Lifting an Extension Ladder and Safe Climbing Practices- Warsaw, Syracuse, Goshen, Columbia City

This is a video showing how one person by themselves can lift an extension ladder from the ground, into a position against a home or building. We also mention a few safety tips to consider while climbing up and down this 24’ extension ladder including how to set this ladder up at a proper, safe angle prior to use.
Matthews' Painting Company, LLC
[phone]
matthewspainti...
8055 E 500 N
Leesburg, IN 46538

[@billygoat9381]

I climb ladders and my company did not teach me this. Thank you for making my job safer. My company sucks.

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure!

[@monoelmono9476]

A simple thing of putting that ladder against the building. There is me carrying it like a looney and almost smashing everything in my path. Thank you! Lol

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@ChadPst410]

Same

[@PortraitoftheArtistasanOldDog8]

See how I go but nice to see the demo thanks! 👍🏻😁

[@kevmar2010]

Wish I watched this video yesterday… 🫤

[@deankay4434]

I have oversized tent spikes that pass thru holes in the ladders pads I enlarged slightly. I have two 2 X 4 hardwood lumber about 18" long to place on grass or uneven surfaces to keep it pinned in place & straight.

[@michael-hd3nc]

Best ladder safety video I have found. Watch it repeatedly to get the ideas to stick.

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad to help.

[@dootscat3798]

You’re a good man. Probably saved people’from going to the hospital. I wish I could hire you in PA! Thanks.

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you.

[@Bill37nj]

a lot of flaws in their product . so many law suits . Every time people turn around gotta hire ladder forensic engineer . ladders made by a bunch of monkeys . go Louisville ladders .

[@tyson9419]

@Bill37nj Idiot

[@chemicalman53]

An excellent video. Within a minute you have done all the introduction needed and already am working with the ladder. Not a moment did I feel information was unnecessary and your explanations of the Why's for the Do's and Don'ts were clear and easy to remember. Thank you.

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad this helped you.

[@terrenceboylanjr]

Perfect. So simply and clearly explained. SOPs for every process saves time, money, and prevents injury. Well done

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you.

[@cometcal2]

I like how you explain the logic behind your guidelines.

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you.

[@wonderwhat4]

Thanks for the video. Safety videos are always appreciated for those of us who haven't dealt with something before. I had no problem with a typical smaller extension ladder for the home but when I had to buy a much larger extension ladder the length and the added weight were unexpected when I actually had to start using it. Last time I used an extension ladder I was in my '20s. Now that I'm in my '60s I had to be a little bit more cautious on how to handle that size of a ladder on the house. Thanks for the video.

[@SunofYork]

I am 75 next month and swinging the 24 foot ladder around shows me how much strength I have lost... I use ratchet straps and screw-in anchor points (into studs) to stay safe and stop it going sideways. Anything to make it easier and safer..... After 3 days on the ladder I fell much more trained up and strong, but after a winter on the computer I am much weaker... My dad used to deliver 112lb sacks of coal by hand and he said the first 3 weeks is torture, but then you get strong and its easy after that

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@LadderMover]

I agree, he did a great job on this video. If you want some help moving your heavy ladder please take a look at the "Ladder Mover".

[@richardchelton3808]

Great Information for handling the ladder with one person. I just purchased a 28 ft. extension & was surprised by the weight. Your advice definitely will make my job easier. Thank you!!

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@AltruisticWarrior]

Oh man... mine is the 32' fiberglass pro and it's sturdy but boy it's a heavy thing to move by myself but I have no other option. 😪

[@DaRealKing303]

​@@AltruisticWarriorouch

[@earthgirlsusan]

Well done video! No fluff, just straight information.

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you. Glad you liked it. Stay safe!

[@milagrossmith4891]

Excellent video. I have not seen anyone explain in detail how to do this. It would seem like it is self-explanatory but there are things that you need to know. Thanks a lot

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure Milagros!

[@Julia-qc8pi]

Great instruction thank you. I was feeling a bit apprehensive about using an extension ladder, I'm more confident now.

[@Matthewspainting]

You’ve got this Julia!

[@debramccreery]

Ahhh. Thank you for solving the problem of the short fulcrum (me) reaching the ladder's tipping point before it is vertical. The wall can be my new best friend. 👌

[@Kolby.with.a.K]

I didn't know how much I needed this! I own a pressure and soft washing business and use ladders for roofs. TY!

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure. I am glad it was helpful.

