Fiberglass ladder lifespan? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

DavidC · 04-14-2009, 04:45 PM

I've been on the ladders a lot recently and noticed that one has almost no color left to it. More pink than orange now. Made me wonder how long they are expected to last. TIA

Good Luck
Dave

Aggie67 · 04-14-2009, 05:41 PM

We base our ladder lifespans on inspections. Conditions that warrant retirement are:

Cracked, delaminated, warped or frayed fiberglass
Loose or missing rivets, loose gussets
Missing feet or any damage to feet that causes ladder to wobble
Cracked, kinked, bent, torn steps or top pad
Cracked, kinked, torn, loose or wobbly locking arms
Missing weight/certification placard
Missing or damaged pulleys
Missing or damaged rung latches

(We never retired a ladder because it was pink.)

Framer53 · 04-14-2009, 05:50 PM

We never retired a ladder because it was pink.)>>>>>>>>>>>.
I think that should be a new company policy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tinstaafl · 04-14-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidC

Made me wonder how long they are expected to last.

Sorry Dave, but you might as well have started a pricing thread. Harvey Homeowner could probably keep one of those in his garage, pull it out 5 times a year, and easily get 30 years out of it.

Freddy the Framer could kill one in less than a month.

davitk · 04-14-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinstaafl

Sorry Dave, but you might as well have started a pricing thread. Harvey Homeowner could probably keep one of those in his garage, pull it out 5 times a year, and easily get 30 years out of it.

Freddy the Framer could kill one in less than a month.

This is a very legitimate issue; I often wonder how safe those bleached ladders are, relegated to a life tied to a roof top rack. UV is hard on my skin.

Kgmz · 04-14-2009, 07:05 PM

http://www.nietc.org/resources/4/dow...%20ladders.pdf

**ProWallGuy** · 04-14-2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kgmz

http://www.nietc.org/resources/4/dow...%20ladders.pdf

Excellent link, thanks!

rbsremodeling · 04-14-2009, 07:18 PM

I only use the ladders when they turn pink. Lets me know that they have been tested. The color pink also matches my tool pouch and socks snap snap

davitk · 04-14-2009, 07:44 PM

I will implement a semi-annual ladder rail waxing program, beginning tomorrow. Non slip wax, Trewax brand, of course

Tinstaafl · 04-14-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davitk

This is a very legitimate issue; I often wonder how safe those bleached ladders are, relegated to a life tied to a roof top rack. UV is hard on my skin.

I never intended to belittle it; I certainly do agree that it's a legitimate concern. However, interesting as the PDF referenced by Kgmz

is, it really does little to address the OP question. Appearance and surface texture have nothing to do with whether you can get away with climbing the thing while balancing one end of a 300 lb LVL.

But really, this is on a par with deciding whether that 2x12 you have laying out back is suitable for a walk plank. Set it up, bounce on it a couple of times, and let experience be your guide.

DavidC · 04-15-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kgmz

http://www.nietc.org/resources/4/dow...%20ladders.pdf

Again, excellent link.

And I didn't mean to say pink, I meant salmon.

The ladder in question seems to be just as stiff and stable as the others we own, just faded. Still way better than the wooden ones we used to oil twice a year so as to be caught completely off guard when a rotten rung snapped under your feet.

Good Luck
Dave

tomstruble · 04-15-2009, 07:43 AM

i would say as long as the rungs are tight the locks and feet ok and there is no splintering your good to go

woodchuck2 · 04-15-2009, 06:25 PM

Both of my 10' step ladders have faded from the sun but they work fine, they are now stored indoors at all times. All of my other fiberglass ladders stay out of the sun too.