Ladder Or Scaffolding? Here Are Some Jobs That Will Require You To Choose
When you have a to-do list of outdoor projects that requires you to work several feet off the ground, your first inclination might be to reach for a ladder. While this tool can certainly be an ally, you might also think about renting some scaffolding instead. Some jobs are better suited for a traditional extension ladder, while others are easier and safer when you're standing on scaffolding. Here are some jobs and which tool you should use for them.
Pressure Washing Your Siding
Renting a pressure washer to clean up dirty or mildew-ridden siding can dramatically improve the look of your home. For this job, you'll want to be standing on some scaffolding. Working with a pressure washer can be physically demanding, given the strength you'll need when the water is spraying. Additionally, the use of a pressure washer can make a ladder's rungs slippery and unstable. You're better off opting for scaffolding for this job.
Putting Up Christmas Lights
There's certainly no harm in using scaffolding to put up your Christmas lights, but the fact that you need to move along the edge of your gutters (if that's where you're displaying the lights) makes this job a little easier with a ladder. Scaffolding will keep you stable for this task, but you'll need to disassemble and set up the scaffolding sections multiple times to get the job done. As long as you're careful, a ladder is the way to go.
Cleaning Your Gutters
Like putting up Christmas lights, cleaning your gutters is a job that will require you to move from one end of your home to the other. This makes this task easier with a ladder, given the ease with which you can climb down, slide the ladder along a few feet, and then climb back up. While you'll need to be careful to avoid leaning too much to either side when you work, a ladder is ideal for this task if you have someone holding the base for you.
Replacing A Window
If you're the do-it-yourself type and have opted to replace one of the second-floor windows in your home, scaffolding will keep you safe while you work. Windows, even when they're small, are very heavy. This means that climbing a ladder while attempting to hold onto a window is a bad idea. On scaffolding, you can set the window down beside you while you make any necessary adjustments, and then mount it in place with standing securely.