[@tonyaction5284]

Awesome tips!!! I can use your video during my safety training. I’m a GC Superintendent and am always looking for safety tips that can help me avoid injuries and even fatalities. In years past, I’ve witnessed way too many. Thank you sir🙏🏼🤙🏼

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure Tony!

[@SunofYork]

Superb video..I have been shinning up and down my 24 foot ladder for years and these techniques would have saved me a lot of frights and strains.. Subscribed !

[@Matthewspainting]

Happy climbing!

[@peepiepo]

This is good, other guides I looked at skipped over the actual way to raise the ladder up.

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad you liked it.

[@LoveJesus2324]

Getting ready to hang Christmas lights on a victorian about 8 ft up. The house sits on a busy city corner. I will look so professional now that I have watched your video. Also, I will probably be able to get the job done without chickening out. Thanks!

[@Matthewspainting]

Wonderful!

[@gary1739]

Thanks for the informative and helpful video! Man, I've been doing it wrong for years and this will help keep me safe.

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad to help

[@paulharast1958]

I friend of mine left a 40 ft aluminum extension ladder and I had to get new feet, rope and locks and I was trying to Figure out how to lift it. For a garage roof it was easy but to get it up my 2nd floor house I just couldn't figure it out. Your video was very helpful and easy for me to setup my ladder. Thank You So Much For Your information. I will Recommend your videos to other people and hopefully they will follow you. And thanks Again.

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure Paul.

[@synthiasimms4608]

Excellent advice, safety tips & commentary!👍

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you Synthia.

[@jasonm519]

Thank you for these great tips! I knew how to use an extension ladder before watching this video, but now I know how to use it Properly and Safely!

[@Matthewspainting]

Good to hear. Stay safe.

[@anthonytammer9214]

Thank you! I'll show this to my high school students. It has just the right speed of information. Students are confused about the rung lock, maybe you could include that sometime later.

[@Matthewspainting]

Good to hear. The rung lock has to go above the next rung while you are raising the ladder than brought down slowly on that rung so that the back ward U sets in nicely into the rung.

[@maggienbob1304]

Yes. I need that info too! I don't know how to extend it & set it & lower it back. I need a good clear video for that.

[@sheilablackburn9714]

Thank you for the video, I've been lifting my ladder the hard way all these years

[@alexsinclaire1504]

I have to go up 17ft to seal my chimney cap and this video is definitely helpful, i am glad i watched it before i go up there, thank you!

[@Matthewspainting]

Great to hear Alex.

[@seasickmike1604]

Thanks MPC LLC, You just kept me from throttling my sibling, LOL We didn't have the vertical leverage to raise a heavy forty footer until we used the house base brace walk up method. Seems so logical now!

[@Matthewspainting]

So glad this worked out. :)

[@johnduffy6546]

Excellent video. People need to remember that gravity ALWAYS wins! Don't temp gravity

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad you liked it.

[@LadderMover]

Great instructional video! I especially like stepping deep on the rungs to avoid missing that first step when transitioning from fly section to base section while descending. To avoid back injury, you should use “Ladder Mover” to carry your heavy ladders and supplies in one easy trip. Thanks for sharing!

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you.

[@jamesgarr7314]

Thank you for saving me from a fall, or worse. A little bit of know-how goes a long way!

[@Matthewspainting]

Absolutely James.

[@df56gh4d5h]

I want this guy to paint my house. I can tell he's the real deal.

[@Matthewspainting]

Jim W Thank you

[@df56gh4d5h]

Hey you're not that far come up to Michigan and paint my house.

[@Skans-Gustav]

Very nice indeed. Ladders are not allowed in Sweden for professionals, they build scaffolds, but for private practice this looks very useful.

[@darringallant]

Useful tips and well demonstrated, thanks.

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad it was useful for you.

[@sharit7970]

Excellent tips! And well presented... thanks for sharing!

[@billprezioso3677]

One of the more important things you failed to do is to stand on the bottom wrung and slightly bounce the top of the ladder against the building if it falls straight back against the building it won’t fall left or right if you’re on soft grass on leg of the ladder may sink deeper into the ground than the other causing the ladder to shift to one side or the other.

[@Matthewspainting]

Good addition to this video. Thank you.

