Thanks for sharing that - yikes. Luckily where I need to use the ladder the
feet will be on the stairs and blocked by the back of the stairs. ---
Steve


"Dennis Turner" wrote in message
...
On 12/6/2005 5:12 PM or thereabouts, Steven L Umbach appears, somewhat
unbelievably, to have opined:

I am going to some day paint the ceiling and the walls in our 17 foot
high foyer and replace the light fixture. Home Depot has reasonable rates
on ten foot scaffolding but there is a section that I can not reach with
the scaffolding. We have four steps up to a landing and then a right
angle for the rest of the steps to the second floor. I could use
extension poles, etc to do that part which is above the stairway but I
was wondering about using my 16 foot extension ladder there. My concern
is will the wall be able to support the ladder and me [I weigh 230 lbs]
without damage or even breakage? The walls are standard half inch drywall
on 2X4 spaced every 16 inches. The ladder has the usual rubber boots on
the end. Thanks. --- Steve




I painted my 20 foot high foyer from an extension ladder with no damage to
the drywall. I did have one rather frightening moment, however. The floor
was marble tile at the time (since redone in hardwood), and as I was
painting I felt the ladder begin to move down the wall. My mind was filled
with visions of myself splattered all over that hard marble. Fortunately,
however, the ladder stopped slipping when it fell off the 6 inch step down
into the living room and reached carpet. I was certainly shaken, but not
splattered.

Be aware that those rubber feet on the ladder don't necessarily grip well
on very slick floors.

--
As a child, my parents thought I was an idiot-savant.
Now, however, it is rather clear that I'm simply an idiot.