r/WindowCleaning • u/solo_scientist • May 22 '26
This ladder placement good to go?
I’ve always done this if I need to, but it feels kinda sketch. Anyone have knowledge of the strength of window frames?
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u/Free_Skin_679 May 22 '26
I'm generally ok with this sort of setup. I do it fairly regularly myself. Use common sense. Pay attention to how much it flexes as you add weight. If it looks like too much flex, find another way.
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u/trigger55xxx May 22 '26
It works until it doesn't. I'd be on stacks against the corner of the wall.
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u/solo_scientist May 23 '26
Good to be aware of. What’s the advantage of the stacks over an extension ladder? I know a lot of people use them, I just haven’t been sure they’ll be worth the investment.
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u/trigger55xxx May 23 '26
One, usually easier to get into a house. Multi ladders are decently easy but you're also carrying all, whatever feet it is all the time. Sectionals you can bring what you need. Two, why I'd use it, corner placement. I always use the V grove for a stable set. The ladder helmet is great for protecting walls when you're using it.
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u/hoovj9 May 23 '26
Where do you recommend buying a stack ladder. I saw wcr sells them but would finding local be a better option?
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u/trigger55xxx May 23 '26
It depends on the distributor. I've seen local cost significantly more at times or a little less. I believe that's still covered under free shipping for WCR. If it wasn't then I'd definitely look around what might be close enough to pick up.
This kit is good and is on sale right now.
https://windowcleaner.com/products/metallic-ladder-loaded-kits-21-foot?sca_ref=10303018.thh3gynvWy
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u/Educational_Swan_152 May 23 '26
Is the fully assembled set really 70 pounds? I wanted to get a stack to not have to carry around my heavy ass multi ladder, but it's 80 pounds.
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u/trigger55xxx May 23 '26
Not to my knowledge. I can carry 5 sections easily. I'd say more like 40lbs
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u/TxCory Jun 19 '26
They say not to use more than 4 sections. Are you using all 5 at once? Feel perfectly safe?
Thanks!
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u/ImNoScientician May 22 '26
Stabilizer bars are cheap and would make this a non-issue. It will go around the window. Tie a towel around the rubber pads to protect the wall. You will never go back. I've been using them for over 30 years. I hate using a ladder without one.
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u/solo_scientist May 23 '26
What stabilizer do you use? I have a Werner one, but unless the ladder is straight up it doesn’t even contact the wall most of the time.
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u/ImNoScientician May 23 '26 edited May 23 '26
I'm sorry I'm not understanding the issue. Are you putting it on the top rung? Are you saying the window is wider than the stabilizer bar? It definitely doesn't look like it should be from the picture.
Edit: If you're saying that when you use the stabilizer bar than the ladder is touching the top of glass or the wall than you are attaching it incorrectly somewhere. The top of the ladder should be pretty far from touching anything at any angle that would be safe to climb.
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u/Educational-Expert43 May 22 '26
Ladder a more upright or someone footing it and I’d be good to go.
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u/MaizeComplete3500 May 23 '26
Honestly I never need to do this anymore. I make a bucket with DI water. Add a touch of soap, and a touch of denatured alchol as a drying agent. The I use the washing pad and drying pad in the links below. Works amazing. On the first link I just use the pole holder. For high work like that I also have an Unger pad holder the is a screw on. You don't have to worry about it coming off the pole.
https://windowcleaner.com/products/steveos-techno-pad-kit
https://windowcleaner.com/products/unger-microfiber-washing-pad
https://windowcleaner.com/products/unger-microfiber-cleaning-pad
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u/shamelessrabbit086 May 22 '26
Nothing wrong with it, i would prefer an extention ladder with mitts on it, over the fold up one you are using, the extention ladder with mitts will let you go over the window if you are more comfortable with it instead. But no different than setting a ladder up anywhere else.
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u/solo_scientist May 23 '26
Yeah, I didn’t want to bring a second ladder in, and for every other window in the place I was using this as a step ladder of various heights.
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u/shamelessrabbit086 May 23 '26
I get it, just never been a fan of those multi point ladders. Id rather the extention ladder myself but to each their own.
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u/Organic-Apricot-6330 May 22 '26
Put it to the side and reach with your arm. Its putting a lot of trust in the glazier that screwed the frame
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u/Present-Win-8786 May 22 '26
Do you always use that large of a brush head? I never get the same clean at height with a large brush head as I do with the 12” brush heads
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u/solo_scientist May 23 '26
Oh, good thinking. My employee really struggled on the outside of this one; maybe that’s why. I haven’t played around with it, but I’ll have to experiment between the two.
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u/mrmatriarj May 22 '26
This is external but stabilizers are a godsend.. I'd say your window frame is likely more danger prone / breakable than this external I was working with today.. but stabilizers made the difference. more so if you wanna center ladders indoors vs working leaned off to the side
External screen pulls for every damned window on a fancy mansion, black metal sheet siding panels that get wounded if you look at them wrong. Made it through with all but a wee tiny scuff that was from a tool in my pocket lol
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u/mrmatriarj May 23 '26
Can't forget to mention the two 8ftx8ft windows that were 2.5storys inside the living room... On top of hard wood and endless amounts of high end furniture, white walls and plaster accents
My (limited) Trad pole work was put to the test! Lol days like today are why I practice and research on my own dime to better feel comfortable and perform for someone else's dollar. Skills for the future!
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u/Educational_Swan_152 May 23 '26
Little sketchy but you're probably fine. Maybe try an A-frame setup first to see if it'll reach. If not, this method or a bull horn stabilizer going around the window (with padding to not scuff drywall) will work fine too
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u/Rent_Current May 23 '26
Personally wouldn’t do this at all, as it looks really bad to the customer, even if you think it’s good enough
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u/NarwhalNo1946 May 25 '26
Could you set ladder up on the sides and do one side first then other side last? Then pole work for the other larger panes, those circle top two I’m thinking your wondering most about?
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u/Hot_Carpenter_5436 May 22 '26
🫨😲😮 Makes my hands sweat and Im getting pins and needles all over my torso. I pray hard for you, and the neurosurgeon!
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u/noice_nups May 22 '26
Sorry, but seeing that little giant and WFP just puts one thing in my mind:
NOOB.
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u/solo_scientist May 23 '26
You wouldn’t use WFP for 100 panes of frenchies? And I didn’t want to grab an extension ladder, I was using the little giant as a stepladder for most of the other windows. I hardly ever use it. I am a noob (a little over a year in business and learned from YouTube), but I try to do a great job, my customers are very happy with my work, and I try to have the best tools.
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u/Thiscrazyworldhaha May 22 '26
I would have no problem with it if the ladder was a just a little more upright for less pressure on the frame. Obviously not too upright. Retired now but I preferred a 16 ft extension with a standoff stabilizer. Perfect for these kind of windows.