[@joemurphy4489]

Fantastic video. Best video so far on explaining. Thank you, and well done 👌🏻👍

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hikgerguy1234]

I'm considering getting up on my extension ladder to replace a couple of shutters on a bonus room window above our garage. I really appreciate the thought put into your video and the tip about putting your foot deep into the step (so you don't slide off the bottom two rungs). I feel more confident in doing this after watching your video. One tip I saw to confirm you have the ladder at the right angle (without measuring the height) is to put your feet at the base of the ladder and extend your arms straight out. If you can put your hands on the rung directly in front of you and your arms are fully extended, that's the right angle for the ladder to be at. Haven't tried it, but a couple of videos mention this technique (along with your technique of bringing the base of the ladder out 1' for ever 4' of rise).

[@Matthewspainting]

Yes, I have heard that as well.

[@maggienbob1304]

I loved the pace & clarity of this video. The explanations were very helpful. Specifically about coming down & missing those last steps. Been there. HOWEVER, I need to know how to extend it, set it, & lower it back down. Reading about it isn't so helpful. A nice clear video like this would be helpful. With upclose footage of the parts. Coincidentally bf is a roofer & won't take the time to show me. aarg😒

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad it was helpful. Go to my KZbin page, you may find more ladder videos that are helpful.

[@SuburbanDon]

I use the flats on the rungs to set the distance from the wall. If the flats are horizontal then it's set right.

[@Matthewspainting]

That is also a good way to check the angle of your ladder. Thank you for mentioning that.

[@carial69]

Excellent!!! Thank you for making this video.

[@darrenkennedy6250]

Professional painter here. I try to hold on to the outside rails of the ladder instead of the rungs. Might not be safer, but if you happen to step in dog poop or mud, you won’t have the unpleasant experience of putting your hands in it on the way down. Lessons learned the hard way!

[@Matthewspainting]

Sometimes we do that as well.

[@diasporareturnee]

You, my friend, are a genius! Thanks, man

[@Matthewspainting]

Not quite, but glad you enjoyed the video!

[@peterbarlow8912]

It’s easier if the ladder is completely retracted. Some experts think keeping your hand on the rails is better than hand over hand on the rungs. You can also use the stump of a tree for solo footing a ladder. With shorter ladders KZbin has firemen demonstrating throwing ladders off their arms or shoulders. Momentum is involved.

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you for the additional concepts

[@antoniolagnada]

Thanks for the video. Safety first!

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@doncreque4406]

Great job Jason!!

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you. I hope it was helpful.

[@parmorama]

Brilliant stuff! Thank you 👍

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@mango4064]

Thank you for the vid. Very informative and you just saved me from a trip to the ER or worse👍😁

[@Matthewspainting]

Good to hear.

[@jasonfrantz9432]

Outstanding. Thank you.

[@Listermintsluesh]

just can't muster the dutch courage to climb to the top gutter. I'm gutted. Lol Seriously nicely explained in a clear fashion.

[@Matthewspainting]

I’m glad it helped.

[@5Eternal]

Very good advice. Thank you.

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@SteveRakkar]

concise and clear

[@katier2651]

Thank you!

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure

[@adamsilva5321]

You showed all the safety precautions and for that you're to be congratulated. The only thing missing is after you extended the ladder, how do you get to open the spring locks to lower it?

[@neilwilliams2172]

If the ladder is up leaning against the house how do I use both hands to make sure the clips are braced right? Do you have a video on that? Also, please show us how to use the roller wheel and the rope. Thank you so much for showing us how to save our lives and be careful. Keep up the good work bro. Kudos.

[@Matthewspainting]

Please check out my other ladder safety videos to see if your question will be answered.

[@aishataviator]

Great video

[@gbtedx1157]

SAFEST METHOD : Get someone else to go up the ladder.

[@flash8051]

Good stuff, would have been helpful to show how to extend and retract the ladder safely as well...

[@dycee6832]

Thank you!!

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@dangnguyen9137]

Awesome .. Good man!!!! ❤

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad this helped.

[@russellowen9704]

I think the first thing you should look for before you start is overhead power lines.

[@Matthewspainting]

Very good point. Agreed!

[@julierawlins5984]

Thank you

[@Matthewspainting]

My Pleasure.

[@aros007z]

Awesomeness

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you.

[@yoguy2k7]

Thanks!!

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@gary1739]

I learned something else...NEVER mix alcohol and ladders. I had one cool beer with my lunch (and I have a good alcohol tolerance), and that small amount affected my depth of step at the transition from single to double ladder. Almost fell..

[@tiggywinkle1000]

"NEVER mix alcohol and ladders" Only the legendary Fred Dibnah could do that - a quart of bitter, a couple of Woodbines and a pork pie and he'd climb a 300 foot chimney in minutes, then take a casual stroll around the top to 'take in the view' as he would put it. Ordinary mortals such as we do not drink and climb.

