On Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:51:04 -0400, dgk wrote:

I have an aluminum extension ladder that I use every other year or so
to get on the roof, otherwise it takes up space in the garage. Can I
just leave it under the deck in the backyard? It will get wet but
shouldn't rust although I guess the rope that operates the extension
will rot and need to be replaced. Will the mechanism itself develop
problems?

I hang my ladders from the garage ceiling. I built boxes over the door to
hold the feet, then mounted 2x4s across the ceiling, with eye hooks in them. I
then hook ropes with doggy clips tied to the ends across the ladders to keep
them against the ceiling (and the feet planted in the boxes). A rope and
pulley makes them easy to put away.