Roof access - why buy a ladder?

After completing my addition, I now find that the only way to get on my roof is to go purchase a 32' extension ladder (maybe). I may need to go even more, but the fact that I ONLY need it to clean out a set of gutters.

The fact that I have no trees around my house means that some other objects usually are blocking the gutters. I have found tennis balls, tennis shoes, newspapers, drink cans... did I mention I have children? :)

Anyway, considering the cost of a ladder that I am only going to use twice a year at most, I have no reason to buy a 40' ladder. On the other hand, it is a major PITA to go to "insert rental place here" to get a ladder.

Has anyone just gone and installed an access hatch to the roof? I know it means a hole in the roof, but properly installed, I cannot believe it to be any worse than a power vent or skylight.

Comments?

Reply to
cgilley
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I hate to tell you this, but your house is too high. Worse yet, it was constructed incorrectly. Your house should have been built to be telescopic. When you want to clean the gutters, the upper floors should overlap the lower floors and retract, leaving the gutters only

6 feet off the ground. After cleaning them, push a button and the house goes back to normal height. I suggest you rebuild the house.

Mark

Reply to
maradcliff

make sure you don't waste any money on safety lines, or the like.

just drink a few shots, then go out to the edge of your roof, then start cleaning your gutters.

Reply to
phlegmatico

snipped-for-privacy@bravesw.com wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

There is that ladder they sell on TV that folds down into a small size.

Reply to
RobertPatrick

I had a 2 story house [Altadena, CA] built in 1926. The flat central portion of the roof would have been inaccessible as the sides were steep and covered with barrel tile. The access hole never leaked while I lived there. Might be more work/expense cutting in than just buying a ladder.

Reply to
John Keiser

I *like* you :)

Reply to
cgilley

Wise guys :) It's what I get for posting late at night. Although I am learning toward the idea of tossing certain boys onto the roof, I think getting the 40' ladder one last time, add the covers, and then my woes should be *minimized*.

As far as leaning over the roof, I concede that it is starting to bother me.

Thanks for the feedback... going to look for plans on a trebuchet.....

Reply to
cgilley

Yeah, if you need a 32 footer to access it, hanging over the edge is a little harrowing. And it's going to get moreso as you get older. Look into some gutter covers - questionable value for keeping out leaves, but should work just dandy to shed tennis balls and shoes.

Reply to
Ranieri

For gutter cleaning I got 2'' PVC in 10' sections. At the top I used made a U. Attach a shop-vac brush to the end of the U, attach the bottom of the PVC to the shop vac. Vacuum away. Setup to cleanup takes about

1/2 hour & I needn't get out the ladder.

Crappy diagram:

+--+ | | Brush --> + | Gutter--> |_| | | | | | _____ Shop Vac-> | | | | -----
Reply to
kyle york

Have you ever worked at the edge of a roof? Not many people like to be leaning over the edge of a roof. I install shingles and don't like to be right on the edge. Also not good to walk on roof. It shortens the life of the shingles. Buy the ladder you will need it for other things like cleaning the siding, gable vents, etc.

Reply to
calhoun

"....but don't order yet! You also get this 12 piece steak knife set......"

;-]

Reply to
Dr. Hardcrab

C,

Since this is basically a gutter cleaning problem why not spend the money on gutter guards?

Dave M.

Reply to
David Martel

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- dadiOH ____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06... ....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that. Get it at

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Reply to
dadiOH

This might be a good time to teach the kids the physics behind a trebuchet. Build it in the backyard, throw the occasional cow or anvil into the neighbor's yard, and, when gutter-cleanin' time comes around, fling a kid onto the roof.

Reply to
tm

formatting link

-- dadiOH ____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06... ....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that. Get it at

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Reply to
dadiOH

....snipped...>

That is just silly. There is noting wrong with the height of his house, it simply has the GUTTERS installed too high! Just install the gutters at about 7 ft, or perhaps at a comfortable height for the ladder which you own now.

Reply to
Lawrence Wasserman

My city has a "Lend a tool" program. All I have to do is show up at the shed when it is open and prove my residence by flashing a water bill and they will lend me ladders, lawn tools, saws etc for free.

Check your city hall website, you may have a program too.

Reply to
PipeDown

you must have been subconsciously recalling that old Looney Tunes episode where Daffy Duck was a door to door saleman pestering Porky Pig to purchase his wares.

One of which was some kind of retrofit onto Porky's home, where he pressed a button, and the top level came down like you describe.

Of course, after he pressed the button again, and the top level returned to normal height, the lower level was in a complete shambles (all crushed).

Now, for all you serious fans, there was another episode, where Daffy was pestering his wares to a guy wanted by the cops, and at the end of the episode, Daffy helped him blow up his house (via a gas leak) - Daffy was about to open the door - then BOOM !!!!! and he's yelling at the thug, "hey bub ! I know what you need !! you need a house to go with this door knob !!"

t-t-t-t-hat's all folks !

Reply to
Dr Doom

Just buy a cheap used gun and shoot the kids. Problem solved !!!!

Reply to
weeniebeater

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