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you for sharing.

[@xyzxyz-hi8lp]

Great educational video. Only one thing. You said the ladder should be out at the base 1’ for every 4’ of height. For the 14’ ladder you said 5’ to 6’ out is a good distance. According to your formula, it should be 3-4’ out. Am I missing something?

[@HaloGTMaster94]

Nice 👍

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you.

[@seanjopson8685]

Brilliant, thanks.

[@Matthewspainting]

You're welcome!

[@jasonli4037]

nice video and thanks for sharing

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@daleshewchuk3523]

This is an excellent video..I need to set up my 24 foot extension ladder at the side of my house with only a 10 foot set back to the property line and a hedge. What would be the safe alternative to using the wall as a brace?

[@twilfon]

I never needed an extension ladder at my first house. I have needed it at this one and developed in correct technique raising the ladder, due to lack of knowledge and my neighbors house being too close on the needed side to lay it out the way you are showing. Maybe if I raised it in the front of the house and walked it around it would be safer and easier than the sideways lift?

[@Matthewspainting]

Be safe.

[@emily_rossii9349]

Thank you from Myanmar

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure!

[@BrendanPowerMusic]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad it helped!

[@laddermachinery]

It is nice and helpful.

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad to hear that

[@AnthonyLeeBand]

Great video, thank you 👍🪜

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@specsbundy1392]

very informative . can you show how to raise a latter when there is not enough space to start with it lying flat on the ground to over the height needed ... I have my sisters house where her neighbors house is about 10 to 12 foot apart but i need the latter to go up higher around 25 to 30 feet.

[@Matthewspainting]

Use a helper to get the ladder up in a situation like that.

[@guitartommo2794]

This is fine if there is space to lie the ladder flat perpendicular to the wall. What if there is an obsruction e.g. a wall, shrubs or trees preventing raising ladder this way? Any tips?

[@Matthewspainting]

You would use another person to “foot the ladder” and bring the ladder down in the same fashion but using the other persons feet as “the building”

[@dereckhenderson2727]

Thanks

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@riveroflifeministry8299]

At about 3:00 you said it was 12-14ft up and 5-6ft out, which is less than 3:1, not 4:1.

[@Matthewspainting]

Thank you. There are also many times a 4:1 isn’t possible either. (ie. Spanning a large bush, if 2 buildings are close together, etc.)

[@jaym9846]

I should've watched this video prior to my visit to the pavement.

[@Brooklynraised68]

Great tips tnx for sharing

[@Matthewspainting]

My pleasure.

[@rcallain2001]

Sorry.. I am confused about the math. Every 4ft h was stated to be 1ft out. You went 12ft up, but said you're 5-6ft out. Wouldn't that be 3ft out? I'm going up 20ft to hopefully paint my chimney , scared out of my mind, is 6ft out enough for me?

[@Matthewspainting]

Typically yes. If you have a slippery surface like a deck below, I would have someone foot the ladder at the bottom. At times we need to come out further because of a large bush that is in the way. Anytime we have to do this, we either have someone foot the ladder at the bottom or if the ground surface is dirt, grass, or mulch, we flip the feet so that the spikes dig into the ground. I hope that makes sense. You could do some research on footing a ladder. It is basically someone staying on the ground, standing at the base of the ladder, with his/her feet up against the bottom of the ladder. That persons feet should be on the ground, not curled up onto the ladder itself.

[@postskeetclarity]

I have to work on the face of a gable peak that extends outward 3 feet, meaning I cant rest the ladder on the wall . what is the best way to position the ladder so that it has a stable at the top.

[@Matthewspainting]

I would really need to see a picture. Sometimes there is not a safe way to achieve this. See my other video that shows the spanner attachment and see if that answers your question. If not, you may have to rent a tow behind lift.

[@jamesciancio6740]

You never showed how to actually extend the ladder and lock in position!?!? What is the rope for?????

[@Matthewspainting]

See some of our other ladder videos for instructions on this. You will see us using the rope to raise the ladder.

[@luiskamacho425]

Always 3 points of contact ... How are you getting your paint bucket up the ladder ? ....also ; How do you move the ladder to another spot let's say you're doing some trim work ? .

[@Matthewspainting]

There are other good KZbin videos that show safe practices to get your paint up the ladder. When moving an extension ladder, we like to keep our eyes up so the ladder does not sway and fall to the ground and we like to move just a little bit at a time. I will try to make a video showing that.

