Ladder Problem

[MisterFish]

I am not sure whether this is the right place in the forum to post this. If it isn't I hope that someone will tell me and then I can post it in the right place.

I need to install some network cable on the outside of my house. I need to bring the cable down from the top floor, (entry point is 26 foot above ground level), to the ground floor.

The problem is, I am doing this at the side of my house which is a passageway bounded by my side wall and the neighbours sidewall. The gap between the walls is 4 feet.

The rule of four would generally indicate that I need about 6' 6" for my ladder to have the safe 75°.

Is there any generally accepted workaround for this? Is it possible for instance to use eye bolts to fasten the ladder to my wall to make it safer, or is the only real alternative to have scaffolding erected, (which seems like a huge expense to fit one cable).

Any thoughts gentlemen? Thanks.

 

[blup]

A secure wall against which you can safely lean the ladder would help greatly with stability even if the angle is sharper. A fall from height is a fall from height.

Blup

 

[MisterFish]

For sure. Men can actually fly perfectly well. It's landing that's the problem.

Both walls are solid and flat. My main worry is that the ladder at 26' plus off the ground, with a foot spacing of 4' is going to come off the wall quite easily, especially when I start drilling through a solid brick wall. If that happens, I have a vision of myself then travelling "round the clock" to the deck as the ladder goes over sideways.

This situation can't be particularly rare. I was just wondering how others have mitigated the risk.

 

[Old Salt]

Sidewall of the house? What about a timber strut (or 2) bracing the ladder from your neighbours wall.

 

[Alec_t]

My main worry is that the ladder at 26' plus off the ground, with a foot spacing of 4' is going to come off the wall quite easily, especially when I start drilling through a solid brick wall.

You too will come away from the wall easily, so getting any pressure on the drill will be difficult. Been there, tried that.

 

[scbk]

Sounds like a job for a scaffold tower.

 

[Tigercubrider]

You shouldn't really fix diy things onto your ladder but.....
I would wedge it against the neighbour's wall, over to yours.
Before doing that I would fix a horizontal rail to the top- about 1.5m or 4 feet. That should stop the ladder twisting.
Drilling off a ladder is difficult at any time and is easier with a decent drill (sds) and go up in sizes.
Three points of contact on the ladder at all times.
A screw eye might be an idea

 

[foxhole]

Drill from inside out?

 

[JaimieH]

Drill from inside out?

That's too simple. Where's the fun in that.

 

[datarebal]

forget the ladder. 26' is a long way up trying to do a job that needs two hands. Most people would poo their selves trying. scaffold or access platform..

 

[Notch7]

Rod Hull

 

[JohnD]

Drill from inside out?

The correct answer.