When a ladder doesn't really fit

[Danglerb]

I've got a drip in the wall 12' up behind water heater in drywall finished garage with stairs in front of the water heater. Drywall is wrecked and getting ripped out without much issue, but the only spot for a ladder is the space next to the water heater the washer was moved from, and the worst part is that about 8' up the wall angles into the garage at a 45 deg angle, putting the leak about 3' in from the face of the wall. All the pipes are attached to the studs on house wall, not the angled garage part.

A two step up platform worked great for the initial drywall removal, but not for the rest above 9' or so. Ladder I have is a nice heavy (my weight) rated, Gorilla 12', but I don't get close to a decent angle as I go higher. Is it legit to use straps to lash the top of the ladder to the studs in the wall, or do I need to rethink the whole approach?

 

[jakemac]

I think we're going to need some pictures to better visualize this.

 

[risc]

Only you can really judge what's safe for you and what the falling risk are but here's an idea. Get some ubolts and bolt the ladder to a 2x4, screw or lag 2x4 to wall.

 

[Git]

Hard to visualize (pic would certainly help) but situations like this is where one of those 'aluminum planks' come in handy with the use of two ladders

something like this (or just a regular 2x):
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Werner-...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-100658407-_-100658954-_-N

 

[Siding Pro]

Do you want the ladder close to the wall but it doesn't fit because it's too tall and hitting the ceiling? Just trying to visualize what you wrote. Like risc said, only you can judge what is safe or not. I know I've done set ups with ladders that were not by the book but in your own house there won't be a safety inspector haha.

Or if you're trying to put a lean on a step ladder like you would an extension ladder, make sure to "chalk" the bottom somehow so it doesn't kick out, you can also strap it to the wall from the top, If you have any scrap aluminum laying around or u bolts like another poster suggested.

Technically you shouldn't use step ladders this way but it's up to you if you feel it's steady enough.

 

[bczygan]

You can never have too many ladders.

I have 10 or so.

Bill

 

[bczygan]

Bakers scaffold?

To the original question. Whatever you can cobble together will work as long as the members are sized to support the load and are fastened properly.

Bill

 

[Danglerb]

I'm photo challenged, but will attempt to take some pictures tonight, plus I need to show off new vise.

 

[Two Door]

Nail horizontal two by fours across the studs to make your own ladder?

 

[kctyphoon]

Sometimes you just need to do what you have to.. as long as you feel safe doing it.. you wouldn't be the first person to get creative with a ladder.

Worst case, maybe you can rent some drywall stilts if you really can't get a safe approach with a ladder.. or just get some 2x4s and build a temp platform to work from.

 

[metaldad]

just be careful will ya?
a fall could be pretty painful

 

[rharman]

just be careful will ya?
a fall could be pretty painful

Just ask Bronson...

 

[Dustball]

A two step up platform worked great for the initial drywall removal, but not for the rest above 9' or so. Ladder I have is a nice heavy (my weight) rated, Gorilla 12', but I don't get close to a decent angle as I go higher. Is it legit to use straps to lash the top of the ladder to the studs in the wall, or do I need to rethink the whole approach?

If you've got exposed studs where you're working, can you not build your own wood platform and screw it directly to the studs?