[@edgardestrada7669]

If you say that is 1 foot from wall for every 4 feet high, then if you have 14 feet high , 6 feet off from your wall wouldn't be to much?. 4 feet would be more than enough I think

[@cheryldigital]

thank you!!

[@Matthewspainting]

Cheryl Hebert My pleasure.

[@Marco-kb7vh]

What about how to lock the extension

[@NickiBratz]

You didn't show how to extend it 🙄

[@sshlept8070]

When lower the 32 ft we have at work. The rung locks get hung up, when trying to bring it down. I've tried different angles (straight up, slightly foward), and I've tried slowly letting it try and pass the rung going down, and I've tried dropping it down hard to try and pass the rungs. Seems like it has a mind of its own. Would this have anything to do with the springs in the lock,or the lock itself being faulty. Nothing seems bent or broken. Any help would be greatly appreciated, as it's become quite a safety risk. Last time we used two other ladders to hold the locks open and slide it down, and before that I had to climb it, hold it open, and ride it down the side of a house.

[@Matthewspainting]

Very likely. I would start replacing some of those parts.

[@davidbroccoli6652]

How to lean up your extension ladder with a 4’ roof overhang.

[@Matthewspainting]

I show that on another video. A gutter guard or pool noodles on the back rungs to project the gutters is helpful. You also want to extend it at least 3’ above the roof line for added safety.

[@richport5593]

I'm sick I gotta get on a roof 😂

[@Matthewspainting]

Hope this was helpful?

[@davidjordan2446]

Is there a trick if there is a substantial eve or roof overhang

[@Matthewspainting]

You could raise the ladder using another person to foot your ladder as you walk the ladder upright.

[@alphamale3141]

Suppose that the house wall that you are going to place the extension ladder against has lots of shrubs between the ladder feet and the wall. How do you then stand the ladder up?

[@Matthewspainting]

Use another person to foot the ladder.

[@adam874]

Did I miss the part where you extend the ladder?

[@Matthewspainting]

Yes. That is on another video. Keep searching through my playlist. There are 10 plus ladder videos toward the beginning. :)

[@hippa2dahoppa2]

man i tried this before watching the video. wasnt close enough to the garage. got about half raised off the ground and the bottom came off the ground. next thing you know i looked like a weight lifter benching a ladder. scary lol

[@Matthewspainting]

Ladder safety is very important.

[@larrywoodruff7530]

Wish I'd known this couple weeks ago on how to lift a ladder, I now need hernia surgery, my own fault

[@Matthewspainting]

Sorry to hear that Larry.

[@nicesmack9309]

How would you move the ladder from point A to B, safely?

[@Matthewspainting]

Lowering it is the safest way to move the ladder from point A to paint B

[@nicesmack9309]

@@Matthewspainting what the best way to handle it, when moving it, as the ladder is lowered? especially for 32'

[@ensignj3242]

What if there isn’t enough space between buildings to lay the ladder on the ground.

[@Matthewspainting]

You can have someone foot the ladder while you walk the ladder up between the buildings. Then turn the ladder 45 degrees and lean it onto the structure.

[@switchoff64]

Nice

[@Matthewspainting]

Glad you liked it.

[@cardanorobin4436]

I literally came here to learn how to close the ladder and you missed that very crucial part

[@Matthewspainting]

Keep searching my page. If you go to playlists under Painter training, you will see a video on raising and lowering!😁👍🏻☕️

[@tyson9419]

I literally don’t think you know what literally means

[@ecwashere8735]

NEVER HOLD THE RUNGS, ALWAYS THE SIDE RAIL. This way your hand never leaves the ladder. That's day 1 stuff.

[@Matthewspainting]

I disagree. If your foot slips it is much easier to grasp a ladder rung like you would monkey bars, rather than try to grab the outside of the rails,

[@ecwashere8735]

@@Matthewspainting If you slip while changing rungs, then what are you going to grab? How often are you climbing a ladder at work with a tool in your hand? Pretty often I'd say. The amount of times your hand would be away from that ladder is plenty. Your chance of recovery if you slip during that period is 0%.

[@hazyVADOR]

@@ecwashere8735 The man stated that 3 point contact is a must. If you always have a hand on a rung, then how is your chance 0%? Hm.

[@ecwashere8735]

@@hazyVADOR How are you going to carry tools to the top of the ladder then?

[@ecwashere8735]

@@vurcderc715 So there are times between rungs when you have 0 hands on the ladder correct? Just so we're clear.