be susceptible to water damage.

When should you clean your gutters?

Ideally, you should clean your gutters twice a year. Once in spring and once in autumn.

• It’s easier to clean your gutters in dry weather
• Clean gutters under trees more frequently
• Double-check your gutters are clear before storms

Tips for cleaning your gutters:

CLEAN FROM BOTTOM TO TOP

The safest way to clean your gutters is from the ground up. Please do not attempt to clean your gutters by climbing on the roof.

DON’T OVERREACH

You might be tempted to overreach when cleaning your gutters so you don’t have to reposition your ladder. This could lead to serious injury. Always keep your waist between the rails.

USE A TROWEL OR GARDENING GLOVES

Removing a build-up of leaves and debris from your guttering can be difficult. A garden trowel or pair of gardening gloves can help you get the job done quickly.

USE A HOSE TO FLUSH YOUR GUTTER

Once all the debris has been removed, you can give your gutters a final flush with the hosepipe. Run the hose at high pressure to clear stubborn blockages.

Don’t want to clean the gutters yourself?

If you don’t fancy cleaning your own gutters, don’t worry. There are some alternatives for you to consider!

• Hire a professional
• Install gutter whiskers
• Add a mesh guard
• Use a plastic cover

What are the best ladders for cleaning gutters?

There are a few different types of ladders that you can use if you want to clean your gutters out safely. Here are some of our top picks:

• Professional Double Extension Ladder
• Domestic Double Extension Ladder
• Hymer Platform Step Ladder with Handrail

You can browse our full range of ladders & step ladders that are ideal for cleaning gutters head to www.laddersukdirect.co.uk.

When it comes to choosing the right kind of ladder for a job, you might find yourself asking - is an extension ladder better than a straight ladder? It really depends on your circumstances. Let us help you find the answer!

1. How high do you need to reach?

If you're looking to complete a job at a relatively low level, a straight ladder might be the best option for you. Most of our straight ladders reach up to 5 meters, so you'll easily be able to complete first and second-storey jobs - that's why they're so popular with our domestic buyers. However, if you need to work at a height of 5 to 10 metres off the ground, an extension ladder is going to be your new best friend. 

2. How much storage space do you have?

When the storage space you have available is long and narrow (for example, down the side of your garage), we'd recommend you buy a straight ladder. These fixed-length ladders have a very thin profile but cannot be collapsed, so a longer, narrow storage space is ideal. If you don't have space to store a straight ladder, our extension ladders are generally more compact and shorter in length once they're in the 'closed' position. However, they can be quite bulky compared to our straight ladders, so keep that in mind if you only have narrow storage space to work with. 

3. Will you need to travel with your ladder?

If you work in a trade it's likely that you'll need to fit yourself and all of your equipment into your work van in order to travel from job to job. Our extension ladders can easily fit into the back of most vans and cars, making them ideal if you're someone who spends a lot of time on the road. Our fixed straight ladders can be a little trickier to travel with. Most people resort to attaching them to the outside of the van (eg. via a roof rack) so that they make it from job to job in one piece. 

4. Do you have any special requirements?

For more complex jobs, for example, where electrics are involved, you may need a ladder made of a certain material, eg. wood or fibreglass. Our straight ladders come in wood, aluminium, steel and fibreglass. Our extension ladders come in aluminium, steel or fibreglass. We always recommend that you read the specifications of your chosen ladder carefully, that way you can guarantee that your chosen ladder is fit for purpose. 

If you're still unsure whether an extension or straight ladder is right for you, why not drop us an email? Our sales team will be able to guide you in the right direction.

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