FAQ’s

Specialised window cleaning ladders with rubber fittings can be rested on strong windows and offer more grip on smooth surfaces; however, there is always greater risk when leaning a ladder against windows. The higher you climb up the ladder, the greater the pressure exerted on the window. You need to make sure the combined weight of ladder and climber won’t exceed the strength of the surface. Window pads or ladder mitts can be used to sure up your ladder if you wish to use it in this way, but, where possible, always use a strong and reliable rest. If you deem the task to be too dangerous, it might be worth looking into alternatives such as scaffold towers or extendable tools.

The regulations do not apply to DIY usage; however, they are a great resource to learn from and apply to your own practice. The regulations will help you avoid injury and damage to property. If you want to learn more, a free PDF file explaining the fundamentals of WAHR can be viewed at Working At Heights – The Law

If you have a double or triple extension ladder with 19 rungs or above, there needs to be a three rung overlap at each extension to ensure structural integrity. If you own an extension ladder with less than 19 rungs, a two rung overlap at each extension is required.

Class 2 trade ladders were replaced by the European EN131 class. An updated version of the new standards was introduced in January 2018 for implementation by manufacturers and retailers in 2019. Changes were made to design and testing to make products safer for use.

EN131 extension ladders cannot be separated into single ladders as they are not intended or tested for such usage.

Neither plastic nor metal gutters are sufficient to withstand the combined pressure of ladder and climber; however, ladder stand offs can be fitted to help in this situation. They will redirect the force onto the building rather than the guttering.

A ladder needs to extend 1 metre beyond the roof. This makes access to the roof less strenuous and returning down far less dangerous. If the ladder is below the required clearing, you may be forced into awkward crouched positions to get back on.

There are a number of precautions you can take to prevent a ladder from slipping during use. The most effective way to prevent a sideways slip is to secure the ladder at the top using a ladder stand-off. If you’re working with another person, the best course of action is for one of you to act as a ‘foot’, physically securing the ladder while the other climbs. To secure your ladder from the base, you’ll need to use safety mats. These rubber mats offer enhanced grip on both even and uneven surfaces, reduce damage done to the floor, and reduce wear to the rubber fittings on your ladder. Another way to reduce the risk of slipping is to be as direct to the area you’re working as possible. Leaning can be extremely dangerous as de-centralised weight distribution will increase your chance of slipping or falling. Try not to use the ladder in poor weather conditions, around significant obstacles, rested on slippy or unsound surfaces, and always remember to use the stabilising bar.

Ladders should be set up at a 75 degree angle. An easy rule to work by if you don’t have an exact way to measure degrees is the ‘1 in 4’ rule: 1 metre out for every 4 metres up.

Yes, it is, as long as they are securely fitted to the rack. Straps or bungee cord can be used to do this, but the safest, most reliable way to secure your ladder is to use ladder clamps. These clamps can be used in conjunction with padlocks to help prevent theft. As an extra precaution- once your equipment is fitted to the rack- take your vehicle on a short tester trip to make sure everything is safely locked down. Be aware that depending on the overhang of equipment from your vehicle, you may be required by law to take additional safety measures to ensure other road user’s safety. These measures may be as simple as tying a high-vis vest to the end of your equipment to offer greater visual awareness and perspective- it depends on the length of the overhang. If you’re interested in transporting your ladders safely, our Burton Tube and Wire ladder clamps are cost-effective, secure three ladders per pair, and ship with padlocks included. Ladder Clamps

Combination ladders are a popular choice as they can be used as both stepladders and regular ladders; a multi-purpose ladder saves money, effort, and space. We stock the industry favourite Hailo pedal adjustment combination ladder. These ladders offer enhanced adjustability, allowing you to work on uneven surfaces, steps, and pavement. If the work you plan to do is primarily on stairs, combination platform ladders are the perfect fit for you. Hailo S100 ProfiLOT Pedal Adjustment Combination Ladders

We stock a number of loft ladders that come with a hatch included. To check if the one you’re interested in comes with a hatch, click on the specifications tab. This will display if the ladders include the hatches or not.

All our loft ladders come with a stowing pole as standard.

To ensure that you get the perfect loft ladder first time round, you’ll need to take a number of measurements.

1. Floor to floor – The distance from your upstairs floor to the ceiling. As ceiling heights can differ room to room, measure this distance in the room with the loft opening.

2. The length and width of your hatch opening – These are your lofts opening dimensions; they can sometimes be made bigger or smaller to accommodate certain ladders.

3. Vertical and horizontal clearance space in your loft – These are the distances either vertically or horizontally from the hinge end of your hatch to the nearest obstruction. Keep in mind this measurement is to be done to the nearest obstruction, whatever it is, not just to the roof timber or wall.

4. Folding swing distance – This is the space available for the opening procedure of the ladder. For this measurement it’s best to find the ladder’s opening dimensions first, then you can measure the room to make sure it has the space for the ladders intended functionality. Click on the specifications tab to find out more about any ladder and its dimensions.

5. Landing space – This is the space available for the ladder feet to touch down at full extension.

The best ladder for a loft with limited vertical clearance would be a concertina ladder. While fold away ladders are readily storable, they require an arc clearance space because they come to a rest just beyond the hatch opening. Concertina ladders require less vertical space as they sit on top of the trapdoor.

As building regulations in the UK vary between local authorities, no one ladder would fit the bill. Generally speaking, loft ladders don’t have to adhere to building regulations; however, if you would like to try and find one that does, be sure to contact the proper local authorities to find out exactly what the regulations are.

We don’t offer installation services; however, all our loft ladders come with easy to follow instructions, making fitting process as simple and intuitive as possible. You may want to hire a qualified tradesperson to fit your ladder for you. Our website offers a search service to help you find loft ladder installers local to you. Find the link by clicking on the ‘Instructions’ tab present whilst viewing any loft ladder.

Yes, the platform of any ladder is included in the number of treads.

It depends on the height of the handrail above the platform. Following the three points of contact rule, if the rail is too low, it will force you into a dangerous position to keep a hand hold. If the rail is high enough to grip comfortably and all four feet of the ladder are on a level surface and secure, it’s safe to use the platform. Remember the higher you climb the greater the risk of toppling, so always consider doing tasks like this with a partner.

You should buy fibreglass ladders or steps if you plan to do any work around electricity. Where as other ladders are made from conductive metals, fibreglass is an insulator that can withstand up to 25-30000 vaults, making fibre glass ladders essential for electricians and other tradespeople that work in dangerous environments.

Our delivery service is usually 2-5 working days depending on the ladder and stock. We aim to dispatch all items within 24 hours; however, please allow 14 days for dispatch of items that are out of stock at the time of purchase. We can organise next day delivery for telephone orders for an extra fee.

We ask all customers for a phone number during the checkout process, so the courier will have your contact details; although, they won’t always call before delivery. If you wish to be notified on the day, it might be advisable to contact the courier service directly and request their driver call you.

Unfortunately, no, we don’t deliver on weekends. Carriers normally only deliver Monday to Friday, so if you pay for next day delivery on a Friday before noon, you wouldn’t receive the unit until Monday earliest.

Standard delivery to Wales, England, and Scotland (excluding the Highlands and islands) is free. Delivery to Northern Ireland starts at £40.00. Delivery to Southern Ireland starts at £55.00.

If you contact the courier and request that your item(s) be left with a neighbour, the driver will deliver them as instructed.

If you’re not in when the courier attempts to deliver, they will leave a card with instructions on how to reschedule the delivery or letting you know that they will attempt to deliver again the next working day.

A ladder stand off will secure your ladder at the top, and a non-slip ladder mat can be used to secure your ladder from the base. Using one or preferably both of these accessories will greatly reduce the risk of slippage. If you work on a lot of uneven surfaces, a leveller mat will act as a much safer base than the floor.

We currently stock the Burton Tube and Wire standoff.
Ladder Stay / Stand Off

And our levelling mats.
Ladder Leveller

The best way to transport your ladders is to mount them on a roof rack using ladder clamps. Ladder clamps are considered superior to rope or bungee cord as they are more reliable, require less effort to use, and prevent theft. If you plan on transporting your ladders on the roof of your vehicle, make sure it’s in proper accordance with laws concerning overhanging loads.

We recommend our ladder tags that come in packs of ten, including both clear plastic tag holders and the inserts to fit inside. Each insert is green one side, indicating a pass, and red the other, indicating a fail. Both sides of the tags have space to record a unique item ID, the inspection date, and the date of the next scheduled inspection. Ladder Tag x10

You can use a safety harness as long as the ladder is securely fixed in place. There are a few different types of harness and lot of different types of ladder, so take extra care you’re using the right harness in the correct way.

You should consider using a scaffold tower instead of a ladder if the intended rest is not strong enough to support the combined weight of ladder and climber, e.g. windows. If you’re working at height for long periods of time, a scaffold tower is essential. The large surface offers greater freedom of movement and space for equipment. Another reason to use a scaffold tower is if obstructions would force you to use a ladder dangerously, e.g. leaning to complete a task.

You should not use your ladder if it’s damaged. You can either repair it, or replace it. If you plan on discarding your damaged ladder, we advise you make the ladder unusable to prevent someone salvaging it and injuring themselves.

You should give your ladder a quick check before each use. You’ll need to check for anything that might be missing or damaged. If your ladder hasn’t been in use for some time, it’s imperative that you do a thorough inspection. A good checklist will include:

Stiles – Are they bent or cracked?

Feet – Are they damaged or missing?

Rungs – Are they bent, loose, or missing? Is the tread worn?

Locking system – Does it function as it should?

Platform – Does the platform have any dents?

Other – Make sure no bolts or small structural components are missing.

Workplace ladders should be inspected regularly and results recorded in a visible and legible manor.

The old standard Class 1 ladders are fine to remain in use so long as they’re damage free and functional. As soon as the ladder is deemed unsafe for purpose, it should be replaced by the new EN131 Professional Class ladders.